Critical Thinking

2 Corinthians 10:4-6
" For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 
  There are times in my life when I feel like I can not handle one more crises or make one more critical decision. Sometimes I feel like I may go into over load at any given moment, weak, tired and overwhelmed.  If you have ever felt like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, I would like to join your club! Then we can have a pity party together! I have them often but the truth is, I'm the only one who shows up. I must say that a party of one is not really a party at all! That's why God had to save us, we just don't do well on our own. In Colossians 1:29 the Bible says that we have a power that works in us mightily. This is a power that keeps us going, a power that fuels us and energizes us. The power of the Holy Spirit! If we understand this we will understand that we never really are alone. He is with us in those times of crises and in those moments of critical decisions. He is there when we are weak, tired and overwhelmed! We have this awesome knowledge and witness of His ever present Holy Spirit. However, we see in our opening verses that there is a war being waged against this knowledge. There are powers and principalities that exalt themselves to be higher than the Most High God. There are strongholds of bondage and sin. These strongholds parade themselves around in our lives mocking us, saying we have no power over them. Strongholds of addiction, depression, fear, anxiety, loneliness and a personal favorite to many of God's children,  a complex of guilt. These make us think we are useless and unable to do any thing for Jesus. Our enemy wants us to believe that we are unable. The devil likes it when we are overwhelmed and feeling weak and tired! he would like nothing better than for us to give up and quit. Oh but God has other plans for these whispers of discouragement that ring so loudly in our ears. They enter our thought process and it is then and there that we can shed the light of truth on them. This is a critical step as we fight the fight for the cause of Christ.  We are told to bring every thought into captivity! Wow, this whole concept could change our lives, our ministries, our families and  our churches. This is about being transformed by the "renewing of your mind."(Romans 12:2) Take every thought captive, put it under interrogation, cross-examine and demand a testimony! I picture this whole courtroom drama going on in my head with my thoughts on the witness stand. It's on the witness stand that we will find some of our thoughts in contempt of court. Some lying while others telling a twisted variation of the truth. Some will try to guilt us over a past sin that is now forgiven and forgotten. Some speak directly against what God has accomplished in our lives. Some speak false witness against others and try to discourage fellowship. One by one they come. One by one they are shown for what they are. They are trying to take the place of the one who is Lord of your life. Our next step..... bring them into obedience! Speak who we truly are to them! Children of the Most High God! There is nothing that is impossible for Him. He is King of kings and no one will ever exceed His majesty! He has saved us, empowered us, equipped us and He revives us! Punish that thought, bring it into submission! The weapons of our warfare are not of flesh. They are mighty in God and strongholds don't stand a chance!