Years ago that was the title of my message at a women’s retreat. When the butterfly comes out of the cocoon, it is all wet and its body is swollen with fluid. It has to struggle to distribute all the fluid into its wings so it can fly.

We may have thoughts about others, ourselves, or our circumstances that do not please the Lord. It is only when we entertain those thoughts that we disobey His command to bring every thought captive.

I have learned that when an unacceptable thought enters my mind, I do not give it another thought. I capture it and strangle the life out of it through thanksgiving. I make my next thought focused on a way of thanking the Lord. 

That fulfills His will of 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”