Take every thought captive to obey Christ

Categories: anxiety, study, spiritual-journey

Date: 10 March 2010 11:31:10

So reads the ESV translation of 2 Corinthians 10:5.

I first came across this today while reading Dith's fine post on Common Thinking Errors, the fourth in a very valuable series on depression management. At the time, given my blog earlier today from work, I saw in it a call to me to not rely on my own efforts alone, which I confess I have been doing; but to present every thought to Christ, in prayer and in hope of Him transforming me and my unhelpful thoughts into what He desires of me. And perhaps there is another tie-in to the earliest blog from today [3 in one day...I must have a lot swirling in my mind today!], about the Journey not the Destination, where it is important to be in the here and now, giving it to God, and allowing Him to direct and guide me.

Fast-forward to tonight and the second class of Reading the Classics. While much was covered, even though -- as with last week -- only a few sentences were read [though I think we may've got to 15 or more tonight...], St Teresa's explanation of how to pray, and Fr Greg Homeming's [OCD], unpacking of it, also led me to ponder this taking my thoughts captive and giving them over to Christ. In brief, for it is not only getting late here but my last blog entries seem to rival War and Peace in their length, St Teresa's advice, and I pray my explanations are faithful [any readers who think not please comment to correct me] was to:

Look to God: look to the Holy Trinity, knowing we are in the Presence of the Triune God, and consider who He is
Look to ourselves: not for self-examination, though there are times for this, but to see where we are at this very moment: as Fr Greg commented, am I hungry? am I sore? then confess and give it to God and continue
Pray to, talk to as a friend as St Teresa advises, God with the awareness of the two examinations above; for our looking at who God is and who we are, at this moment, will form the manner in which we pray, will be the basis of our entering into a relationship with the Blessed Trinity

[aside: what a funky colour ordered lists are with this theme! :) ]

As I said, a summary: and perhaps a poor one at that. But it truly spoke to me in a number of ways. When I pray I tend to, sadly, often see it as something to be done: a list to be checked off. Prayer is love, talking to our beloved, and is not an exercise to be completed but an entering into a relationship. And far too often I try to ignore my current state, physical, emotional or mental, but that is futile because it is where I am at that point in time and while praying, if these feelings have not been given over to God, I dwell on them while trying to pray.

This constant appearing of "taking thoughts captive to Christ" today has, I pray, and will I pray more, be the start of a change in me. I have no doubt I will step backwards, perhaps several steps, but I pray that the little effort I make -- for all we can do is, as St Teresa writes, rather small compared to what God does, but God needs our little effort, our yes, for He always respects our freedom and never forces us even when it is best for us; I can but pray the little effort I make will be acceptable to God and will begin a transformation within me.

Thank you dear long-suffering readers for journeying with me on what was a very intense day. Your reading of my ramblings let alone the comments, prayers, and love, are so greatly appreciated and treasured. My most sincere thanks to you all. May God bless you and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you all: and grant you peace.