Oh, Lord God,
How I have been wrestling with this study of Freedom from our Thoughts throughout this week. Where does one go with one’s thoughts. This is my question. Why are we prone to assume that our thoughts are evil and sin-filled and self-condemning? This also is my question.
Personally these two questions scream within me. Daily I ponder my thoughts. Daily I sit on guard of myself, working diligently in controlling my thoughts. Fighting, as with a Sword, the cruelty that resides within my inner self-condemnation, within my thoughts.
Yet, tonight I sit here at your feet surrounded by your words as if they are a belt wrapped tightly around me. Words that straighten my posture. Words that keep me centered. Words that cause my head to relax, to breathe.
These are the words I find myself sitting with. These are the words my heart is pondering louder than that of my internal thoughts. These are the words penned years ago for your daughter today. These are the words of my Father.
The thoughts of the righteous are just. (Pr. 12:5)
Father, this is your thought process. I sit in that truth. I sit in Your thoughts of Your presence in me, making me righteous and my thoughts just. Yes, Father God, I have been sitting in this truth for quite some time. Selah
The simple believes everything; but the prudent gives thoughts to his steps. (Pr. 14:15)
I am not a simple believer. I do not easily believe what is laid before me. That is not my character. That is not my person. Quite opposite, really. Yet, when I speak within myself, simple statements of unjustified depth, I believe me. Lord Jesus, this is causing my heart to want to fight for me the way I fight for my Scripture, for my country, for my family, for my Sisters far and wide. Lord, that I will be prudent in the steps of my thoughts. That they will not stumble me as a simpleton. That’s shameful. That’s gross. But mighty amazing to contemplate at your feet. Selah
Search me, Oh God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! (Ps. 139:23)
Sweet Father, this plea of praise and admiration poured out before you from your friend, David, has been swirling within my core these last few weeks. May I, in full adoration of your love for me, join him in pouring out this proclamation of praise and trust and love?
Father God, You know my heart. Oh! You know it greater than even I. And You call me Yours. You love me unconditionally. You dislike the cruelty that seeps within my soul toward myself, don’t you? My thoughts of me do not walk in step with your thoughts of me.
- God, will you quench my thoughts that compromise your thoughts?
- Will you know my thoughts and make them known to me?
- Will You make them louder than the ones on repetition?
- May I hear and know the thoughts that declare Your truths over me?
I am righteous because I am a follower of Jesus, washed in His blood, raised in His resurrection, and renewed daily by Your Spirit. Therefore, my thoughts are seen as just in Your eyes. Father, that I will comply and see and think in that beautiful truth.
I am prudent -not simple- because I have Your wisdom and understanding deep within my heart and soul. Therefore, my thoughts go before my every step, including my every thought. Oh, that I will remember that I am not simple in believing the foolishness that I muster! Ugh. This is shaking me and driving me toward a victory. I hear your song of victory over me. Selah
Lastly, Sweet Lord, help me to rest in Your arms as You know my heart and my thoughts. That I will trust You to fill my heart and my thoughts with what You know is found in me, thoughts worthy of Your praise. That my thoughts will produce praise upon Your creation and upon Your presence and Your work within me.
In the silence of awe at your feet,
Jaclyn