Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex. Hebrews 13:4 (Message) 

Meditate on these following verses and personalize them. Don't focus on the current state of the relationship: "What she doesn't do"; "What he did"; "She doesn't trust me"; "He takes me for granted"; "She's always complaining"; "He's only intimate for sex";  and on and on. These may be valid thoughts and feelings, but what we dwell on we empower to grow. You cannot "change" someone else but the word can change you both. See what the word declares as spiritual truth that is coming to be naturally seen as you draw it out with faith. Speak healing, forgiveness, and renewal. Speak, believe and stand. You may be directed for a faith filled action or faith filled silence. You will know. Let God flow.

And bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5b

More and more, the Lord is revealing that our lives follow the path of our most dominant thoughts. This is not said to put anyone in condemnation for some of the hardships that they may have experienced, but to say that we need to take responsibility for the way that we think and the thoughts that we allow because they do have great and lasting impact on our lives.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God – 2 Corinthians 10:5a

Before we come to the focal “b” portion of 2 Corinthians 10:5 (coming up in part 6) let’s pause to bring clarity to some of part “a”. The Apostle Paul was primarily writing here in concern of defending the Gospel against systems of worldly philosophy that he had been encountering.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds – 2 Corinthians 10:4

From the time we get up in the morning until the time we lay down there will be a continual stream of thoughts coming at us and one of the things that we have attempted to show in this series is just how ill-equipped we actually are at handling our own mind… on our own. For example, I may consider myself a good driver but that doesn’t mean that I’m ready to go NASCAR, and

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh - 2 Corinthians 10:3

Naturally, there will be times of disagreements, confrontations, and words spoken without the loving attitude that we would like but that is not what this writing is addressing. This “Taking Thoughts” section is dealing with after the initial words have been said or offensive action made. Many times we do the right thing in holding our tongue at the time of the trial. But then afterwards…

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. – Romans 8:18

Perspective is everything. Another key in taking thoughts captive and keeping our minds from being overburdened with care and worry concerning what we may be currently facing is building up our hope and expectation on what God has before us – waaay over. 

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. – Psalms 34:1

Many don’t realize the destructive force of worry and doubt. They are a part of Satan’s system of fear that can deafen the ears of the believer from hearing God’s voice of direction, open doors to satan to meddle in our lives, and hinder the effectiveness of our faith. When we feel that we have too much on our mind, it could be a sign of not enough from our mouth.