It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy
statutes. (NIV) Psalm 119:71
But though He cause grief yet will He have compassion, according to the
multitude of His mercies. (NIV) Lamentations 3:32
Heed not distressing thoughts when they rise ever so strongly in thee; nay,
though they have entered thee, fear them not, but be still awhile, not
believing in the power which thou feelest they have over thee, and it will
fall on a sudden. It is good for thy spirit, and greatly to thy advantage,
to be much and variously exercised by the Lord. Thou dost not know what the
Lord hath already done, and what He is yet doing for thee therein.
I. Penington (1616-1670, religious writer)*
"Not believing in the power which thou feelest they (distressing thoughts) have over thee, and it will fall on a sudden."
Agree, disagree and wish it were so.
Mr. Penington's quote contains several spiritual truths, but falls short on a couple of points.
Agree: Distressing thoughts only have power if we choose to give them power. Power to ruin a good night's sleep. Power to disrupt a weekend's relaxation. Power to create physical distress. If we dwell on those distressing thoughts, they will be more than happy to set up residence in our minds and emotions. Thoughts are not like a physical ailment that may have a permanent effect on us. By God's power, we can control our thoughts.
Disagree: "But be still awhile." Clearing our minds of distressing thoughts is, at least for me, a much more active process than just being still. I find that in the stillness of my mind is when those thoughts start to creep back.
2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds believers to "take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ." Banishment of distressing thoughts is not passive. "Take captive." "Make it obedient." Both phrases speak to an active, willful process of thought control.
Wish it were so: "It will fall on a sudden." Oh, were that so for me! It has been my experience that distressing thoughts are like warts. They need constant application of Compound SD (spiritual disciplines). Maybe for some, or even most, once a distressing thought is banished, it stays banished. Not for me.
Distressing thoughts are like crabgrass. Dig 'em out. Apply Round-up. Here they come, creeping back, making it necessary for another dose of prayer, meditation, verse quotation. If only they would "fall on a sudden" and stay fallen.
But regardless of how or how often one has to banish distressing thoughts, they do not have power over us. They do not have to ruin a believer's peace or health. God can, will and even wants to take on all our worries, distresses and anxieties, but we must willingly and purposefully give them to Him.
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8534/pg8534.html
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