Fighting Over Nothing - 101

The van. Arguably, one of the most stressful places on the face of the earth. Confined space, three boys, a tired mama, unbalanced tires, a floor full of crushed Fruit Loops, torn interior and a whole lot of noise. Stress.

So, in hopes to minimize further chaos, I rarely allow Ethan and Grant to sit beside each other.

The temptation to pick one another to death is far too great.

But, when the grandparents came into town, the boys begged to sit by one another to make room for extra passengers.

"O.K. But no fighting. No picking. No teasing. No hitting. No grabbing. None of it. Got it?"

"Got it! We won't!!"

And they didn't. For a couple of days.

Until...

Ethan - "Stop it Grant! No!!! Let me have it!"

Grant - "Give me the book! It is mine! I decide what chapter he's on."

Ethan - "But he is my pumpkin! I get to decide. I say he is on chapter 7! Don't turn the page!!"

3 - 2 - 1.... "Ahhh! Stop!! Owww! Mommmm!"

"What is going on?! What are you fighting about?"

I turn around to find a large pumpkin, strapped in a seat belt. Seated between the boys. Reading a book.

Yes, I just said that.

The argument? What chapter the pumpkin is reading.

"Boys. You are fighting about a pumpkin - reading a book. A pumpkin reading a book. Are you kidding me? Something that isn't even real is causing turmoil in this van. It's make believe. You are fighting over nothing."

It frustrates me to think of all the time spent breaking up fights over silly things. Over nothing.

Hmm. I bet God feels the same way about me.

How often do I get worked up over nothing. Make believe. Thoughts I conjure up in my mind. Lies I dwell on.

Becky - If you called your friends more...
Becky - If you weren't so lazy...
Becky - If your house was a little nicer...
Becky - If you could only go to seminary...
Becky - If you weren't so selfish...
Becky - If you could only be a better friend...
Becky - If you were a little prettier...
Becky - If you were in better shape...
Becky - If you weren't such a selfish wife...
Becky - If you weren't so mean to your kids...
Becky - If you weren't such a loser....
Becky - If you didn't have such a sinful past...
Becky - If your kids were better behaved...
Becky - If you were a better mother....
Becky...Becky....Becky....

I wonder if the Lord gets tired of telling me..... Are you kidding me? Something that isn't even real is causing you turmoil. Becky - It's make believe. You are fighting over nothing.

Warfare starts in my head. So much turmoil begins with what I believe..

The battlefield of the mind.

The enemy wants to wear me out in my thought life. If he succeeds there, I am less effective for the Lord. I am discouraged, defeated and tired. I feel insignificant, useless and unworthy.

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. - 2 Corinthians 10:3

The enemy wants to steal my worth.

Game on.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strong holds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:4,5

I love this. Paul doesn't say, "Consider this....how about destroying arguments and lofty opinions. Maybe try taking your thoughts captive."

No. He says. WE DESTROY ARGUMENTS. TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE.

This is active! It is what we do. As Christians this is how we fight. Destroy the lies. Put them up against the Word of God.

Lies. Can. Not. Stand.

Let us not, for one more day, allow ourselves to get worked up over nothing. Let us not be in turmoil over make believe. Let's grow in our knowledge of what God says about us. How does he see us? What does he think about us?

How do we take a thought captive?
We replace it with truth.

Put that lie up against the Word of God and see how it fairs. It doesn't stand a chance.

Becky - If you didn't have such a sinful past... STOP. The Lord says my sins are blotted out. He doesn't even remember them. Isaiah 43:25.

Becky - If you were a better mother...STOP. I may not be perfect, but the Lord says his grace is sufficient for me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Becky - If you would only go to seminary you could...STOP. The Word says the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach me all things and bring to my remembrance all that He says to me (John 14:26). He is growing me in wisdom. I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).

And on and on. Every thought captive.

Oh Lord, thank you for that silly pumpkin. Thank you for reminding me how to combat lies. Thank you for the reminder that I am armed, with your Word, to destroy EVERY argument. Grow me in this Lord. Grow all of us. Let us walk in freedom today - believing what you say. Free from turmoil...over nothing.

For more scripture of what God says about you click here.

I had my camera handy.