It's a Twister

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 10:5

             I live in Tornado Alley and have seen the destruction that a tornado can cause.

I saw the tree outside my window split almost completely in two. I saw a tree that was probably 100 years old picked up and dumped in the middle of the street. My dad saw his neighbors’ car picked up and flung 100 yards away. In Arizona recently there was a storm that measured 50 miles across.  The winds can be up to 300 miles per hour. My sister saw seven tornados in one day.  The danger from tornados comes not only from wind speeds, but from the debris they pick up. Flying or falling debris are responsible for most deaths and injuries from tornadoes. In addition to dirt and leaves, tornados pick up cars, cows, and large parts of trees.

            The same is true in our spiritual life. A thought will cross our minds. It may be a simple thought. (My husband is late for dinner). If we are able to stop it there, not much damage is done. However, many times one thought leads to another. (He was late last week too.) Then another thought follows. (He doesn’t care enough to get home on time.) The thoughts build on one another like larger and larger pieces of debris. (He doesn’t really love me. He is tired of me. He is going to leave me. I’m going to be alone for the rest of my life.) Granted the progression is not usually that fast, but the process is the same. Before long we have entered what I call the Swirling Vortex of Terror. 

            I do not like the Swirling Vortex of Terror. I doubt myself, God, and whoever I am upset with. What is the solution to this situation? Paul gave it to us in 2 Cor. 10:5. 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.  If we have on the belt of truth, we recognize thoughts that are wrong when they come. I once heard a preacher (I believe it was Chuck Swindoll) say, “You can’t keep a bird from flying over your head but you can keep it from building a nest in your head.  What can we do instead, though? Again, we get our answer from Paul. In Philippians 4:8 he says; Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

            Let’s practice “thinking on these things”, even if we don’t feel like it. If you see someone heading toward the Swirling Vortex of Terror, for heaven’s sake throw them the lifeline of Godly thoughts and counsel.

Lord, help us to keep our thoughts in line with your word today.

FEEDBACK: What is your first hint that you are entering the Swirling Vortex of Terror?