Me, Myself, & Lies by Jennifer Rothschild

Chapter 1: Day 2

Is it possible to gain control over my thoughts and my words? Absolutely! Is it easy to do? No. But God is able to help me gain control over my thought life. Jennifer points out that I do have control over my thought closet. My thoughts are embodied in a container if you will, and Jennifer likens the container to a closet. We have clothes/shoes/handbags closets and we have thought closets as well. The thought provoking question for today was, “What does your thought closet look like?” I have to admit that my thought closet had gobs of worry in it. I was oblivious to just how much I worried over things until I began to shift my thought hangers. As I evaluated what was in my closet, I realized that financial thoughts took up an entire side. Then, there were health concerns, family concerns, and concerns for my future. I felt bad because most of the worry was nonsensical. There was no real merit to my worry and nothing to substantiate such concerns—if I were to align my concerns with Scripture. The promises of God nullify all my worry. It does not pay to worry. It is unproductive and futile to worry about anything.

Don’t misunderstand me, I do not sit around looking downcast, pondering over matters. I don’t abandon my work; I am very intent on doing whatever needs to be done. Actually, I smile a lot; I laugh a lot. My affect boasts happiness and joy, so no one would think I worry, but I do. What I do, instead, is harbor thoughts that begin with “what if…” and I manage to sequester them in between other thoughts throughout the day. I consider what if’s as I do my work out, drive to appointments, cook dinner, and even as I take my shower before bedtime. Those what if’s would find a way just to appear uninvited and I would engage in mental dialogue almost subconsciously. I am sure I am not the only one who can attest to this.

This is the predicament in which Satan wants us to remain—unaware. Ignorance is not bliss and when we allow uninvited thoughts to remain unrestrained, we become “passive existers” rather than “active livers.” We are called to live the Christian life with eyes wide open, alert, aware, and on the offensive against our archenemy. That is why the apostle Paul cautions us against drunkenness because if we are under the influence of alcohol we are not able to take authority over our decisions. The substance becomes the authority for however long we are under the influence. When we live without harnessing our thoughts Satan is able to sneak unwanted stuff into our closet. If you walked into your closet and noticed blouses or pants that you did not purchase, you would wonder who placed them there. You would inquire from family members if they had anything to do with the garments getting into your closet. You would toss them out if you did not know how they arrived there. You would be watchful and cautious from then on. We need to do that with our thoughts as well. When worrisome thoughts parade as truth, we must kick them out by thanking God, praising Him, and repeating Scripture. It’s time for a thought-closet make over. By God’s grace, I have begun to become more aware of thoughts that begin with “what if,” and I immediately replace them. This is a new practice and I have already begun to experience a deeper sense of peace in my deepest thoughts. It is God’s peace and the only way to maintain it, is to submit my thoughts to the Spirit’s control. Whatever happens in my life, God already knows and has already provided for that need.