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, NIV)
Henry Ford Fun Fact #1: He built Dearborn Country Club in Michigan despite not playing golf. He founded the club to help retain top talent at Ford’s Dearborn offices.
Henry Ford Fun Fact #2: He is credited with the quote that has elevated my golf game and might do the same for yours: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you’re right.”
Chew on that for a moment. I’m certain that when you stand over a putt thinking you’ll miss it, you will. I’m not saying you’ll start draining 50-footers just because you think you can, but there is no doubt I started making more putts when I believed I could.
Results have shown my performance is typically commensurate with my thought pattern. Good things happen when I focus on the positive and what I want to do, and I tend to deteriorate when I veer to the negative and what I don’t want to do.
I can’t tell you how many Titleists have suddenly realized they don’t know how to swim right after I have told myself, “Don’t hit it in the water.”
My hope and joy follow this same pattern off the course. To illustrate, my wife had a recent setback in her cancer treatment and was hospitalized for 13 days. For those who have killed time in a waiting room while surgeons operate on a loved one, you know thoughts can turn dark in a hurry.
That’s why today’s verse is so critically important. By taking those thoughts captive, we can look beyond present pain and find contentment in obedience to Christ. When I wander into the inevitable self-pity of our current condition, I have learned to combat my runaway ruminations with scripture. For example:
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on that is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11).
In the interest of space, that’s just a sample of verses relevant to our situation; however, the Bible is a treasure trove for whatever your circumstance.
Many good rounds have been ruined by thinking ahead instead of staying focused on the shot at hand. Conversely, when we “set our minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2), we can find joy in the bad rounds of life.
Prayer: God, thank you for the gift of our minds. Help us harness them by filtering our thoughts through your Word.