Take Every Thought Captive
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4.6).
"Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
These Bible words all suggest immediacy, that there should be total fulfilment straight away and consistently thereafter, no exceptions.
"Be anxious for nothing": does this mean that we are to be relaxed and confident about everything?
We know that we are to forgive [all] those who sin against us (Matthew 6:12,14), and forgive our self for [all] our failings, weaknesses and sins (Matthew 22:39).
Can I even do this? Is this why we are called to have a "childlike faith" (Luke 10:21)? And even that childlikeness is essential (Luke 18:16-17).
We know that God always looks at our heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Am I truly searching and responding from my heart, from the very core of me?
Is this what sanctification is? That we grow in Jesus to the place where we become fully trusting and thus saintly? I know Christians who are quite lovely, I would even say they appear "holy", but they all acknowledge sin in their lives even now, and doubt too. None of us know what tomorrow will bring. We only know that we belong to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and that He loves us, and has eternally saved us, each one.
Is this enough? Can we get beyond our anxieties and fears? Can I?
I think of myself as a "short accounts" person, I do not like problems to build up. Rather I try to resolve issues in the world, and also to confess my sins to God and repent. At the same time, I am aware that I see only what I know to see. Are there still things from my past which are yet to be resolved? Past events, or even whole seasons, that I don't remember but which still influence and affect me (and those near me), even now?
"There is no [anxiety or] fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love" (1 John 4:18).
Cancer
A few weeks ago, after I was diagnosed with cancer, my newly inspired prayers opened the way for our Lord to show me several hidden areas of unresolved trauma, fear, anxiety and unforgiveness which (I believe) I have now let go and given to Jesus, "cast on Him" (1 Peter 5:7).
Great weights lifted off me and I am aware that Jesus now is taking on those burdens (Matthew 11:29). Those toxic thought patterns are steadily being replaced with Jesus' peace, thus removing stress and allowing my immune system to repair itself and set about healing all of my body. Praise Jesus for His endless love.
My
oncology doctors say that I will be "cancer free" by June, but are
less assured about the type and extent of side-effects from the treatment.
Plenty of room here for anxiety and fear! But I look to Jesus and His great
healing works in my Bible, and in hundreds of people I have seen and prayed
with. Perhaps most of all, I remember how He has so lovingly cared for my
health over many years; that I am alive and mobile today is such a great
testimony to His love and faithfulness!
I am learning to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5b).
As I pray and ponder I keep remembering Hebrews Chapter 11. The many heroes we see there, that wonderful "crowd of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1), are all remembered even now. Despite their very difficult circumstances they were totally committed to God's way, in their hearts. They died, still seeking the "city whose architect and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10), but also, we know that they are eternally alive with Jesus because of their faith, their trust.
I Trust
I
now pray this prayer; I am growing in it. (I know that I am still holding something back, I'm not sure that I
trust everything to our Lord, but do know that that day is not far off):
"Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, please teach me to say truthfully and from my heart: 'I trust the present and the future to you: for myself, for Trish my wife, for our children and grandchildren, for all our extended family, indeed even the whole Christian church'. And: 'I will be fully available, and radically obedient to you Lord'. In Jesus' name. Amen".
Thank you, Lord Jesus. Hallelujah!
Favourite Scriptures
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3).
"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please'" (Isaiah 46:10).
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" (1 Peter 5:6).
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 1:20).
"We destroy arguments and every
lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought
captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Yes. Amen.
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