Mind Games
Today after dropping Debbie off for her appointment in Lakewood, I had the opportunity to visit with my friends Ron and Sharon Graham. Ron was one of those who came and spent a night or two with me when I was still in the Acute Care Hospital awaiting surgery last year. They have been good friends and an encouragement to me.
We returned to Fort Collins in time for me to get a good nap in before the church service this evening at Timberline. Pastor Dary incorporated my story into his message and had Debbie and me come forward and to pray for people who were facing challenging circumstances in their lives. I was glad that Dawn Morrissey the COO of Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital was in the service this evening.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:4,5
When the challenges of life come on us the struggle is often as much in our mind and spirits as our bodies and emotions. There is a battle waging war in our minds. Our minds will determine our perspective of life and the situation that we are in and lead us in a direction in life. The issue at hand is whether that direction will be one of patience, trust and confidence or anger, resentment and bitterness.
Paul is very clear that the Lord gives us powerful weapons to destroy the spiritual strongholds of doubt and fear that attack our faith. I was never in debate club in school, but my adult life has found me in positions where I had to fight for a position and counter the arguments of others.
I like Paul’s words when he says we “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion…” An argument is an attempt to defeat and persuade. A “lofty opinion” is an expression to pride and an attempt to condemn and belittle. In our world today we see these as Paul says, “against the knowledge of God.”
We need to God’s Word to strengthen our knowledge of God. Peter said, “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) A little bit of knowledge can leave you vulnerable to deception. Satan even tempted Jesus by using God’s Word.
Then Paul says, “we take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Times of struggle bring the mind games of doubt, confusion and despair. The voices we hear can speak defeat and discouragement. It is important to counter those thoughts with what God’s Word says.
- When we think we face an impossible situation, we are reminded, “with God all things are possible.”
- When we doubt God’s love, we are reminded, “nothing shall separate us from the love of God.”
- When we don’t believe we can, we are reminded, “I can do all things through Christ, who give me strength.”
- When we fear financial ruin, we are reminded, “my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches….”
The Lord empowers us to win the “mind games” that can pull us down and helps us to join us the Apostle Paul in saying, “thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”