Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Taking Captive...

Life is about waiting. I know, it sounds simple and obvious, but for me it's sort of a relatively new concept.



I used to obsess over how impatient I was...how much I hated waiting...for anything. And then, sometime after my 30th birthday, when all my vast knowledge kicked in *cough* I realized that life is about w-a-i-t-i-n-g. No matter what my circumstance, I am literally always waiting for something.



Maybe the waiting is not really the problem...the problem is how I'm waiting.



I have a few things going on in my life right now that I am either waiting on God for answers, or desiring to see what the outcome is going to look like. On the outside I can look calm...but on the inside, in my head, I'm playing the waiting game. You know the game, it's that endless chatter in your head about whatever it may be that you're waiting on. It goes something like this, "If such and such happens then I will do this, or if this happens, I will of course do this...oh and I have no idea what to do if this happens...that just cannot happen...I couldn't handle...will that happen?...AAHHHH!!!" It never ends. No matter what I may be doing, the thoughts run wild...which actually brings me to my point.



I want to learn to CONSISTENTLY bring my thoughts captive, rather than letting them run loose in my head all the time. I know how to do it. It involves purposing to STOP the chatter, and replace it with the truth of God's Word. Just as I choose the words that come out of my mouth, or come out through my fingers on this blog, I also choose my thoughts. They do not control me. I control them. It's time I start living out what I know to be true. Today. I'm also pulling this book off my bookshelf...again.



Now...I may need some Excedrin, because its going to be a loooong day ;)




Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:32

23 comments:

  1. "Life is about waiting."

    My daughter (who is 3 years old) always has the same reply when you tell her to wait.

    "I hate waiting. Waiting is so boring!"

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  2. This post seems to be about me! I needed this SO much this morning. Thank you!

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  3. If I start to comment specifically, this will turn into a sermon.

    So I'll just be a good Baptist and holler, "AMEN!"

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  4. I'm totally playing the waiting game....ahhhh!

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  5. Hmmm... That book may be a next read for me. :) My mind is good at going down a road entitled 'panic!'. :)
    Thanks for this Sarah!

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  6. Waiting is something I am becoming accustomed to - I don't like it . . . Not sure I know too many people that do. Maybe by the time I am 90 I will gain a little patience!

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  7. I recently posted this note to myself in our kitchen,"Take EVERY thought captive."

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  8. What an outstanding post! I love how you talk about needing to bring your thoughts captive instead of letting them run loose. Such a very timely focus for me right now. I wish your "tiny town" was closer to me. I have a feeling we'd have a lot to talk about over a cup of Starbucks!

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  9. With God it's always so much more about what's going on in the inside than what kind of an "outside show" we put on. It's about our hearts and I love how you put it, about "how we wait". Good stuff to chew on today, thanks Sarah!

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  10. You are so right on! Well said, now I just need to put it into action. I think I'll add that book to my wish list. Thanks, Sarah!

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  11. I really need to read that book! It truly is about trusting and resting in HIM. I am one that likes to be in control so that is hard for me. But necessary.

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  12. How true! Well, I don't know about the loooong day part, but the always waiting for something part. I'm waiting to see how the rest of my life is going to turn out. I would so like to know NOW so I can plan accordingly!

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  13. Just when I think I have it together - BING - I get smacked right between the eyes! Thanks for the smack - I needed that.

    Blessings,
    Jeanette

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  14. I am in tears right now. I guess God is trying to get my attention, because He just spoke to me an hour ago while I was driving home about this very thing...and now I come and click on your page, and you're preaching, girl.

    Ok, God. I'm listening.

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  15. So true...thank you for your wise words!

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  16. uh this is like everyday the past 5 years of our life. wish i could just turn my heart to Him instead of my thoughts! i haven't read that one, need to probably. praying for you!

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  17. You may find this hard to believe, but I have a similar problem with taking my thoughts captive and keeping my mouth shut. Every day I pray for God to renew my mind and my thinking. It really is a battlefield inside my head too. You're not alone, girl. We're all in the same boat, just trying to live out what we believe.

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  18. Great thoughts on a constant battle. Thanks for sharing your heart.

    Blessings,
    Tracy

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  19. OH MY~ I LOVE LOVE LOVE THAT BOOK!!!!
    I can completely relate, I am was sooo impatient . . .okay, I still am a little! I have to remind my myself of your wise words . . .I control my thoughts!They do not control me!

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  20. Thanks for this post, I'm at that same place right now. I needed to read this today. I'll have to look for that book! Thanks for sharing!

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  21. Hopped over from Breath of Life and I love your post...and your blog! Thanks for sharing!

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