Moving Away From the Mountain

You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north. Deuteronomy 2:3 (New American Standard Bible)

I have been trying to find a verse that epitomized the recent activity of God in my life and this morning I finally found it! The moment I read it I thought, “That’s it!!!!” It capsules the words of 2 Corinthians 10:5 which tell us to take every thought captive.

I once heard an illustration of what it means to take thoughts captive. It gave me a picture of cattle roping at a rodeo with the cowboy lassoing a cow and bringing him down to the ground bound. While that is an excellent illustration it was only part of the story for me. I was missing the other aspect. For me, it is more helpful and necessary to follow the pattern of Philippians 4:8 with its list of things on which to think and meditate.

I have had two areas of thought that have wreaked havoc on my life for the past year or so. One has been allowing my mind to remain focused on a former relationship and the other has been to habitually dwell on misperceptions. In both cases, God is calling me away from the mental mountains. He is saying, “You have circled and camped on this mountain long enough….turn north. Redirect your attention onto that which is uplifting and encouraging. Think on Me, other people, and other situations in your life that will keep you far from the emotional pits.”

Guess what? It WORKS….when I choose to do it! This morning God has given me a mental picture of this process. He helped me picture myself walking this journey but my ankles are shackled (because the issues are still a part of my life) and the shackles have a chain between them. As I “walk” through my day, the chain is lengthened as I take my thoughts captive by dwelling on good things and it is shortened when I dwell on wrong desires and misperceptions. My stride and progress is either hindered or helped by the mental choices I make.

Along with all of this, God has added one necessary step. Ask another person to keep my feet to the fire by frequently asking me how I am doing at applying this step of obedience. I already know who He would have me to be accountable to and I believe the accountability will be a powerful reinforcement for me. I marvel at God’s wisdom and direction. His commands are ALWAYS followed by the “how to” steps and His promise to help me take those steps is embraced!

Father, I long for the freedom You have desired for me all along. Now that You have shown me what to do, help me to daily do it! I follow You! Amen.

Painting Pictures of Egypt - Sara Groves
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZcIA4Cnj6j4


He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16