Overcoming Daily Battles

How many of you are currently facing battles? I would bet most of us have a challenge of some kind that we're dealing with.

It may be financial or health issues, a difficult situation in your family or on the job, you may even be dealing with a battle within your own mind trying to overcome fearful, anxious, or worrisome thoughts.

I'm currently reading the book called "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer and it's been a great reminder that we need to be aware of our thoughts. When we become troubled, we begin doubting ourselves or that our situation will change. This book shows us how to gain control over our minds so that we stop the damaging thoughts from influencing our life. We do this by arming ourselves with God’s spiritual weapons which are His Word and through prayer and praise!

We need to put on the armor of God and Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us how to do this vs 11 says "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Every morning we should get in the habit of mentally preparing ourselves for the day, visualize yourself putting on this armor.

Joyce says, “the truth is always revealed through the Word, but sadly we don’t always accept it.” Are you trusting what God is saying to you in Matthew 6:25-24? It tells us not to worry about our life, take some time to read through these verses today and ask God to reveal the message He wants you to hear.

Joyce reminds us that our spiritual life is dependent upon us spending regular quality time with God. This is vital to building a deeper relationship with Him. The more you know God's Word the easier it is to take a stand against the devil because you know what is true and what is a lie. I want to encourage you to read God's Word daily and make it a priority in your life! Let's get out of the habit of allowing excuses (the devil) to keep us from spending time with God.

Remember the devil is relentless, he will do anything he can to distract you and to keep you from thinking about God’s promises. John 8:44 tells us the devil is a liar and the father of lies. We must be mindful of this and keep this perspective because the devil’s goal is to keep you feeling insecure, negative, unhappy, and stressed. When we give in to this negative mindset he wins!

Whenever I have faced multiple challenges in a row, I've said to myself, “I am about to be blessed because the devil is bringing everything, he can against me.” By saying this, it removed my frustrations and changed my perspective of it. I was reminded that God is in control I don't have to fear what the outcome will be because I know God is already there!

Start asking yourself if your thoughts are from God or the devil. The minute you realize it’s not from God dismiss it and tell the devil to flee and he will.

James 4:7

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Friends, my prayer is that God will continuously strengthen you in mind, body, and spirit. May we all be mindful and intentional with changing our thoughts the minute they become negative. Life is meant to be lived with our focus on God's goodness and all that He can do!

Matthew 19:26 NIV

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Philippians 4:13

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Here's a few passages to reflect on: Philippians 4:6-9; Isaiah 41:10; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 1:7-9

Your challenge is to take inventory of your thoughts and be intentional with changing them when you recognize they are not from God. I also want to encourage you to pray about this and ask God to help you. James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” What a blessing to know that God is not judging us but instead He is equipping us with His wisdom when we ask for it.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime