Did you know that 89% of us will experience a replay of persistent negative thoughts in our minds? It is difficult to find control over persistent thoughts and refrain from dwelling on them. How do you control them?
I remember when thoughts of my son’s death took control and bombarded my mind. I felt like I was going crazy. “Who would ever want to hurt my son?” Murder! Mike’s gone…how can this be? I was numb and confused…engulfed by fear, and inundated by the investigation and future trial. Weak, and unprepared, I was put on the front lines of battle. I was angry and ready to fight with any strength I could muster up. I found it overwhelming, an incapable task of my own. I had no power! My fleshly resources were insufficient to fight the battle alone. I failed only to discover that by God’s power could I withstand the enemy and all that came against me and my family.
Warfare
Warfare is here and it is a part of life. The fight! The struggle! The pain! Tribulations are the daily battles of life. During intense persecution our thinking is affected, as we ruminate over intrusive thoughts within the mind, it causes stress, anxiety and worry. Then there is the outward manifestations of conflicts all around us – unsettling as they are, they deplete our strength. It is difficult not to dwell on the circumstances that overwhelm us.
Sometimes even the flesh, persuades us to fight in our own human power, armed with fleshly tactics instead of leaning on the Lord’s strength. If you find yourself fraught with anxiety from assaults, or accusations whether mental or physical, inward or outward, acknowledge where they come from and what they are set out to do. They are from the enemy of our soul and not from God! They challenge our faith and our position, as a child of the Almighty. They cause us to question our trust in the Lord.Let’s remember Jesus words that we will have troubles but He has overcome all the troubles of this world.
“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (1)
We can rest in the arms of Jesus and keep truth close at heart.
Truth is our protection
Truth serves as a protection against lies and deceit. God’s has implanted in our hearts the Spirit of truth, (His Holy Spirit) to refute any proud argument that comes against us. In the strength God provides we can claim our saving strength. Our defense is in the sufficiency of the death and resurrection of Christ.
Jesus is our shield and defender; He is the firm, impenetrable Rock, our Redeemer!
Jesus is more than strong enough to dismantle Satan’s influences. Through Jesus’ power anything that sets itself up against Him is pull-down. Any stronghold or argument which would draw us away from the saving merits of Christ alone can be taken captive.
Captive thoughts
As we walk in the spirit we are controlled by the Spirit, tune to hearing the Shepherd’s voice. We take every through captive to the obedience of Christ. “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power and destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2)
Heavenly Father You know all about me, You know when I rise and when a lay down. You know my struggles and all about my cares and fears. I commend all these things into Your hands and willingly comment obey You. Amen
Footnote:
1. John 16:33
2. 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5
All Scriptures taken from the esv
Addressing Crisis Together Ministry 