Six Practical Ways to Take Your Thoughts Captive

June 24, 2019 by jstults 4 Comments

It was on my mind first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, and seemingly every other moment in between. I just couldn’t seem to escape the negative thoughts that had plagued me all week long.

The negative attitude I wrestled with came out not only in my thoughts, but in my speech, as well. Every chance I had, I grumbled about the undeserved injustice to my husband and to the Lord. I felt trapped by my own sin.

Take your thoughts captive.

The Spirit nudged me time and again, yet I couldn’t quite figure out how to do what Scripture so clearly teaches and make myself obedient to Christ. The idea seemed good in theory, but much more difficult in practice!

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV – emphasis added)

We know that as Christian women, we are responsible for not only our actions, but also our actions and attitudes. We know we’re supposed to control our thoughts and to renew our minds, but how do we actually do that?

The following practical tips will help you take your thoughts captive!

6 Practical Ways to Take Your Thoughts Captive

1.Truth Journaling to take your thoughts captive.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NIV)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Scripture teaches us that a knowledge of God’s truth brings real freedom! And that transformation takes place as we allow our minds to be renewed with such truth. When we feel paralyzed by a negative attitude, we must take our thoughts captive by comparing each thought with the truth.

You can easily do this by simply writing down a lie you might be tempted to believe or a wrong thought you’re having and then write the truth right next to it. Even better, add a scripture to back up the truth you wrote down.

If you struggle with the same negative thoughts often, you’ll want to pay close attention to the next tip because it is a natural extension of truth journaling!

2. Scripture Memorization & Meditation to take your thoughts captive.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

The Bible teaches us to think about things that are true, honorable, pure – everything that is good (rather than everything that is negative!).

One of the most practical ways to “set your mind” is to memorize and meditate on Scripture, especially bible verses that pertain to the particular negative thoughts that plague you!

Do you wrestle with Anger? Memorize and meditate on Proverbs 15:1. Unforgiveness? Memorize and meditate on Ephesians 4:32. You get the idea – find a bible verse that speaks to your specific negative thoughts and take your thoughts captive!

The more time you spend with scripture, the easier it is for the Spirit to bring those previously memorized verses to mind in the midst of a negative thought. In addition, hiding God’s Word in our hearts (memorizing it) and meditating on it can actually prevent sin and encourage obedience in our lives!

Even Jesus fought temptation using scripture when faced with the enemy in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-4)!

3. Sensory Input for taking your thoughts captive.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. ~ Martin Luther

One trick for changing a thought pattern my husband and I learned through counseling is to use some sort of sensory input as a trigger to remind you to focus on truth or reality rather than fear, anger, etc.

My husband prefers a physical object (like a coin he can keep in his pocket) to touch when negative thoughts assail him, while I prefer to turn on some encouraging music.

Perhaps you need a visual reminder (like a Bible verse or a quote) placed in a strategic spot is a better form of sensory input for you. Likewise, your sense of smell could be a better trigger for truth through the use of an essential oil or a scented lotion.

Find a method that works best for you – something that will get your attention and remind you to set your mind and heart on things above!

4. Confessing your sins to take your thoughts captive.

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16a (NIV)

Hidden sin festers like rotten food, destroying us from the inside out. However, we cannot overcome what we aren’t willing to even acknowledge.

As Christ-followers, we are called to honest confession (1 John 1:5-9) because dragging our darkness out into the light brings freedom!

Confessing sin isn’t easy, but it is necessary for real Christian growth. If you struggle to take your thoughts captive, enlist the help of an accountability partner – someone rooted in the Word and reliable enough to confront you regularly about your thought life.

An accountability partner can serve not only to help you drag sin out into the light, but they can also be a good prayer warrior on your behalf, which leads to the next tip for overcoming negative thinking…

5. The Power of Prayer for taking your thoughts captive.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5 (NIV)

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b (NIV)

If we want to be Spirit-led women, then we must set our minds on God’s ways rather than our own desires.

Yet some days, setting our minds on the Spirit feels impossible, doesn’t it? Whether we are simply wrestling with the flesh or experiencing a spiritual attack, resisting negative thoughts is often a moment-by-moment choice.

Alongside the Word of God, prayer is our next best weapon against the lies and temptations we face daily. Prayer is powerful, friends!

If your negative thoughts have to do with your self (your flaws, your identity, etc.), then ask God to guard your mind and keep you centered on His truth (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7).

If your negative thoughts concern others, pray for them (Matthew 5:44). Ask God to give you His love for them.

When you’re really wrestling with a sin or an issue, enlist other prayer warriors like the apostle Paul did (Philippians 1:19, Romans 15:30). After all, even Jesus requested the prayer of his closest friends when he faced the cross (Matthew 26:36-38). link to Divine Encounter

6. Physical activity to take your thoughts captive.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV – emphasis added)

One final practical way to overcome negative thinking by adjusting your attitude is to get some exercise! The natural endorphins released when we are physically active can turn a sour mood into a sweeter one. I’ve witnessed this truth at work not only in my own life, but also in the life of one of our sons who always has a lot of pent up energy and emotions.

Angry thoughts, in particular, can often be overcome by working out some agression physically (go for a walk or run, punch a punching bag, etc.). Sadness and anxiety can also be helped by a brisk walk, especially if it gets you outdoors into nature!

And while you’re exercising your body, you can exercise your mind by training it to think on all that is true and lovely.

As much as we might wish for it, there is no magic pill to cure a negative attitude. Even the tried and true methods mentioned above for an attitude adjustment won’t always work alone. Many times we need a combination of scripture, prayer, confession, accountability, and other practical helps to overcome our negative thoughts!

Don’t give up, friend.

Renewing your mind isn’t a one-and-done deal. It takes real perseverance!

But as women who are new in Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin.

Choose a mind that’s been renewed!

Jen 🙂

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How to Persevere in Life

September 13, 2015 by jstults 10 Comments

Every once in a while we have those brave moments when we openly share our struggles with others because we are so very desperate to overcome.

I shared previously about my fat girl insecurities, and then again earlier this year about setting some personal goals for myself, especially learning how to persevere in this weight loss journey (this isn’t a post just about weight loss, so hang in there).

Yesterday I stepped on the scale for a weight check, hopeful yet worried. I haven’t been able to work out consistently for the last few weeks because a summer cold flared up my asthma. So, I wasn’t really sure what to expect.

After taking a deep breath, I looked down to see The Number.

And promptly burst into tears.

It’s not quite what you might be imagining because these were happy tears, thankful tears. Tears that meant I really could persevere at this weight loss journey in spite of frequent obstacles.

The Number was the one I had been waiting on, the one that put me under a major weight-loss marker, the one that more than solidified my twenty-plus pound loss thus far.

Seeing that number provided positive proof that the lies I used to believe were just that – lies meant to keep me enslaved.

So when I saw the Number my heart just filled up to overflowing with gratitude. I was grateful for a God who never gives up on me, one who continues to work in my life to free me from myself and my own sin.

See, it’s really not just about the weight for me. It’s about knowing my Father is looking out for me, helping me along the way. It’s about believing that I can persevere because He’ll help me!

I can lose weight.

I can choose to eat healthy foods.

I can live a healthy lifestyle.

I can get back on track over and over again, after obstacles get in my way.

I can do all of this and more, not by own might, but by the strength that comes from abiding in my Father God.

I can persevere.

How to Persevere in Life

Yes, remember that word from earlier this year that I didn’t really want? Well, the Father is showing me in a multitude of ways that I can persevere despite incredible difficulty. I know how to persevere because of the power of Christ in me.

Even more, I can persevere because of His faithfulness.

The best part is that all of those things are true for you, too, my sisters in Christ. If you have that personal relationship with Christ, then you have the power of Christ in you to finish your race well.

Recent world events might have you fearing for the future.

Life circumstances may be weighing you down.

A loved one may have betrayed you in the worst possible way.

Your family may be struggling just to survive.

But it doesn’t have to remain that way, friends.

We are capable of living victoriously even in the darkest of times because of the great Hope we have in an All-powerful God.

It’s a Hope that never fails, a Hope that remains steadfast and true.

A Hope that tells us we are not alone.

We can learn how to persevere by saying “I can because He did.”

How Persevering Leads to Overcoming

Earlier this year, I wanted a word that sounded a little less like hard work and a little more like a mountaintop experience. To me the word persevere meant “get ready because more trials are coming down the line!” But to my Lord and Savior it meant, “get ready to see the work I’m doing in you and wait hopefully for victory!”

I failed to realize then how close the connection is between persevering and living the victorious life because truly, one leads to the other! When we learn how to persevere, we are learning to live in victory, to claim our very own Promised Land right here on Earth.

When we persevere, we develop the character we need to be the overcomer God meant us to be from the very beginning!

Listen to what the Scripture has to say about persevering, friends!

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Rom. 5:3-5 (NASB)

Are you low-down and desperate for real hope today, friends? Are you stuck on a plateau, believing the lie that you’ll never find your way forward? Have you wasted so many years that changing now seems downright impossible?

Read it again. “[H]ope does not disappoint.” Hope is never wasted, no matter what the enemy tells you.

Lift your head and see the Hope before you.

Persevere and watch His mighty hand at work!

Jen 🙂

Sharing with: Make Your Home Sing Mondays, Tell it To Me Tuesdays, Tell His Story, A Little R and R, WholeHearted Wednesday, Grace and Truth, Faith Filled Friday, Saturday Soiree and Social Media Share

The Superwoman Myth Resolved

July 5, 2015 by stultsmamaof4 8 Comments

In the first half of The Superwoman Myth, we discussed how the players of self and others contribute to this myth of womanly perfection. Today, we finish with the final player.

The final contributor in the saga of the Superwoman Myth is Satan.

He is the great deceiver and he loves that we fall prey to the myth!

What better way to convince us we are failures than to give us an unattainable goal?

He waits on the sidelines while we struggle and agonize over our own weaknesses, while we look around at all of the women who seem to be living out their faith so much better than we are.

I'm sure you've fallen prey to the lie of the Superwoman Myth before - you know, how you need to do it all and do it all well?! Learn how to put those lies right in their place with this final freeing truth. The Superwoman Resolved

Debunking the Superwoman Myth

It is then that he strikes – in the middle of that doubt and fear that we’re not good enough, maybe even that we’ll never be good enough. He knows that if he can get us to focus on our failures, we’ll take our eyes off of Christ.

1 Peter 5:8 warns,

“Be alert and of sober mind.

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion

looking for someone to devour.”

But Satan is a liar.

The Father proclaims that we don’t have to be perfect because

Christ.

was.

perfect.

for us.

Amen?! God knows that we are human and that because of sin we are flawed, but the Good News? He chose to love us anyway!

Romans 5:8 testifies,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

When God looks at you, He already sees perfection because of the sacrifice of His Son. That work is already complete!

So, how do we become the best version of ourselves (the one we were created to be), without crossing over into the abyss of worry and guilt that Satan wants us trapped in?

How do we show ourselves grace and avoid falling prey to the Superwoman Myth?

The answer lies in Christ.

We can become the best version of ourselves by abiding in Him, by spending time in His word and in His presence.

It really is that simple.

It’s not in the details of our living, but in the attitude and mindset behind the way we live that matters to the Lord.

When we realize that He purposefully created us with a unique role to fill, we can stop looking down on His creation (self), stop looking around at everyone else, and instead focus on Him and His love for us.

When we relax in His gracious love, we allow Him to do the work necessary to develop Christ-likeness in us. We can be at peace with ourselves knowing that He will continue the work in us and that our Father God already loves us anyway, no matter what!

Now, let’s take a peek back at that one personality flaw we chose during part 1 of the Superwoman Myth. Let me ask you some questions in relation to your flaw.

Did God create you?

In His wisdom, did God create your personality this way?

Consider this: Does God create by accident? Does He create things that are inherently bad? (Think back to the days of Eden.)

No!

Therefore, we can safely assume that the things we dislike most about ourselves are characteristics God intentionally gave to us or allowed us to have.

And …

In their purest, God-given form, those personality “flaws” are not bad.

Yes, personality “flaws” can certainly lead us to sin, but in and of themselves, they are pure, God-given traits meant for our benefit. He give us these traits, perhaps to teach us, maybe even to teach others, and in the process, to bring Him glory.

So, now how do you see your “flaw?”

Is it possible that with Christ’s help your flaw can become the thing of beauty He intends it to be?

I believe so.

That’s why my life verse is Philippians 1:6.

“Being confident in this; he who began a good work in you

will carry it until the day of completion in Christ Jesus.”

My sisters in Christ,

don’t

fall

for

the Superwoman Myth.

Don’t believe the lies from self, others, or Satan.

Instead, listen to the voice of your Creator God, the Father who lavishes His love on you!

He doesn’t ask us to be superwomen.

Instead He just wants us to be the women He created us to be.

Work-in-progress women.

Jen 🙂

Sharing with: Tell His Story, Grace and Truth

This is an excerpt from the newly released devotional, Being Confident of This: 30 Days to Discovering Your Identity in Christ.

On Raising Daughters: Beauty Queen or Brainiac?

May 19, 2015 by jstults 12 Comments

“Please, Mommy, please!” She begged with round eyes and crinkled nose. Her most fervent desire? To sign up for the local beauty pageant and wear a fancy dress.

It’s one aspect of mothering a daughter that I never anticipated….as a mother of mostly boys.

It’s true that daughters are different, and therefore, we worry about different things – teaching modesty and authenticity, teaching beauty that comes from within, teaching God-derived confidence and mothering skills, and a million other things I might never have considered teaching specifically to our boys.

It’s also true that one can find all sorts of conflicting advice about what is best for little girls.

Let them be princesses!

No, let them be tom-boys!

Teach them the joy of femininity!

No, teach them to seek equality!

When so many different opinions exist, how can we know the best advice to follow? Which way is right?

Should we let our little girl participate in the beauty pageant or not?

Join me over at Kaylene Yoder’s place as I share about what kind of daughters we should be raising and how to love our daughters best!

Meet you there!

Jen 🙂

Sharing with: Tell It To Me Tuesday, Titus 2 Tuesday, Titus 2sdays, A Little R&R Wednesdays, #TellHisStory, Wholehearted Wednesdays, Grace and Truth, Faith Filled Fridays

Walking Through the Pain

April 20, 2015 by jstults 9 Comments

I’ve been walking through some significant pain this week – the kind of pain that just makes you want to up and quit altogether! My legs ache with extra fluid, keeping me awake at night.

The pain started when I tried to push a little too hard with my workout routine.

Instead of my typical brisk walking, I thought I would jog in intervals, just for a few minutes at a time. I want to reach that goal-line so badly on this weight-loss journey, and picking up the pace seemed like a good idea at the time.

Even though my knees didn’t hurt at all while I was walk/jogging, the pain the next day made me unable to even walk up steps with my left knee at all. Ever since, I’ve been walking through the pain but the injury has certainly slowed me down. Now I have to walk longer just to reach my Fitbit step goal, let alone get in extra mileage.

I’m fighting weight-loss discouragement.

I thought I was strong enough, but I became impatient and pushed a little too hard to reach my goals.

I ran ahead in the journey, so to speak.

We often walk through pain in life, not just physical pain, but emotional and spiritual pain, also. In fact, the Word tells us to expect it!

^“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you..” 1 Peter 4:12

Yes, that’s often how it feels at first, isn’t it – a strange thing? We’re walking down the path of life and suddenly an insurmountable obstacle stands in our way!

And because we dislike pain, we try to rush the process in order to escape the difficulty. We want a quick fix! Amen? 🙂

Or perhaps in our attempt to rush, we start pretending that there is no pain – there is no problem. We deny the truth of where we stand in our journey because we so desperately want to be further along in the process. We don’t want to keep persevering. Instead, we want to be able to say, “I have overcome!”

So we buy into the lie.

We hide our heads in the sand; we put on our rose colored glasses and call sin and self-reliance “okay.” We convince ourselves that we’re okay, they’re okay, it’s okay – whatever the situation might be.

But often the fix isn’t quick. Often the lesson drags out and pain is prolonged.

Sometimes the best way forward is to take a step back, to slow down long enough to build some real spiritual muscle.

When we deceive ourselves into believing we are further ahead than we really are in our current trial, we step into dangerous territory. We open ourselves to injury or to trickery on behalf of the Enemy. The best way for him to ensnare us is to convince us that the way ahead is clear, is it not? To keep us from crying out to our Father for rescue?

The trick is not to be defeated by the pain, but to persevere in spite of it. Not to be deceived by sin nature nor the Enemy, but to humble ourselves before the Lord and allow Him to lift us up in the proper time.

“…but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” 1 Peter 4:13

We must slow down enough to build the muscle, but not enough to the point of quitting altogether.

We must be truthful about where we are at, so that we can look to our Savior for the grace and strength to get where we want to be. Wait for the Lord to signal “full steam ahead!”

We may not get “there” as quickly as we’d like to. We may take two steps forward and one back, but we will reach our destination eventually as long as we stay focused on the Sustainer of Life!

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

My sisters in Christ, let’s be content with the pace the Father sets for us. Let’s not rush ahead of the lesson. Let’s not grow weary in doing good nor grow discouraged by setbacks. Instead, let’s persevere in this journey.

Run that race.

Walk that race.

Whatever your pace may be,

Keep pressing on!

Jen 🙂

Sharing with: Grace and Truth, A Look at the Book

The Relief of the Fitbit Buzz

April 11, 2015 by jstults 11 Comments

Relief – a de-burdening of sorts. A happiness that follows difficulty or worry.

I know it sounds silly, but this weight loss journey has been no easy thing thus far. The bad thing about that is it makes me want to give up – yes, already I want to give up some days. The good thing about wanting to give up and knowing that I cannot, I just cannot, is that it draws me nearer to the Lord.

It’s no small thing that His word for me this year is persevere. Because lately every single day when it’s time to go for a walk, I have to push through this mental block.

I just don’t want to go for a walk today. My knees hurt, so I should rest. I don’t feel like it because I’m so tired. Maybe I can skip today and just work harder tomorrow.

The thing is, I know that if I make excuses for one too many days, I’ll have fallen off of the healthy wagon again. And I can’t fall off again, at least not for good. This is the year, friends, that I persevere, that I rely on the Lord and His power to carry me through, no. matter. what.

There is no giving up this time around.

And on most days when I’m walking harder and longer not because I want to, but because I need to, I’m just waiting. I’m waiting for my Fitbit (read “really cool pedometer”) to buzz.
I’m waiting for that sweet relief that says I’ve made it. I met my step goal for the day. I persevered through those 2 miles or 3 miles, or whatever mileage it takes to get me to that point.

It’s a relief.

And even though it seems silly, it means something to me!

I’m ten pounds in now, with a long, long way to go. But I’m learning more and more that He’s with me each step of the way. He provides the strength. He provides the nudge to get up and move. He provides the encouragement. He provides the will to persevere.

And I just follow. It’s what we were born to do, really.

For His glory!

Jen 🙂

I’m joining my Five Minute Friday friends again this week (albeit a day late!). We gather at Kate’s place and free-write for five minutes with no planning, no over-thinking, no editing – just words. Come join us if you like!

Also sharing with: Grace and Truth

Disclosure: this post makes use of affiliate links. For more information about my affiliate status, please visit the About page. Thanks! 🙂

On Good Friday ~ Grace and Truth Week 12

April 3, 2015 by jstults 3 Comments

This week has been busy, busy, busy. I’m sure many of you can relate! Last Saturday we finally walked the 5K race I’ve been working toward. I’m so thankful for all of you who prayed for strong knees and good health. I did, in fact, get a cold from our children earlier in the week, but it wasn’t bad enough to affect me in any major ways.

Yes, the hill was just as big (BIGGER!) than I remembered, but I was thankful for my “training” because I knew I could do it. I had to keep reminding myself of that fact, and keep focusing my eyes on the few steps in front of me instead of the distant top. 🙂

We finished in decent time, considering the freezing temps and giant hill. I look forward to scheduling another 5K to keep us on track!

One thing that has been on my mind often since our break last week is Good Friday. I’ve been reminded over and over again of the suffering Jesus endured and the power for abundant life that resulted from His sacrifice.

So, I really enjoyed Heather’s post this week – a poem about Good Friday and our perfect sacrifice. Be sure to stop by her blog, My Overflowing Cup, and check it out!

I hope you all experience Jesus in new ways this Easter Sunday!

Jen 🙂

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It Is Finished

April 2, 2015 by jstults 18 Comments

“Yeah, tomorrow is Good Friday because you get a break from school,” our six-year-old daughter quips.

“No, sweetie, that’s not why we call it Good Friday. We call it Good Friday because that’s the day Jesus took our punishment by dying on the cross and paying for our sins,” I explain.

“Oh, that’s the day Jesus died? That’s sad.” She grows solemn.

And we talk about it then, right there at the supper table, we talk about how He knew the suffering He would endure, yet He obeyed the Father anyways.

I think of them, His followers, the disciples, and how that day must have seemed anything but good to them. The fear they must have experienced, the sorrow, the confusion. I wonder if they felt hopeless and helpless.

That’s what we humans do when the skies around us grow dark and suffering multiplies – we despair.

It’s our first response to most difficult situations. Like the disciples, we fail to look ahead, for we only see the present, the now.

Yet on Good Friday we call the darkest day of their lives “good” because we can see now what they could not then.

We have the broader perspective, the bigger picture. We understand that the pain, the suffering, the darkness and death that day brought were the beginnings of a bigger and brighter glory than any soul had ever known before!

But the death came first, before new life.

Isn’t it the same even now?

We must die to self in order to live for Him. And it’s scary and dark and painful, but it’s oh-so-necessary.

When we find ourselves on the other side, we can look back and call it “good.”

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” Jn 10:9-11

On the other side of the cross painted red, we who believe can call that darkest, death-filled day Good Friday because…

with one fell swoop, one simple yet agonizing act of obedience, sin and death were defeated once and for all!

So that we might know Him!

“It is Finished.”

Jen 🙂

I’m joining the Five Minute Friday crew this week! We all gather at Kate Motaung’s place and free-write for five crazy minutes – no planning, no editing, no stressing. 🙂 Come join us if you like!

Also sharing with: Grace and Truth

Come Away With Me

March 28, 2015 by jstults 4 Comments

Weary.

Burdened.

Just plain tired of being tired.

Sometimes we don’t realize how worn out we are until we have a chance to get away, a chance to rest, a chance to “be still.” We don’t realize we’ve become weary in following our Father. We don’t realize we’ve become weary in serving others.

This past week we took some rest at a cabin in the woods during our children’s Spring Break.

I noticed that I didn’t feel as needy this year as I did last. Last year I was nearly desperate for some time away. Life seemed so very overwhelming in many ways then. And it’s not that life never feel overwhelming now, either, but it was different then.

I wanted relief.

I yearned for escape.

I thought that by “getting away” from it all, I might find peace from life’s problems. But those problems just followed me wherever I went.

I was looking for rest in the wrong places.

This year hasn’t been quite so difficult thus far, in spite of the flu-turned-bronchitis-add-to-that-mono months of December and January. I have only one word for the difference – contentment. In general, I am content.

I’m certain the difference can be attributed to my walk with the Lord, which has been a little closer and a lot sweeter lately. I’m learning that no matter what comes my way, He is my only source of life, love, strength, shelter, and so much more.

In Him, I find rest.

It’s that rest born from trust that leads to peace and joy beyond our understanding.

It’s a supernatural rest that doesn’t make sense using man’s logic because from the outside perspective our lives might look a little hectic. And the world would tell us, take some time for yourself. Quit serving others and serve self. You deserve it. You neeeeed it.

But I hear another voice that says take up your cross and follow me.

And just when I’m feeling overwhelmed that sweet reminder comes that by His side the burden will also be light.

Don’t get me wrong, now. I’m not against rest and I certainly need physical rest at times myself. But even more than physical rest, I need spiritual rest.

Do you have it, my sisters in Christ?

Do you have rest? If not, it’s yours for the taking and you can find it by abiding in Him moment by moment, day by day, trust building upon trust.

Sometimes we need a rest.

But sometimes we just need Jesus!

Jen 🙂

While we were away, I had the opportunity to spend time taking pictures. Lately I’m often reminded of the power of the Cross. It’s because of the cross we can cease striving and be still. It’s because of the cross we can rest in the gift that is Grace.

Sharing with: Grace and Truth

Beyond Comfort ~ Grace and Truth Week 10

March 20, 2015 by jstults 2 Comments

Hello, friends! How has your week been? I’ll be honest. It’s been a little up and down here. I’ve learned that I do really well persevering as long as I’m receiving fairly constant encouragement and seeing results. But the minute I run into a roadblock, I often begin to lose heart.

Earlier this year when I wrote about the word Persevere being my word for the year, I had no idea how much I needed to learn in this area. Part of persevering for me seems to be maintaining hope. It’s obviously still a work in progress, but the Father has been faithful in giving me this lesson in many different areas of my life. He’s making the message nearly impossible to miss. 🙂

Last week’s Grace and Truth was full of repeated messages as well, it seems! I read several posts about letting go of fear so that we might become who God created us to be. I also read a few about how BIG our Father God truly is. But two posts stood out to me in particular because of some situations we have faced both in our family and in ministry.

Meredith from According2Meredith wrote about how often we let others down when they need help the most – perhaps because of mistakes they have made, etc.. I agree with much of what she wrote and think it falls right in line with Agape love – that unconditional love Jesus shows to all of us sinners who mess up time and time again. Loving others requires us to go beyond what we are comfortable with.

Along the same lines, Ruth from The Mustard Seed wrote about practicing what we preach in the Church. Is it possible that our churches have become so “middle-class” as to make those who feel lesser-than avoid them? How can we reach those who really need to hear Truth?

It’s easy to grow comfortable in our Christian “bubbles” and forget about the world out there that desperately needs saving! I know I’m guilty of losing that urgency from time to time.

I look forward to reading what you all have to share this week!

Jen 🙂

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6 Practical Ways to Take Your Thoughts Captive

1.Truth Journaling to take your thoughts captive.

2. Scripture Memorization & Meditation to take your thoughts captive.

3. Sensory Input for taking your thoughts captive.

4. Confessing your sins to take your thoughts captive.

5. The Power of Prayer for taking your thoughts captive.

6. Physical activity to take your thoughts captive.

How to Persevere in Life

We can learn how to persevere by saying “I can because He did.”

How Persevering Leads to Overcoming

The final contributor in the saga of the Superwoman Myth is Satan.

No!

don’t

fall

for

the Superwoman Myth.

I ran ahead in the journey, so to speak.

Sometimes the best way forward is to take a step back, to slow down long enough to build some real spiritual muscle.

We must slow down enough to build the muscle, but not enough to the point of quitting altogether.

It’s a relief.

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That’s what we humans do when the skies around us grow dark and suffering multiplies – we despair.

with one fell swoop, one simple yet agonizing act of obedience, sin and death were defeated once and for all!

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Arabah Joy
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A Divine Encounter
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Being Confident of This
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Busy Being Blessed
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Sharing Redemption’s Stories
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