What does it really mean to take our thoughts captive? I have a lot of time on my hands these days as there are many days I don’t have a lot of energy to do much. It’s so easy to let my mind wander . . .
2 Corinthians 10:5 talks about taking our thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ. This verse comes up every few months in Bible Study, usually when my friend Amy is teaching. (I can hear her voice in my head saying the verse and picture her speaking.) 🙂 When it came up again earlier this week as I was doing my devotions one morning, it hit me differently. It had been a hard few days, as the days after chemo usually are.
This round, my body decided to shut down a bit and I dealt with severe constipation and fun issues that go with that. While in agony, thinking the pain was worse than giving birth (well, I had an epidural so that’s probably why. But seriously, if I have to deal with it again to that degree, I’m going to look into an epidural. Just sayin . . .) this verse came to my mind. What does it mean to take my thoughts captive when I’m in severe pain and discomfort, when I can’t focus on anything except the pain and wondering how and when it’s going to end?
I’m not sure I have an answer to that.
While in pain Tuesday night, a few scriptures came to my mind. As fears crept in I sent them away. I wondered if I did something to deserve this. (I guess I have very dramatic thoughts when I’m in pain as I don’t usually think that way.) I’m sure I’m being over dramatic about the whole situation and the days following, but it has made me think about this verse and how it applies to my cancer journey, whether it be during times of pain, sickness or worry.
I have a lot of time on my hands. It’s so easy to let my mind wander, but yet this verse keeps coming into my head and reminding me to control my thoughts and make sure they obedient to Christ and are pure, lovely and commendable as Philippians 4:8 talks about.
That is much easier said than done when you are in pain as I found out this week!
So today, I’d like to ask you a question. I know many of you have dealt with chronic pain, pain from surgeries, seen friends and family suffer, etc. What do you during those really hard times to stay positive and help your mind stay where it should be? Will you let me know in the comments below?
In other news . . .
I started having tingling in my hands and feet on Sunday. It comes and goes. However, because of that, my next chemo medicine will be given every week (on Wed.) for 3 months (instead of every other week for two months,) 🙁 This hopefully will prevent any permanent nerve damage.
I’m VERY sad about having to go every week, even though I know the dosage is smaller. I have no idea what the side effects will be with this medication, so I’m a bit anxious about that. Since we will be going every week, I’m going to have my labs done on the same day so we are not driving to the infusion center as often. It will just make the days we are there longer.
The girls are busy with school and Tom with work. This next week the girls are singing a few times and I hope to be doing well enough to go hear them. (Back to the anxiousness about the new medicine . . .)
Specific things to pray for:
- My body’s response to the new chemo meds I’ll be getting on Wednesday
- Christmas break – fun time as a family, but also time for Tom to work
So much to be thankful for . . .
PS: If you are shopping on Amazon.com this Christmas season, would you use my affiliate link to help me keep this blog online? Thanks! 🙂
I’ve suffered with constipation since 7th grade. It was horrendous when I was pregnant with Chloe (in fact, our dear mutual friend Christy bought me some enemas) …I find when dealing with chronic pain with this, I focus solely on my breathing for a while. When we are in pain we tend to hold our breath and not take deep cleansing breaths! Next, I focus on NOTHING but Jesus and the suffering he went through on my behalf…many verses to pray on, but I get distracted when in pain…so, it’s all about Jesus then 🙂
It’s very difficult to get out of your own head when you are in so much pain.
I will be praying for ‘focus’ as you start the new meds with the unknown side effects. Thank you for the blog to keep our family in the loop on how to pray
Thank you Chris. Those are great suggestions. 🙂 And yay for friends that help and even bring us things like that when we really need them!!!
Jennifer I also deal with pain from osteoarthrtis, neuropathy from diabetes, along with balance issues. For pain, other than daily pain meds, I pray, read the Bible and read some great Christian books, this usually helps the pain,because my mind is focused on other things. I agree with Chris deep breathing helps me relax.
Thanks Aunt Carol. 🙂
Hi Jennifer,
I think this journal is very theraputic for you. Just to be able to vent how you feel in recording your experiences is good. Wish I thought of that when I had cancer! I probably told you, II Corinthians 12:9&10 are two of my favorite verses. The ultimate way to bring glory to the Heavenly Father, is to rejoice in our infirmities. Hardest thing to do when the pain doesn’t go away, and it follows you EVERYWHERE!! But try to keep thinking that, like the song says, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!” Try to take things moment by moment, and not look far ahead. And remember…..God is already there in your future! I think of you every day and pray for you and the family. After all this is over, we HAVE to get together at the family reunion again!! I am still awaiting tests and results to see if I have Crohn’s Disease. Appreciate prayer for this. Love and HUGS Jennifer!!
Praying for you and your family Karen. Keep me posted on the test results and how I can pray specifically for you!
Sweet Jennifer, Please know I’m holding you and your family in prayer. And now Wednesday prayers will be more specific because I know you will be in Chemo. Blessings that they can do the lab work at the same time, though it will be a long day. Will pray God gives you extra energy on Wednesdays.
I’m also sorry to say that your affiliate link does not work, at least not for me. I’m not a geek so I have no idea how to remedy this issue. I do a lot of shopping on Amazon and I’d love to be going thru you.
Never forget how very much God loves you, you are his chosen child. He is standing by your side every minute of every day. We are so blessed to have Him in our lives.
With love and blessings, Nancy
It will be a long day, but I’m glad to not have to drive in (30 minutes each way) multiple times. Thanks for praying for my strength that day.
Grrr about the affiliate link, but I’m so glad you told me. I fixed it and just tried it and it works. The only thing you’ll notice different is in the url – there’s a tag with my affiliate name. Thanks!
Dear Jennifer ~
“Taking every thought captive” was the first Scripture verse that ‘hit’ me many years ago. My pain was emotional, rather than physical.
Later in life, I learned to immediately thank Jesus for my pain as it draws me closer to Him where I receive His presence & my acceptance of His will and way in my life.
More recently, the study of God’s sovereignty brings the greatest comfort. When life is overwhelming and reduces me to a puddle of despair, my response is acceptance & then anticipation of Him taking me home where all this will be replaced with Him fully.
I’m not in your shoes, but He is. Think on Him & His comfort will come.
Much love and prayers for you & yours!
Those are great suggestions. Thank you so much Marilee. 🙂
Jennifer,
You are in my thoughts and prayers daily as you walk this difficult road. I saw Tom and your girls last night (they were leaving Awana as I left youth group) and I thought of you. I pray that you will experience God’s peace that passes understanding as you set an example for those precious girls regarding how to face trials with grace, strength, and hope.
As far as holding your thoughts captive goes: I’m no expert, by any stretch of the imagination, but in my journey I tried to continually focus on what I was thankful for. I remember many times thanking God profusely for the warm and comfy bed I could climb into every day to rest and recover from my chemo treatments! Even in adversity, we are so blessed.
Take care, my friend.