Taking Every Thought Captive
The Lord always gives us opportunities (or challenges us) to “practice what we preach”, which He’s doing for me today, as I face losing my best friend and number one fan, Granny.
Granny is 90 years old and I met her a few years after my own “granny” died almost seven years ago, at the age of 96, and I know the Lord sent her to me to help comfort me, because of how much she is just like mine. They have the same first name, Mary, very similar last names, voices so much alike it’s hard to believe because of how unusual they are, similar health issues (bad vision and heart), and very similar personalities, but most of all, they shared an amazing faith in the Lord. Then, about five years ago, as Granny’s health deteriorated and it was getting more difficult for her to manage living on her own, she moved out of town to live with one of her nieces, so our friendship has been maintained mostly on the phone. We rarely see each other any more, because she can’t travel now and I don’t drive, but I call her every day, several times a day, and we talk about everything from A to Z. Her mind has never faltered, even as her body does, and she’s always interested to hear every detail of what’s going on in my life, and we talk about all of the news and the preaching she sees on TV. So true to how the Lord always works, Granny’s interest, encouragement, and words of wisdom and advice have been such a blessing to me, but I also know what a blessing I’ve been to her. Even though she had a lot of friends here, once she moved, there was little effort to keep in touch with her, and the circumstances of her health tend to isolate her, despite the wonderful and loving care of her family, so our friendship keeps her from feeling so isolated, and she knows what a blessing she is to me too.
Granny’s heart condition has steadily been declining over the past few months and yesterday the nurse said her heart beat is now irregular and she’s having more trouble breathing. Last night we talked about what it will be like when she gets to heaven, and I told her how much I loved her and how much I would miss her, but that I know she is tired of dragging around her tired and worn out body. Even in that conversation, I was able to make her laugh, but I was fighting back my own tears, because I didn’t want her to hear me cry, and it’s not that easy to pull something over on granny! She is determined not to go to the hospital, so we prayed that the Lord would bless her with one last mercy and take her in her sleep when it is time to call her home. I know now that each conversation we have might be our last, but I try not to change them in any way, because Granny wouldn’t want me to.
Besides giving tribute to my number one fan and best friend, I do have a reason for sharing this. Most of the women I minister to struggle with the same issues I’m dealing with today, and that’s taking every thought captive and making them obedient to Christ, which is what the Bible teaches us to do in 2 Corinthians 10:5:
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
We do that by knowing what the Bible says well enough to be able to call it to our mind when Satan attacks us through our thoughts, which is the battleground of ALL spiritual warfare. Jesus demonstrated that when He responded to Satan’s temptations by quoting scripture back to him, as we see in Matthew 4:1-11 at www.BibleGateway.com.
It would be SO easy to focus on how much I’m going to miss Granny, and what a huge hole will be left in my heart and life when she goes to heaven, but thoughts like that make me sad and do not glorify the Lord. So instead, I’m focusing on what a blessing she has been in my life, and how I know the Lord has also used me to bless her, and how the Lord ALWAYS works like that. I’m also remembering Romans 8:28 and reminding myself that this too will work together for good in my life. Then I try to think of how that could be true and realize that the Lord is probably getting ready to move me on to another phase of my life. Perhaps the ministry will grow to the point that it is difficult for me to be as faithful to my conversations with Granny. Even doing the work to get this website up and running took time away from our time together, but Granny never complained even though I know she was disappointed when I didn’t call as often or couldn’t stay on the phone as long. I can think of many things that could happen in my life that would make it more difficult for me to maintain my relationship with Granny, so instead of feeling sorry for myself I can truly thank the Lord and praise Him. I praise Him for the good thing I know He is preparing for me, but also that I won’t disappoint Granny by not being able to be there for her as much as she now expects and relies on. And now instead of being sad, I am expectant, because I know How God works and I’m certain something good is coming my way. Everything in our lives happens for a reason when we’re Christians, and it’s ALWAYS so God’s plan for our lives will be perfected. And we know that’s a good plan based on what Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP) promises us:
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Taking every thought captive to the obedience of what the Bible teaches us is essential when dealing with the spiritual warfare that’s involved in standing for marriage restoration, and the only way we will win that battle is to arm ourselves with the awesome and powerful weapons provided ONLY through knowing the word of God, so PLEASE make sure you’re spending quality time reading and studying the Bible to be certain you can reflect all of the fiery darts Satan will throw at you as you take a stand against him for the restoration of your marriage.