Doubting Castle

Thoughts raced through my mind. I felt like I was being punished. Why had the Lord allowed me to get in an accident? At first, I was convinced that I'd be fine if the physical pain subsided. But long after my back healed from the soft tissue damage I'd experienced, I was plagued by anxiety. Irrational fears haunted my days and I was unable to sleep at night. What was happening to me? Never before had I encountered such a fierce mental struggle.

Unwittingly, I had uncovered a stronghold in my thought process. If something bad happened, it meant that God didn't love me. I had given the enemy a foothold in my life. Peter shares an excellent description of the enemy, in addition to some good advice, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8; KJV).

I was familiar with the words penned by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds); Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ," (emphasis mine). According to these verses, the battle was taking place in my mind. The most effective way to influence my actions was to influence my thinking. The enemy was well aware of this and bombarded me with lies, hoping that I wouldn't be able to distinguish a lie from the truth.

Throughout my struggle, God's word assured me that I was not alone. He walked beside me each step of the way, no matter how I felt. The Lord even provided armor for me that would protect me from my enemy. I didn't have to develop a strategy or plot a sneak attack, God's word promised me that all I had to do was stand: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13). If I would wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and lift up the shield of faith which is "able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked," the Lord promised to help me overcome (Ephesians 6:16).

Doctors and counselors played a role in my healing process. Ultimately, it was the word of God that restored my hope and joy. Once I was able to identify my stronghold and recognize the lie I was believing, I was able to replace the lie with God's truth. I was reminded of God's love for me in the book of Romans, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (5:8). When I chose to believe that God truly loved me and began living like the person of value He created me to be, the chains that imprisoned me were loosed and I could walk away from my stronghold.

Once I was set free, I had a choice to make: would I continue to walk in the truth, or when difficulty struck, would I revert back to a lie? In Galatians 5:1 I'm encouraged to, "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." God's plan is for me to live in the liberty of Christ - secure in His love. Trusting that the things He allows to come into my life are ultimately for my good and His glory.

Are you wrestling with a stronghold? Replace any lies you've believed with the truth of God's word. Use your newly found 'key' of truth to open the gates of 'Doubting Castle.' Take a step of faith today and return to the Master's path for your life!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Word. I know that it is powerful. Today I'm choosing to believe the words of 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Help me walk in faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Staying Out of Prison

There were no steel bars. No guards to prevent my escape. Yet I was a prisoner. A prisoner to thoughts and fears that immobilized me. The more I focused on my fears, the stronger my imaginary prison cell became, until there was no breaking free.

Negative thinking gave rise to all sorts of suspicions. I was afraid of what others thought of me. What they might be saying. Without being aware of it, I had fallen prey to the deceptive thought -trail of depression.

As the downward spiral continued, it was virtually impossible for me to concentrate on anything other than my perceived problems. I wanted to be free, but didn’t have the strength to leave this prison cell of my own making. How was I to escape? My thinking had to change.

Over the course of nine, long months, the Lord used family, friends, godly counselors, and medication to bring me out of the pit of depression. He reminded me of the plan He had for me – a plan to walk in victory, not defeat, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Corinthians 15:57; KJV). That was more than five years ago.

Today, I’m aware of how easy it is to find myself right back in ‘prison.’ Maybe not a captive to depression, but to one of any number of other ills: anger, pride, covetousness, envy. And the list goes on. How do I remain free? Jesus himself gives me a clue, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” (John 8:32). I must be intimately acquainted with God’s Word.

Thousands of years ago, two men found themselves in prison. A literal prison. Complete with steel bars, shackles, and guards. The prisoners had been whipped and treated poorly. Their crime? Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Had I been in their place, I can only imagine the pity party that I would have thrown in my honor! But Paul and Silas’ response was much different, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” They may have been deterred from speaking to the townspeople, but they continued witnessing for Christ through their songs to the prison inmates. They refused to focus on themselves. Instead, they worshipped God and sang of Him to a captive audience.

Beautiful mindset. Keeping things in the proper perspective. Loving God first and being concerned about the needs of others. Look at the results, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed,” (Acts 16:26). The prisoners were free to leave, yet Paul and Silas took the opportunity to lead the jailer to Christ!

The Lord wants me to walk in victory, too. In fact, He’s issued a Get Out of Jail Free card exclusively for me. As I read His Word and yield myself to obey His will, I’ll maintain the proper focus and be able to stay out of ‘prison’!

Are you in ‘prison’? What step will you take to get out today?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your truth can make me free. Help me identify any sin that holds me captive. Today I choose to put You first and truly care about others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.