Battles of the Mind and Heart

I have quietly struggled lately with my thoughts and emotions, a swirling muddy mess in my mind and in my heart.  My struggle would be lost on most people.  There is nothing really obvious that would indicate something is amiss.  If anything, someone might have noticed an odd facial expression or an undertone in my words, but for the most part, it’s been a silent battle and the pasted smile on my face provides the thin veil needed to make others feel comfortable in my presence.

I’m very much aware that the battle I am facing is not from the Lord, but I am convinced that the Lord is allowing me to endure it so that I may learn to negotiate the conflict.  He has been very faithful to immediately address my thoughts and emotions through His Holy Spirit as they occur.  Though the war inside has been a tumultuous mix of anger, pride, irritation, fear, jealously, envy, loneliness, self-pity, regret, etc…God has steadfastly guided me through the enemy’s campaign.

When a new onslaught from the enemy comes in to subtly attack, the Holy Spirit leads me here:  “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

He reminds me that I do not have the weapons in and of myself to fight this battle, but He does, and His weapons are powerful.  With them I am able to crush strongholds and arguments set up by the enemy, and I am able to take captive every intruding, lying thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God (aka the truth), and I am able to bring it into submission to the authority of Christ…Christ, the one who has ALREADY won the war.

Then the Holy Spirit has me, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around [my] waist…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:14a, 17b   He girds me with the truth.  He speaks it boldly into the chaos of my heart and mind and calms the storm.  He uses scriptures to firm up the truth that He’s speaking and reminds me of who I am and what is accurate and correct according to the Word of God.

Perhaps you have been fighting battles of the mind and heart, too.  If so, remember, God has already made a road map for combating the enemy.  The battle is His, just remember to make room for His Holy Spirit to do what only HE can do.  Let Him lead you into crushing the devil’s lies with the truth.  Wear the armor you’ve been given, stay strong, and rest in the Lord.