That beautiful Colorado sunrise, like a giant orange diamond rising in a cerulean blue sky! As I slide off my bed and thank God for another peaceful night’s sleep, I thank Him for
Colossians 3:15: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (KJV).
Before I know it, my mind begins to wander to the day’s agenda. And the battle begins. Where did I put my black bag? Should I cook something for breakfast or just grab something on the way? What am I going to wear, and is it ironed? Do I want to take a lunch? I wonder why the kids didn’t call yesterday. I hope they’re alright.
What am I doing? Even in the first hours of the day, I have to bring my mind into line with the Word. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God: and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV).
Don’t get me wrong, there are chores to do, jobs to go to, life that must be dealt with; but our lives are enriched by filling our minds with the Word. Ephesians 4:22-23 reminds us: “Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old, unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life…be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]…” (AMP).
Not only do we need to renew our minds by the reading of the Word, but we must be careful to take into captivity (and cast out) every thought that presents itself against the knowledge of God (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). Any thought or imagination that does not agree with the Word of God is destructive, and we must protect ourselves against it.
Daydreams, unchecked by the Word, will stop our forward motion in our minds, hearts, and daily lives. By following earthly doctrine we will travel down destructive paths of wrong thinking and belief. If we want victory and power in our lives, we can start by setting and filling our minds with things above, rather than on earthly things.
Through media, social interaction, and many of the voices in the world today, society tells us how we should look, act, eat, feel, raise our children, and keep our homes. Yet we don’t understand why our minds go into overload. God has placed all the direction we need in His Word. Romans 12:2 instructs us: “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial, customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God…” (AMP).
Being born again and believing that Jesus is the Son of God who died for us and covered our sin with His blood doesn’t guarantee our thought life will automatically align with our submission to Christ. This takes a conscious commitment to guard our thoughts against the onslaught of the enemy’s intrusion. What we think on determines how we behave. What we meditate on is what we believe. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think on: “…whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there be anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]” (AMP).
Our thoughts affect our attitudes and moods. Watching Hollywood’s version of marriage, family life, love, and security goes against all that God’s Word says we are to be. Listening to the wisdom and advice of the world will lead us into unhappiness and discontentment.
Meditate on the Word of God. “Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes] nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night” (Psalms 1:1- 2 AMP).
So then, the next time you find yourself daydreaming about the life you could have had, the husband or wife you should be with, those perfect children, and all the things you don’t have…just stop! Take those thoughts into captivity and release the revelation of God’s Word into your life.
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