The Battlefield of the Mind - Day 1

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

I started this 14-day study that I spoke of here, when I contemplated the mind and acknowledging that it truly is a battlefield.  And this verse in Ephesians...and it is so true!

Now, I disagree with this quote...as I believe that only God sees us fully...so how can this be a human offering?  And yet...the battle that rages in the mind can cause one to doubt that love when He is able to see who and what we are...our failures and blunders...parts others do not see.


This is SO where Satan gets me every day...and Oh the curse of the introvert who tends to have a committee between the ears. Satan is NOT part of that committee...but he tries to disguise himself as one on a regular basis. And...he sits there often...interjecting unrecognized.

Lately he has been saying things such as: "you blew it," "you're a has-been," "you're unqualified," "God can't use you," "You are fat, out of shape, your prime years are behind you," "you will never be who you once were." And he surely knows how to lay on the guilt.

But I am to blame, as well. What do I expect when I wear no weapons to defend his attacks? How can I expect to be strong when I am spiritually malnourished? What, Denise, can you do...NOW...TODAY?

"I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me the strength." His strength.

Today is March 10. The weather is unseasonably near 70 degrees in northeast Ohio. Panic sets in. I do not want to go through this wonderful season hot, sweaty, overweight, and out of shape. Most of all, because it does NOT glorify God or show gratitude for what He has given me...this body, this life, this day, this chance...

This is the day the Lord has made...let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 118:24



What's In Your Mind?

Edster and I were driving home, after he picked me up from work...

We are both Baby Boomers born in the late 1950's...and lately we've been enjoying a local AM station that features news on the hour and songs from the 60's and 70's.  (Does anyone remember when most stations were AM...and transistor radios?)

So there we were listening...and I heard this song by Gordon Lightfoot, which inspired this photo:

As I've gotten older, I seem to carry more and more in my head...keep things inside versus talking so much.

What tales could your mind tell?  What do you with your tales?  Do you write them down?  Do you use a creative outlet?  Do you tell them to a friend?  Do you let them remain inside for fear no one would understand?  Are these tales full of kind words and support?  Or are they filled with negativity and things that tear you down?  Do they get bigger and almost unmanageable?

As a mental health therapist, I think about cognitive therapy developed by Aaron Beck and rational emotive therapy developed by Albert Ellis based on cognitive theory.  To put it in a nutshell: What the mind thinks, effects one's emotions, which ultimately directs one's behavior.

But wasn't this written about ages ago by Solomon?

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he...  Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
 

And so, despite my Master's education, it is in an ancient book, one that is "living and active" that holds the keys to the thoughts and tales that weigh us down.

One of my favorite verses is in Lamentations 26:3 that holds one of those secrets...

You keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (ESV)
 

And if our thoughts are as powerful as Beck and Ellis assert, the Apostle Paul beat them to the punch:

...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
 

I came across a great site by accident (yeah, right) called YouVersion.  You can also downoad the app for iPhone, Blackberry, and Android here. They have a variety of reading plans/devotionals.  I found one called, "Battlefield of the Mind" which can be done in 14 days!

I am grateful for God's word that can counter the negative thoughts and "tales" in our heads...that it brings us hope and focuses us into His reality, on which should be our mindset that always brings perfect peace.