Resistance is not Futile

It's not uncommon for our minds to be plagued with thoughts throughout the day and in the quiet darkness of a sleepless night. Intrusive thoughts, repetitive negative thinking, or simply the busy non-stop thought factory of a constantly running mind affects many of us. And while these plaguing thoughts may have a wide range of causes, they can be at times spiritual in nature. Behind the curtain of the natural world we live in is a heavenly realm, the dimension of the spiritual. ² ³

We have a promise from God, a piece of armor to protect us from any battles of the mind originating from our spiritual enemy. And, we also have protective armament given by God for those thoughts that stem from our own anxious hearts. These are not protective guards reserved only for the super spiritual or noteworthy saint, no, these are given to every child of God.

When you face thoughts injected by the enemy, evil stirrings of the soul, you have a right to stand against him,

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁴

From a place of humble reliance on the God of all grace, you can stand firm in your faith against the devil. You are not in this alone. You are not unique in your struggle. ⁵

When you face the pervasive and disturbing stirrings that come from your own anxious thoughts, the Lord offers himself to you. He says, "Come to me and cast your cares on me. I am the God of peace." We have a strong refuge in him,

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁶

Keep asking for he is near to you in the darkness of your thoughts.

The Lord has also provided us with another source of relief from the troubling thoughts we all face: one another - brothers and sisters who will pray for us and stand in the gap when we are overwhelmed and feel overcome. ⁷ In our battle, we can call upon others for prayer - this is not a sign of weakness, it is an open door to the strength God provides through fellow believers. Don't let your pride keep you from this God-appointed provision of strengthening.

Now, to clarify and avoid any hints of naivety, perseverance is often required in the case of our thought battles. But do not be discouraged in this; victory will come! How can I say this? How can I come off so confident in what I'm trying to encourage you with? Certainly not because of my own resolve or strength. Certainly not to any credit of my own. I have seen the God of all grace follow through on his promises; sometimes quickly, sometimes not as quickly as I'd like.

Either way, know this: he is with you in every battle you fight on the field of your mind. Pray this as often as you remember it,

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. ⁸

References

¹ Intrusive thoughts are thought to affect some six million Americans. These unwelcomed thoughts can be embarrassing and shaming. See, Managing intrusive thoughts - Harvard Health

² Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

³ 2 Kings 6:17 - And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

⁴ James 4:7

⁵ 1 Peter 5:9 - Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

⁶ Philippians 4:6-7

⁷ Exodus 17:12 - When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. '

⁸ Psalm 19:14