Take Your Thoughts Captive

Think before you speak.

This common phrase is one you’ll hear hundreds of times throughout your life. Whether you hear this from your mom, your teacher, or even your boss, It should be taken to heart. When we get worked up, we tend to just spew our feelings vocally, often leading to excessive anger or emotion in our words. While this may allow us to vent, it often causes more problems than the ones it solves. When words leave our mouths unchecked, we say things that sometimes we don’t even mean, things that can hurt others or even damage our own reputation. That’s why it’s important to take your thoughts captive before you release them.

Unfortunately, I’ve had a few instances where I had to learn the importance of thinking before I speak through making mistakes; mistakes that cost me friendships and damaged people’s view of me. If you are worked up at all, maybe angry or sad, maybe just irritated, I urge you to take your thoughts captive and ask yourself if you really mean what you’re about to say; half the time you will realize you don’t, and will save yourself a lot of trouble. Even if you realize you do mean it, ask yourself if it really needs to be said. “Will saying this hurt me or someone else?” “Could saying this have a negative outcome, either presently or in the future?” Asking yourself these questions will help you keep your words in check and avoid saying things you regret. Take it from someone who learned the hard way, it will change your life for the better.

-Braden Schmidt 11-16-2019