“When we fail to take out thoughts captive, they shape our perspectives in ways that exaggerate the struggles we are facing and underestimate the power of God. . . . Negativity is like an infection that spreads. Pessimism becomes its own pandemic. Everyone is complaining and critical and ready to book their return to Egypt.”- Kyle Idleman
“But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.’ Then the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.’ So the brought to the people a bad report of the land they had spied out.”- Numbers 13:30-32 (ESV)
As Kyle Idleman moves on in Chapter 10 of Every Thought Captive, he talks about the Israelites when they finally stood at the precipice of the Promised Land. A land promised to them years earlier through Abraham. The moment generation after generation anticipated. And now they stood right in front of the promised land. Not, Kyle quips, the:
- I’m contemplating it land.
- We’ll see land.
- I’ll consider it land.
- We’ll talk about it later land.
So, the Israelites sent twelve spies to investigate a land that God already promised them. Finally, after forty days, the spies returned with their report. A great example of perspective, Kyle notes. Because, the author reminds us, “it’s not what we see; it’s what we think we see.”
As a result, Pastor Idleman cautions:
“[The spies] report essentially goes like this: ‘Just like God said, the land is awesome. And just like you asked, we brought fruit back. But . . .’
But is always a dangerous word when it comes to our perspective. Too often, it’s ‘I know what God said and I know what he promised, but . . .’ and that’s exactly what happens here.”
Today’s question: When do you find yourself prone to exaggerate the struggles you face? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Lens of fear vs. lens of faith”