The timing couldn’t be more perfect for our 2 Corinthians study, covering chapter 10 mid-way through the second week of an official “stay-at-home” order here in Ohio, and almost a month into social distancing efforts. I don’t know about you, but over here, there are plenty of thoughts that need to be taken captive to obey Christ. It’s all too easy to let circumstances wear away the grace that we all need to be extending daily to those with whom we leave, to stop giving them the benefit of the doubt, and to let fuses run short(er). It’s been my experience that although most of us have heard plenty of sermons about the need to take every thought captive, there’s little to no guidance on how to do that. I have a couple thoughts on that (full credit to my small group for these ideas), as well as a couple resources that have been helpful.
The most effective strategy for taking thoughts captive, for me for right now anyway, is distraction and replacement. This breaks the loop of circling, repetitive thoughts, stops the swirling, and puts something else in its place. You can think of it as similar to breaking a habit of chewing fingernails or something like that. The distraction pulls the hand away from the mouth, and the replacement inserts a piece of gum instead.
I’ve found music is helpful for both. However, the replacement has to be better than the original, so I need to take care with what I’m filling my mind. Hymns, of course, are filled with great theology to ground and anchor us; a friend also recently reminded me that even more than listening, actually singing these hymns to yourself is incredibly effective at distracting and replacing thoughts that are not helpful. Indelible Grace sets old hymns to new music, as well as featuring new music with the same lyrical attraction as many of the old hymns. Some of my favorites include “From the Depths of Woe”, from their album Joy Beyond Sorrow, “Abide with Me” from Wake Thy Slumbering Children, “Rock of Ages (When the Day Seems Long)” from By Thy Mercy, and “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” from Beams of Heaven. The other band that makes a regular appearance in my rotation is Sons of Korah. An Australian band, they set the Psalms to music. Some of my favorites include their renditions of Psalms 130, 91, 69, and 63. (Music is available on streaming platforms, YouTube, and their websites: Indelible Grace and Sons of Korah. Websites may include only demo versions/previews.)
It’s not much, but there you have it: a practical guide to distraction and replacement to take your thoughts captive. If you have a tip for how to effectively do so, or decide to try this suggestion, let me know about it!
My folks sometimes played on the record player the old country gospel records, people like Jim Reeves, Hank Williams Sr, Tennessee Ernie Ford and the Florida Boys. Lately, since we have so much “down” time in our lives, I have been finding a few of the classics on youtube. They seemed to sing from their heart, not just to win a grammy award. Also taking the time to really count my blessings, from the most basic needs to thanking God for all of my new friends and church family at Parkside. As our minds wander or things get a little “tense” at home, remember Romans 8:28
Thank you for the suggestions–I have found music to have the same effect on my thoughts often and am struggling with many things right now–these were helpful reminders to continually fight to take those thoughts captive rather than giving in to despair and disappointment. Indelible Grace is one of our favorites also. I also very much like Selah–especially the ‘Be Still’ album–but really, almost all of them. Plumb has many songs also, though not Scripture. Fernando Ortega ‘Hymns & Meditations’ is also a favorite.