Putting on the Armour of Christ with “Battlefield of the Mind”
If God is for you, then who can be against you?
No one wants to go through difficulty. No one wants to question their faith in God and his role in their life yet we all do at some point. We all have moments when we question God. We all have moments when we get angry, disappointed and life gets you down.
I see those moments of anxiety, disappointment and hopelessness as a time of battle. It’s a time of spiritual warfare and we must all learn how to be armed.
One of the ways to be armed is by being encouraged in your faith. Now, I’ve heard about Joyce Meyer for a while now. She is a prominent pastor who has published many books. However, this is my first read from Joyce. I read “Battlefield of the Mind,” and what a read it was.
For anyone going through challenges or anyone wanting to learn how to work on their mindset and mental health in a spiritual way, I encourage you to read this book.
In this article, I will share some of my favourite lessons from Joyce’s book.
Think Positive Thoughts to Reap Good Fruits
“The Bible says that a tree is known by its fruits. The same is true in our lives. Thoughts bear fruit. Think good thoughts, and the fruit in your life will be good. Think bad thoughts and the fruit in your life will be bad.”
Being mindful of our thoughts is one of the first few lessons that Joyce teaches us in her book. It is not a small lesson. It is one that has had a profound impact on my life.
As I’ve grown, I have learned to understand that my thought process has led me to misery, doubts and insecurity.
We must be mindful of our thoughts in our lives. This is not to say that sometimes you should not feel negative. There will be instances when you will not be your most cheerful self and that is okay. Feel the moment and let it pass. Then let your mind hold on to thoughts that are good. Keep fighting the negative thoughts so that you can reflect and ponder on what will bring positivity, light and growth to your journey.
One of the best ways to focus on good thoughts is to remind yourself that God desires good things for you. No matter the situation and the circumstance, know that the Almighty has great plans for you.
“ For, I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29: 11.
Focus on the Truth of God’s Words to Make a Way
“The devil never runs out of fiery darts to throw against us when we are trying to go forward. Lift up your shield of faith and remember James 1:2–8 which teaches us that we can ask God for wisdom in trials and He will give it to us and will show us what to do.”
You must know that the devil is always ready to attack with lies and deceit. When life feels unpleasant and unfair, that is when the devil comes in full force ready to tell you lies.
That is why you must be vigilant and adamant in the word of God. When you hold on to the word of God, you question the lie that says you are worthless. You question the lie that says your life has no value.
When the devil comes to attack with lies, defend yourself with the truth of God’s words. Defend yourself by reminding yourself of God’s plans for you. Remind yourself of all the good things that God has said about you.
When your faith is being shaken, go to your Bible, get down on your knees and pray to God. Ask God to strengthen you and continue to hold fast to his words to counteract the lies of the devil.
You can also remind yourself of all the good things that God has already done in your life.
Joyce says“We see from this passage that David’s response to his feelings of depression and gloom was not to meditate on the problem. Instead, he literally came against the problem by choosing to remember the good times of past days — pondering the doings of God and the works of his hands. In other words, he thought about something good, and it helped him overcome depression.”
Don’t Wander Far Away from God in order to not Lose Hope
“Instead of wondering about the weather or about how many people will attend one of my meetings, I can just turn the matter over to the Lord, trusting him to work out all things for good regardless of what happens.”
Joyce also goes ahead to write that “wondering leaves a person in indecision, and indecision causes confusion. Wondering, indecision and confusion prevent an individual from receiving from God, by faith, the answer to his prayer or need.”
As a creative person, I believe that sometimes life should not always be taken so seriously. You can let yourself go off direction and see where the journey takes you. When I write this, what I am saying is that accept that things won’t always be perfect. However, as a Christian, when you “wander,” do not wander off the sight of God. When you wander, do not get lost in anxiety and despair.
Continue to remain rooted in God and his plans for your life.
Depend Not on Humans but on God for His Strength and Grace
“I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through him who infused inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency.” Philippians 4: 12, 13.
We will all have moments that bring us sadness and cause us to question our faith. But just because we go through these moments doesn’t mean that we give up on God. It does not mean that we give up on our life. We have to know and believe that our later days will be better than our former days.
You have to know that after you have suffered a while, God will bless and establish you.
When you feel weak, when you feel lost, ask the God above to give you his strength. Ask the God above to fill you with peace that surpasses all understanding. Ask the God above to give you the grace to keep carrying your cross.
Defeat Evil and Wickedness with the Love of God
“Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticised and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you use to deal out to others, it will be dealt again to you.” Matthew 7: 1,2.
Joyce Meyer goes on to write “If you and I have an ability and a command from God to love others but instead of doing that, we judge and criticize them, we have taken the holy thing (love) and cast it before dogs and hogs (demon spirits). We have opened a door for them to trample on holy things and turn and tear us to pieces.”
Our God is a loving and just God. The same love that he has for us is the way he expects us to treat others.
We are to treat others with love even though while living in this world, you encounter people who will treat you poorly. People can be wicked and mean. People can hurt your feelings and it can be tempting to dish that same treatment back.
But even if you stumble and act out of character, know you can always return to God. You can always ask for forgiveness and pray that God will lead and guide you to being a better person. To do what is right in his eyes.
We must always seek God’s love and light because that is the way out of darkness.
Know that No One is too Small Or Weak for God to Use Them
“I had many problems within myself. I would not have appeared to be ministry material but God chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27KV). He looks on the heart of the man and not the flesh ( 1 Samuel 16:7). If the heart is right, God can change the flesh.”
Joyce Meyer is a well-known Christian Minister and Author with several titles under her belt, yet she says that she did not initially believe that God would call her. That God could use her to preach the Good News but he did.
God can call and use anyone which is why you can’t underestimate the way God sees you.
You must have that strong belief to know that God is not one to dismiss or disregard anyone. As a matter of fact, God will choose and use who you least expect to surprise others. To show the world that he can do anything.
When you are fighting the devil, know that you are not too small or insignificant. God will stand by your side and defend you even if this world rejects you.
Final Thoughts
This life that we lead is not one that is without problems. It is one that is filled with problems. In our walk with God, the devil will come against us and attack us.
When this happens, you must fight and not with boxing gloves but with the word of God. The word of God is the greatest armour against the devil.
The word of God is the greatest defence against evil and wickedness. The word of God is the best guide when you are searching for the light.
Hold on to God’s words, declare it against the lies and let God’s truth shine a light in your journey.
Know that no matter what comes against you, God is for you. You have a good God who says that never will I leave or forsake you.
I hope you enjoyed reading my favourite lessons from “Battlefield of the Mind.” If you haven’t yet read it, you should do so. If you have read it, share with me your favourite lessons from the book. Also, if you have a Christian book to recommend to me, I’d love to read it.
