Being true to myself... or Taking my Thoughts Captive - Who Wins??

I can't count the times that I have had the argument in my head:

The Pastor invites us to enter into worship - I know I should - after all God's worth hasn't changed since the last time I checked.. but my Pastor doesn't understand the pressures at work; the financial concerns weighing on my mind; the guilt I feel for treating my child so meanly this morning; the shame I feel as once again I enter a service and realize that the last time I worshiped... was last Sunday in church. I am sure you can understand why I can't worship - In fact - If I were to worship right now, it would be fake, and God doesn't like fake Christians. So, if you don't mind, I am just going to be true to how I'm feeling right now, God understands, you should to!

Does this sound familiar?? This was me for a long time, until I came to the realization that my feelings didn't have to win, I was in charge! Just because I am having a bad day doesn't change whether God is good, God is able, God is worthy, God is Faithful, God is loving, God is my defender, God is my healer, God is my rest, or God is my peace. However, letting my bad day dictate whether I get into God's presence or not WILL determine whether I will get to know and experience that God is good, God is able, God is worthy, God is Faithful, God is loving, God is my defender, God is my healer, God is my rest, or that God is my peace on this Sunday or whether I will leave the same way we came.

Yes, it is true that we shouldn't be fake Christians.. I get all that, but what happened to taking how we feel, our worries, our stresses, our anxious thoughts, our petitions whatever we might be carrying - taking them CAPTIVE... and laying them at the cross - turning our burden over to him who is able to do more than we can think or imagine?

I do not think that we realize the gift God has given us, in allowing us to worship him with abandon - whenever.. wherever.. in thankfullness, in worship, in pain, in heartache. Jesus becomes our refuge, our hiding place, our secret Garden. When we take our thoughts captive and make them acknowledge Christ - HE is faithful to take our burden and exchange it for his - which is light, which is peace.

Who wins the argument... rests entirely with me... but I will not be robbed again! I dare you.. right now.. where you are... to take your thoughts captive... and worship (even if you have to do it silently)... here's a song to help: Your Love is Extravagant by: Casting Crowns

Your love is extravagant.
Your friendship is so intimate.
I find I’m moving to the rhythms of Your grace.
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place. Your love is extravagant.

1 Corinthians 9:27
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.