Capture Every Thought
“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
This has been my mission for as long as I can remember. As I’ve grown older and walked through both the ups and the downs of life, this verse makes more sense to me than ever.
If I don’t capture my thoughts, they capture me. And once they have me, they spill out—into my words, my mood, my reactions. As women, we think an average of 60,000-plus thoughts a day, and studies show over 80% of them are negative. No wonder discouragement creeps in so easily. We recycle the same untrue, heavy things until they weigh us down—and then those thoughts don’t just stay inside us. They show up in the atmosphere of our homes and even follow us into the places we go.
But God gives us a different focus:
“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.” — Philippians 4:8
That’s not just a verse for my journal—it’s a lifeline for my family right now.
Out of Place, Out of Comfort
So why am I sharing this? Because right now, I’m in my last week here on this side of Texas before heading back to what I’d call my “home base.” I’ve worked hard to make this place more comfortable, but it hasn’t turned out the way I expected. I thought there would be a “wow” moment—something that felt rewarding. Instead, it’s felt ordinary. Maybe even disappointing.
For G and me, it’s been especially hard. We’re both out of our comfort zones. For me, it’s the challenge of creating a home in a place that doesn’t quite feel like home. For her, it feels like a raw deal—sleeping on an air mattress, missing the familiar. She’s a teenager, pulled from her normal life, and her mood shifted quickly. That negativity started to spread—shaping how she saw being here, being with the guys, and even being part of this whole season. I understand her, but I also know her perspective isn’t the whole reality.
And in the middle of all this, I’ve had to ask: What does God want me to believe? How do I keep my own thoughts captive when disappointment creeps in, when complaints echo around me, when body language carries its own weight of negativity? Because the truth is, it seeps into me, too.
Reframing the Ordinary
That’s why I have to be intentional about what I do and speak. I have to guard my heart, choose gratitude, and lean into a spirit of thanksgiving.
So, I didn’t get the reaction I was hoping for in the evenings. Instead of staying stuck in that disappointment, I reframed my thoughts—I captured them. My son and I ended up having great conversations every night. The relief I saw in him brought me such joy. Knowing that a hot, homemade meal could make him feel loved and cared for—it was so simple, yet so meaningful. That’s a mother’s love, and I’m grateful I get to give it.
During the day, I poured myself into creating a better space for my family—buying lamps, tables, food, and little touches to make the whole place more livable. I organized, cooked, ran errands, picked up dry cleaning, and kept my daughter on track with schoolwork. And in the background, I was doing my best to reconnect the disconnection within my family. Because that’s what moms do.
Leading With Faith
I’ve tried to be an ear that listens, a voice that guides, and a presence that cares. I’ve prayed like a warrior wife and mother. But even with all of that, I still have to go to God to guide me.
Because at the end of the day, I can’t control the thoughts, moods, or feelings of my husband, my son, or my daughter. What I can do is lead with faith. I can take responsibility for the atmosphere I create. I can take my own thoughts captive, align them with Christ, and trust Him to do the rest.
Closing
As much as I want this phase to be over, I know we’re really just getting started. I need God to keep me focused on Him, because there will be plenty of complaining and hard days ahead. But I’m thankful for the people I get to share this journey with. Life is hard no matter where you are, but the people beside you make all the difference. And I want to be that difference.
Right now, I’m especially grateful for my friends who have been amazing—caring for me and our home base while I’ve been away. I don’t know what I’d do without them. I’m thankful, too, for the way G has refocused her energy. Not only has she caught up in her schoolwork, she’s gotten ahead, and I could see the pride in her own accomplishments this week. I’m so proud of her. This hasn’t been easy with all the traveling, but she pulled through with strength.
And then I watched a family friend step out in faith and post his very first YouTube video—it brought me to tears. Because I think so many Christians feel this same call: to take a bold step and walk more openly in their faith.
So in closing, I write this as a reminder to myself and to anyone reading: life is heavy. It’s hard. But we have more power than we might think—and that’s the point. The power comes through repentance and gratitude.
Thank You, Jesus. You are mighty to save.
Please take a moment and watch this video. It’s worth it!
SK-
- Table-Tossing Grace: My Season of Withdrawal and the Beauty of Eremition
- Filtering the Poison
- Confusion: The Chaos Strategist
- 5 Bible Verses to Remember: Gratitude, Forgiveness, Worthiness, Grace, and Peace
- Fixing the Hinges on the Gate | by fabricthatmademe
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