Comments on: every. thought. captive. {10 :: who I am}

By: Anita Harris

Anita Harris — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:11:00 +0000

I think we all did it as children. But now the stakes are highr. We all have God given gifts for Kingdom service. The adversary wants us to believe that certain service of ministry are move important to God than others. This lie can have many people dissatisfied and out of the will of God. We must constantly be on the look out for the enemy’s tactics. Our instinct may be to compare our service to another’s. But like King David said: ” I would rather be a DOORKEEPER in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. When we get the urge to compare ourselves to others, we must remember that in the end, God loves us all, and our righteousness is ALL filthy rag righteousness. These two things level the playing field and free us allow God to use us in spite of our shortcomings. None of us have arrived.

I apologize for the lenngth, but my ministry is to women and I’ve taught A women’s Sunday school class. I see this mindset play out more than I can say. Thanks for this post. I will pass it on to some of my young women.

Blessings!

By: Lara Gibson Williams

Lara Gibson Williams — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:38:00 +0000

In reply to Flyinjuju.

It’s funny, the more I write about the thought life, the more I realize how complex and multi-faceted it really is.

Yes. I have also battled against jealousy. From “ministry” to motherhood and everything in between. And though it sounds so churchy, I have learned that quoting scripture and praying really does change my perspective. I basically — out-loud — preach truth to myself. Whether it’s jealousy or false thoughts about another, I find that I have to hear the true things in my own ears. So I preach to myself — usually not in Wal-Mart or the grocery store because I would get seriously strange looks. And then that inevitably leads me into a time of conversation with Him. A time of confession and seeking.

I’m not in any way implying this is easy. The Christian life is one of great diligence and perseverence. But we have been given the weapons to bring these thoughts captive to obedience — captive to our Lord. And our weapons are His word and prayer.

Praying for you, sweet sister. Running…RUNNING this race beside you.

By: Flyinjuju

Flyinjuju — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:26:00 +0000

Wow, I feel like most of my life has been lived in comparison, and just recently I felt it creeping towards jealousy. Yuck!! So, when you have the temptation to compare, do you quote a verse, pray, both? I feel like I am struggling putting this all into practice. Looking forward to freedom!!

By: Jana

Jana — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:54:00 +0000

Thank you for the beauty of your honesty. I fight this battle, too. I have loved this series – so much truth!

By: Joyce Wheeler

Joyce Wheeler — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:39:00 +0000

I think females tend to compare more so than males do. Will I do admire strong beautiful woman, I am happy to me. God has blessed me above and beyond measure which I do not deserve. But, I am loved by the King and it makes my heart wanna sing. I love my love, thank you Jesus.

Peace, <

By: Jolenelantz

Jolenelantz — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:38:00 +0000

Thank you Lara for your candid truth. I am studying Ephesians right now…adopted into his family. I choose to believe the truth…good good stuff. Love ya!

By: Faithstepsnfootprints

Faithstepsnfootprints — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:03:00 +0000

Oh, wow, thank you. Just yesterday I was realizing (again) how much our thoughts control our days. In the span of a week I have been touched by death of three people. I wasn’t particularly close to any of them, but death can grab you no matter where you stand. I was thinking yesterday, wondering on the “whys” and realized that if I go there and sink to that sadness, I might not make it back out.
I get so much encouragement from these words. Help finding the solid ground of God and His word to stand on and walk on through this life.
Thank you!
DV-NMV

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:44:00 +0000

Again- your words! You are letting Him use you friend and I love it! Thank you for this series!! Love you!!!

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:02:00 +0000

That was totally me- down to the freckles and brown hair. And when I was that age I didn’t know God or His love or His definition of me. No one ever told me. And so I drowned daily in that comparison for years and years. And still today, I find myself drawn to the waters. Every thought captive has become my mantra. Thanks Lara, for your transparency and encouragement! They mean so much!

By: Rusheika

Rusheika — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:41:00 +0000

OUr thought life is so powerful… some days I can be so content where God has me then I see someone who I think is “doing better than me” and wow… the contentment is gone.. just like that! God is teaching me to fix my eyes on him, to know that he as plans for me that will prosper me, not harm me, that I am loved, I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that he created me for a purpose. Through the grace of God, I can live where he has me… If I look at him, those things I once yearned for fade in comparison!