Thank you, Dictionary.com.
If I could let you hear the voices that visit my mind, this is what you would find. A host of negative vibrations consistently try to pimp me out of my promise. The offense could be legitimate, but my heart will want to forget it. The chorus steps into the sanctuary of my thoughts and proceeds to sing the same song, in the same rhythm, using the same poison. As definition 1d states, intervals are its mode of choice. The chorus is never constant, relying on the fact that I have breaks of solitude in the midst of my busy life. I hold them dearly close and seek to protect them at all costs. Unfortunately, I am not always successful and there I am, battling in the middle of my sanctuary.
I hope this peeling-back of the curtain encourages someone to know that s/he is not alone in the fight within the frame. It’s real, but so is God’s power. This isn’t a cry for attention or pity, but a step forward to reinforce that the weapons we use are not carnal because the enemy we fight is invisible as well. So, here they are, in no particular order of degradation.
*pressing play on the broken record player*
- “They don’t care about you. If they did, they would call. They would act like it.”
- “If you died today, you’d be missed for a moment, but not for a lifetime.”
- “Better watch out for her/him. She always let’s you down. That’s why s/he’s so carefree.”
- “You keep trying and they keep showing you where you fit on their totem pole.”
- “They don’t make time for you now, so why would they make time for your funeral?”
- “Put the phone down. You’re bothering them.”
- “Forever is a long time to wait for their reciprocity.”
- “You’re not good enough. You’ll fail in front of millions.”
- “Why are even trying? You are not equipped.”
- “What you just did was horrible. Everyone is going to remember that.”
- “You’re annoying everyone. It would best if you just went home.”
- “What’s the point? Bad things happen to good people. You’re wasting your time.”
Anyone claiming that suicidal thoughts are for weak has never experienced a “paper cut” of the mind and spirit. That’s all it takes. Sometimes the smallest cracks can cause the most damage. Am I going to kill myself? Emphatically no, but it doesn’t change the fact that demonic influence can override the will to live.
Evil seeds are often planted in the soil of our mind, then our broken insecurity waters the ground and we start sinking in the darkness.
The lifeline? Your mouth. I encourage you to talk. Keep talking until your voice quiets the chorus. Keep speaking up until your shaky words sends shock waves of freedom beneath the battlefield of your mind. Don’t let anything silence your will to dream, hope, and live. You have so much to be awesome for. You were handcrafted by an awesome God. That’s how I know you’re supposed to be here…right now…reading this. Flick the dust off your clothes and wash your soul in His Word and what He says about you.
Below are 15 doses of strong reminders that I use for my battles. The quoted phrases are what I tell myself. Feel free to say them aloud as well.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.
Joshua 1:9 (NASB) – “The Lord is with me wherever I go.”
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NASB) – “I am upheld with His righteous right hand.”
‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Matthew 11:28 (NASB) – “I am tired now. I won’t be tired forever. I have a place to go.”
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Ephesians 6:12 (NASB) – “Focus on the culprit, not the distraction.”
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Psalms 143:10 (NASB) – “You lead me on level ground. I am sure.”
Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalms 1:1-6 (NASB) – “I am planted. I am strong. I am fruitful.”
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
29 He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Proverbs 23:18 (NASB) – “I am sure and I am convinced. I have hope.”
Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off.
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
I hope these encourage you to build up your speech arsenal and fight back. What are some of your biblical bullets to cast down imaginations? What are you favorite verses that you chew on to remove the taste of doubt?
Peace & Thanks for Listening.
Listening at the Speed of Life 