Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table

Everyone has negative thoughts – some talk about it but most don’t. Are you out there suffering in silence? Have you had some days when it’s just too hard to handle? This last year has really brought mental status and health to the front of many peoples thoughts. I included more and more lately. Not just my own mental status but everyone. If I have days that are not all sunshine and roses then so does everyone else.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 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. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

The enemy comes after us and think about this – he is not a rookie, he is a master at telling us lies, he battles us daily and keeps coming, especially when we are down and feeling low. His game of choice is to beat you up, beat me up. His want is to demolish our strongholds.

Here is another thought – the enemy was crafty enough to coerce angels out of Heaven so he is smart enough to give us a run for the money too.

If a professional basketball player needs a coach - then anyone – every day walking talking people need help to conquer negative thoughts or feelings.

I have listened to and absorbed several things lately that are lie-busters. Negative-thought-combatant. Here are just some I’ve remembered here.

Identify the lies then attack them with truth

Default thoughts – renewing your mind – uncross the wires with the truth of who God says I am.

Identify where thoughts are wrong – figure out where did that come from? The why behind the what.

If a negative thing happened – Consider - How could God have used that to shape me in to who I am today?

Interpreting a struggle through the lens of God – come closer to God through the suffering.

You can’t change what has happened but you can look for the goodness of God in it.

Our mind generally moves in the direction of our strongest thoughts.

You’ll always find what you are looking for – pre-determining: before you go in deciding how you’ll find meaning decide ahead of time the attitude you will have going in.

Have you ever walked in a room and wanted to immediately escape? Remember this: Every heart in the room feels an element of insecurity – that’s just the plain and simple truth. Many times you are thinking you are the only one because you can only hear the lies in your own head. Believe that everyone else feels lost at times, feels insecure, feels like running.

Don’t give the enemy a seat at your table.

What is the spiritual truth that counteracts that lie?

Create emotions around words – scriptural declarations

I am blessed belong to Jesus – I’m blessed to share His love with others.

Christ in me is stronger than any desire (or thought) that’s wrong in me.

Though this day may be difficult – I choose to see the good in it and I choose to see God in all things. I am called according to his purpose

12 minutes a day of intentional focused prayer for just 8 weeks will create a change your mind enough to show up on a brain scan

Lies we believe are SO STRONG, heard them and /or believed them for a long time. Counter thoughts: We belong to God – ambassadors – overcomers. Take the truth form it in a way that is person it will renew our minds. Default thoughts go to good

The world will be different and better because I served Jesus today.

Write it – think it –confess it - believe it

That thought process can be interrupted – with the truth and word of God. Spiraling thoughts are what we are talking about. Word of God – sword of truth. Spirit of God is our helper, councilor friend, reminder – he walks with me – alive and inside me. Not just in heaven on his throne – but in us.

Somebody needs to know what you are struggling with today. You have fought these thoughts or lies for a long time. That’s a stronghold –you can conquer it by saying it out loud. God is more powerful than the enemy. Shame or embarrassment stops us from sharing.

Enemy is strategic about “when” he strikes - like at night when we are tired or sleepy.

Do we feed our fear? Enemy - The truth is not in him, he was a liar from the beginning.

The story of the two wolves An old Cherokee Indian chief was teaching his grandson about life. He said, "A fight is going on inside me," he told the young boy, "a fight between two wolves. The Dark one is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The Light Wolf is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you grandson…and inside of every other person on the face of this earth.” The grandson ponders this for a moment and then asked, "Grandfather, which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee smiled and simply said, "The one you feed".

Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart, please grant the same for all those who read this. Our souls are like a turbulent sea. ... Give us the strength and clarity of mind to find our purpose and walk the path You've laid out for us. We trust Your Love God, and know that You will heal this stress.

Praying in Jesus most precious name - AMEN