Taking your thoughts captive simply means gaining control over what you think about yourself and life during this time of pandemic, isolation, remote working.
What you allow to invade your thoughts defines how you may be coping with these new ways of living.
We are far enough into this time of social isolation now to stop clearing out the closet, put away the DVD’s, be selective about the news channels you are listening to and take charge of your thought life – His way.
2 Corinthians 10:5 New King James Version (NKJV)
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Take responsibility for your thoughts. You may well feel you are in a no man’s land and can’t see the future. No one can, that’s the level playing field we all find ourselves on. But you can do something.
I was listening to my boss this morning as he was being interviewed. He said some really interesting things that made me sit up and take notice about my thought life.
He asked the question – what are we going to be when this is over?
And this is my question to you the reader.
What is your sense of purpose right now? are you thinking and planning for a life after the pandemic is over – and it will be. Or, are you still emotionally feeding your mind with the news cycle?
We should all be taking stock of our purpose and identity. This will be different for everyone.
My purpose is to encourage others to be the best they can be. My identity is in Christ. That simple. But to hold fast to this I have to remember to engage via social media with others. I have to discipline my mind away from fear and I have to allow God to transform me by the renewing of my mind.
Romans 12:2 Amplified Bible (AMP)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be [a]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
You may be facing difficult challenges, don’t get trapped in disabling thoughts. Reach out to someone, anyone. Text someone you haven’t spoken to for a long time. Remember, this is a worldwide level playing field, this, for the first time known to man, is a global issue. We are all in the same place. Our challenges may be different, but our thought patterns are almost certainly the same.
It is really important to manage down your emotions now. Isolation brings many many opportunities for good but also for evil. Tempers rise. Drinking increases. Thoughts get dark. Now’s the time to fight off this behaviour and make ourselves accountable to someone. Invest in yourself and buy time with a reputable mentor.
Focus your mind on the right things. The right things will be different for each person. It could be praying, it could be facetiming a loved one, it could be reading, it could simply be getting up in the morning, prepping for work (even though you aren’t going to the office).
Just getting into a routine will definitely help.
I wrote once before about quiet time – how on big family holidays 2 – 3pm was quiet time. Reading, sleeping, headphones listening to podcasts or music, but no noise. This practice has been our family life wherever possible. Try it, the discipline of silence is wonderful and heals busy minds.
Most of us will have a life plan.
Habakkuk 2:2 N (NKJV)……“Write the vision, And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.
Dig it out and as a family start to review it. But start from a different place.
Hugh Massie, CEO/Founder of DNA Behavior International said this: It’s time to futureproof your life. Get to know your talents and behaviours and start to focus on being purpose and identity driven.
I’ve worked for Hugh for some 21 years and most of that time has been remotely. He’s in the USA and I’m in Australia. So social isolation hasn’t been an issue for me or has it. My right to choose has been removed, my right to have coffee with friends has gone, my right to meet clients face to face is no longer there. So, even those of us used to working remotely can allow thoughts to invade our minds.
Final thought, we will come through this. We will continue to build friendships, but for now let’s keep our minds, our homes, our relationships healthy.
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Carol Pocklington is a Human Performance Accelerator. She has worked with Hugh Massie since 2001 as the DNA Behavior concept was conceived. She works with people and businesses worldwide. Her real-world application of behavioural insights, gives her the capability to serve as a business strategist, coach, mentor, and trainer. She is also a prolific blogger, a public speaker and author, specializing in human behavioural insights.
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