I expect most of you reading this Mom’s Corner are familiar with the following verse and would say you believe it and that it is true in your life. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Yet I wonder how often we actually let Scripture fill our minds for “instruction in righteousness” rather than letting negative thoughts control us when we find ourselves in situations where we are fearful, worried, discouraged, worn out, or stressed out.
As homeschooling moms your days are going to be filled with opportunities to grow in righteousness. May you seize them and turn what might discourage into steps of growth.
Just One Example
There are many verses we could go to, but for an example, let’s look at this verse: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
- able
- all grace
- abound
- alway
- all sufficiency
- all things
- abound
- every good work
Look at the amazing list of words in that verse that proclaim God’s ability and desire to grow us in lives that will bring Him glory.
Paul’s Experience
Consider Paul, the man who wrote that verse, and what he lived through. “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:24-28). Thankfully the challenges a homeschool mom faces don’t compare to what Paul faced with joy in Christ.
How We Are Changed
Paul experienced all of those tribulations but was still able to tell us that God could make “all grace abound” toward us so that we have all we need to abound to every good work. Consider what that does for us when we move our thoughts from our troubles to 2 Corinthians 9:8, looking to Scripture for our instruction in righteousness. Now we worship God for His majesty and greatness in all He is able to do in us and through us. We have confidence that He is in charge of whatever we face. We know He will supply us with what we need to walk well through the trouble we are in the midst of or face. Our thoughts move from our fears and insufficiency to His grace and ability. Remember 2 Corinthians 9:8 is just one example of a verse, amidst many in Scripture, that we can utilize for our “instruction in righteousness.”
Our Choice
I know how easy it is to fall into thinking our own thoughts, stewing, worrying, and stressing. Even though the Lord taught me the path of taking thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) many years ago, when I struggled with depression, I can still find myself with these kinds of negative thoughts. But I can also tell you that joy comes when I take my thoughts captive and bring them into the obedience of Christ, through His Word. I sure prefer living that way.
Could I encourage you, when you find yourself filled with negative, troublesome thoughts to remember Scripture is given to you for “instruction in righteous.” Then put Scripture in your mind. That may mean you need to memorize some Scripture – like 2 Corinthians 9:8 – so you can have it there and are able to keep using it if, and when, the wrong thoughts come back.
It is a choice we each have probably many times a day. It is a part of Paul’s direction in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to take our thoughts captive. I think you can do it, and that you will have a quieter heart when you do.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).