Has your heart ever been heavy? Mine certainly has. It’s so interesting how the day-to-day circumstances of life can leave this weight-bearing feeling on the chest. Extreme worry, fear of the unknown, stress of what’s next, and the seemingly endless overthinking cycle tends to grip the mind so easily. As believers, it’s known how important it is for us to take thoughts captive. That seemed so foreign to me. How the heck am I supposed to do that when all of my thoughts feel so real? What is the point of it anyways?
'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, ' II Corinthians 10:4-5
How do we fight these attacks of the Enemy? We fight not for our place in Christ, for that has been sealed. We fight to reclaim what the Enemy has convinced us is not ours- a sound mind, peace, joy, identity, healing, hope, power, and love. We fight these attacks with the Word of God, through knowing our authority in Him, and living based off of His truth and not our thoughts or feelings. Through the Holy Spirit authority is ours.
It's a common tradition to pray “In Jesus’ Name” at the end of a prayer. We do that because He instructed us:
'And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.' John 14:13-14
'You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 'John 15:16
'“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 'John 16:23
Asking in Jesus’ Name is not meant to be a vain repetition. It is not a magic keycard that just grants us access to whatever we’d like in our own fleshly longings. When we pray in Jesus’ name we are praying in line with His nature, His desires, and His righteousness. What He accomplished we have full rights to as joint- heirs with Him. (Romans 8:17). Praying in His name is the constant acknowledgement of His working on the cross and the power that He holds.
Remembering what Jesus accomplished is how we fight our battles. He reigns. Evil has no place. Darkness holds no dominion. In Christ we have ALL that is needed for life and Godliness.
Taking thoughts captive looks like forcing them into the submission of his Lordship. Practically, it’s thinking no. It’s telling the thoughts no and reminding them who is Lord and who is not.
Isaiah 61:3 talks about how He gives us a “garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”. When mourning or full of grief at this time, it was common to wear sackcloth. It was a garment of sorrow and heaviness. But Isaiah was prophesying here about the coming Messiah and Him giving His people a garment of PRAISE for the spirit of heaviness. It is the garment of celebration and thanksgiving for those who are oppressed. It is for those who are burdened. For those who are heavy.
In the midst of our thoughts and worries feeling so real, there is a Lamb on the throne who reigns. He holds tomorrow. He has the peace. His presence is where we find fullness of joy. We don’t have to stay in an anxious and heavy state. The choice is available. We can put on the garment of praise, stained red with His blood, and walk this life knowing that our entire being was bought with the greatest price.
My prayer is that you come close to the Bloody Lamb and realize it is exactly where you are meant to be forever.
~ Kate
Comments