Crunch!

Lately, I spend a lot of time at a location where I encounter roaches large and small, and they are fast. I’m not very squeamish about bugs but these are so plentiful and bold that they drive me crazy. I recently mentioned to someone that they were too fast for me and was told to do my best to kill them anyway. I try, but it’s not that easy. 

A few weeks ago, one of the feisty little critters was running from me and I got to “crunch” him under my foot. Since then, I have become quicker at outsmarting this unfortunate critter’s friends, and even though they run from me, they are not fast enough. 

I find that I often have unwanted, destructive thoughts in my mind that need to be “crunched” as well. They are so bold and so plentiful that I haven’t always known how to deal with them. About a week ago, I decided to make a declaration. I declared that I wanted these unwanted thoughts to be defeated and to have no hold on me. In other words, “Go! Crunch under my feet.” And, by the grace of God, they have been crunched. 

This battle is not a one-sided or one-person task. A pest control service regularly visits the location where the roaches are plentiful. Bug sprays are helpful as well, but my occasional crunch doesn’t hurt either. Similarly, I rely on Jesus to help me crunch these destructive thoughts, and confide in others to keep me accountable. It is very satisfying to be able to stand up against these thoughts with confidence in the Spirit, knowing Christ has authority over them. He has the power to crunch them, just as he crushed the serpent under his feet (Genesis 3:15. 

Crunch!

Dear Father, thank you that you help us take thoughts captive and declare authority over the lies of the enemy. Help us to be ever aware of your presence and your power in us as we do this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Think of some ways you can “crunch” unwanted thoughts in your life. Ask the Lord to intervene. Offer him your thoughts, knowing his grace is sufficient to give you strength to obey him.