MIND ATTACK

In my last post I was talking about how some things that you struggle with just keep coming back time and time again. I have some of those things in my life. Things that are just a constant struggle for me. At times they don't bother me at all. That is when I get comfortable. I start thinking...Yep, I got it beat, I will never be bothered by it again. Then WHAM!!! Just like when a charging lion attacks it's prey...I am blindsided one more time. That's when I have to ask myself...

Why does it happen with such force? Why am I so surprised by the onset of this struggle happening again? In my mind these are good questions that I have asked myself many times. My answer usually depends on what the struggle is about. If I am struggling with a temptation the answers come easily for me. I have been down that road sooo many times. But...sometimes my battle is not a temptation. Sometimes it's what I call a mind attack. You might not know what I'm talking about so I will try to explain...

Any "thing" that satan can use to keep your mind on something other than GOD, and the things of GOD, he will use. He will attack us in our thoughts...a mind attack. For me it's something that is defined as; False Evidence Appearing Real...plain and simple, it's called FEAR! In one form or another I had a problem with that for years. Since becoming a Christian GOD has helped me to overcome most of those things. But, every now and again something happens that brings the old fears back. Usually it's just a thought. Something that takes place in the mind.

However, satan is a crafty thing. He doesn't bring them all back at once, he starts small. He plants the thoughts in my mind one at a time. A little here and a little there. Before I know it I'm struggling to stay on top. Out of the muck and mire that fear can drag you down into. The problem is, I don't always realize what is going on right at the start. When you don't catch on right away the hold on you just gets stronger. The question now is...how do you stop the fear?

Now I will try to answer those questions.

Why does it happen with such force? Because satan is trying to knock us off course. The harder he hits us the more off balance we will be. If he can keep us afraid and filled with fear we won't be a lot of good when it comes to talking to people about GOD. We won't be able to do the work that GOD has for each of us to do to further HIS kingdom. And, we won't be growing in our own lives because we are only thinking about what we are afraid of and how to fix it. It could be that GOD has been preparing us for some sort of a breakthrough in our lives and the little devil doesn't want it to happen. There could be many other reasons.

Why am I so surprised that it's happening again? Like I said earlier. You get comfortable with how things are going. You start thinking that this is just a cakewalk. Life is good and "I" have it all under control. That is definitely the wrong way to think at anytime. Even if it's only for a moment.

How do you stop the fear? The best ways are to start talking to GOD and reading HIS WORD. Look up scriptures about fear. Try to memorize some of them. Keep your thoughts on GOD as much as you can. Tell satan to get away from you, that "you" are a child of GOD and he can't hurt you. Do whatever it is you need to do to only think about good and GODLY things. Thank the LORD for everything HE has done in your life.

The fears may not stop immediately. You may continue to have some problems with them for awhile. Don't give in or give up. The goal is to prove to the devil that...Because of your LORD and KING, you are stronger than anything he can throw at you.

2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.


Deuteronomy 31:6 (New King James Version
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”


Isaiah 41:13 (New King James Version)
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’


Hebrews 13:6 (New King James Version)
So we may boldly say:
“ The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”

Philippians 4:6-7 (New King James Version)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.