is NOT...
the answer!
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
STOP! Those negative voices in your head are NOT from God! They are not the words of Jesus! They most certainly DO NOT communicate instructions from the Holy Spirit! And... those nagging oppressive voices are not even thoughts of your own!
The DEVIL is the one who comes to STEAL, KILL, AND DESTROY (John 10:10). His tactics are to first get you offended. Then, he wants you to harbor unforgiveness, vengeance, or even severe depression. Finally, he sends hordes of demons to squat on your shoulders and chant your demise. And those nights of no sleep? Well, that's all part of his evil ploy; using solitude for the purpose of replaying your injury(s) over and over and over again. His imaginative movies in your mind always invent "what ifs" that far exceed the original crime against you. The devil will stop at nothing. In fact, he finds it quite amusing when you accept these haunting, hellish words of discouragement as if they were your own - and even worse, he would love to make you think these perverted suggestions are coming from God.
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Focus on the second part of the scripture above which says it is Jesus who comes to give you life... AND GIVE YOU LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY! This promise is not only for the life to come (heaven), but also pertains to the life you currently live in this world (Mark 10:30 & Luke 18:30). God promises you that He is for you and not against you (Romans 8:31). Your Heavenly Father loves you and wants to turn things around for your good. He wants to work a miracle in your life. It grieves Him to be rendered unable to help you - because of your unforgiveness, doubt and unbelief. You see, fear and faith cannot co-exist. You must decide NOW to hold onto faith in God's Word while diligently seeking to drive away all fear and doubt. This may be a tough battle, but not one that is too hard for God.
Let's look at scripture to see what Jesus did with demons. Did He offer them a sedative? Did He counsel them? Did He ignore them? NO! He cast them out!!!
"When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:"
Friend, a medicated demon is still a demon. You can't get rid of those voices with drugs, alcohol, sex, shopping, gambling, pornography, or any other vice. These voices must be driven out - even cast out. (I fear that Americans are quickly becoming pharmaceutical junkies; always looking for a medicine to mask the pain, but not necessarily seeking the cure... Jesus the healer. Has anyone besides me noticed that many of the people who commit suicide are actually taking medications? Or, does anyone besides me ever hear the potential side effects from advertised drugs?) God wants to get to the "root" of your problem. He does not put bandaids on people - he heals them!
Scripture says we are to take "thoughts" captive. This means we should "catch" every negative thought and toss it out. Then, we are to replace that thought with a promise from God's Word that is the exact opposite of the thought that was sent to destroy you.
I know, for some of you these bad thoughts are coming at you faster than the speed of light. You are exhausted and you feel as though you don't have the ability to take these pounding messages captive. I've been there and I know - first hand - how you feel. But friend, you CAN conquer this hellish onslaught in your head!
First, however, you must make up your mind that you are "more than a conqueror" through the power of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37). You must accept the fact that God loves you and has good plans for you... ON EARTH. You must FORGIVE all of those who have offended you - perhaps even God! (Remember, forgiving requires forgetting. If you reserve the right to relive your anger, you have not forgiven.) Above all, you need to be a born-again child of God who craves His every Word.
Forgiveness is a process. It may take months or even years to drive the bitterness out of your heart and mind, but as you lean upon every Word of the Lord, you will prevail. I believe sometimes we need to cry out loud (really loud) in prayer; speaking God's Word as we purge the poisonous venom of unforgiveness. This may need to be done daily or perhaps many times a day - until you are completely healed. My friend, once you are clean from your mental anguish, it will be as if your were never hurt. God has a way of making tomorrow a new day - a new beginning!
Lamentations 3:22-23
"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
During these tough economical times, many of you are suffering financially. These troubles can also affect your marriage. Then, a marriage on the rocks affects the children. The next thing you know, everything is upside down.
Or perhaps, you have had a horrible childhood. Perhaps you were abused.
Some of you have been assaulted by strangers. Out of nowhere, your life was invaded by a horrendous event or series of events that have left you feeling despondent about any sort of future joy.
"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm..."
DON'T LET THE DEVIL WIN! God wants to restore what the canker worm and the locust have eaten! He can restore your finances - even in the midst of a troubled economy. He can put your marriage back together - even if it appears it is over. He can give you back your joy. And He can calm your children. If He doesn't do any of this in your timing or in your way, I can guarantee you that He will do EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL YOU COULD ASK OR THINK (Ephesians 3:20)! He is a good God and He gives good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11 & Luke 11:13)! Your job... trust Him; for He is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19 & 1 Samuel 15:29).
So friend, don't play God. Don't accept any thoughts that encourage you to take your life into your own hands. God has put you here - on this earth - for such a time as this (Esther4:14). Who knows what your future holds? You could wind up being the most influential person (besides Jesus) to ever walk this dusty earth. God can take your testimony of overcoming life's trials to encourage millions. You might be broke today, and be a millionaire tomorrow. You might be miserably single this year and happily married next year. That heart of despair can instantly change into a heart of joy.
Trials don't last forever. There "is" a light at the end of your tunnel - and it is NOT a train! It's the light of Jesus! He is standing with open arms, radiating God's glory as he says, "Well done thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21 & 23)."
Think of it this way: a month, a year, or even many years of suffering is but a "small" fragment of your life - compared to a seventy, eighty or even hundred year life span. Also consider how that space of earthly suffering will seem so insignificant, compared to the eternal rewards of knowing you "passed the test" of earthly hardships for the glory of God:
YOU OVERCAME!
YOU SURVIVED!
YOU CAME OUT!
YOU LIVED, LAUGHED, AND LOVED!
(Revelation 12:11)
Now, find yourself a Holy Ghost filled church that speaks LIFE, surround yourself with honest friends who know Jesus intimately, and pull down those strongholds in your mind that are contrary to that of a Christian.
Jesus loves you... and so do I!
PS - Don't stop taking your medication unless the Lord tells you to. He is the one who knows what is best for you! Seek Him and Him alone; but don't assume that His only way of healing you is through medications. His Word is powerful!
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
"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; ..."
Yours In Christ,
Deborah Ross
Deborah Ross Ministrieshttp://www.deborahrossministries.org/
2 comments:
I've known 3 young, Christians, all whose families were close friends from NJ, who have committed suicide. It's a heartbreaking thing to go through, and the families feel guilt, pain, grief and had no answers to the "why". You find out later, that they may be struggling with finances or lost love or any number of things that we all go through...... Read Morebut it seems that even our chosen youth are vulnerable to Satan's lies & find that permanent solution to a temporary problem. Thank you for your blog...this hits home, unfortunately. And reminds me to keep praying for them.
Angela Derby - Facebook Friend
I have personally struggled with this. However, when I look at my life now and see what I would be missing had I taken my life....what a shame. I had to come to understand that I am not the author of life, to have taken my life would have been like telling God He made a mistake in creating me. God doesn't make mistakes, everyday I learn more and more about my purpose here. If you just listen to Jesus you will find your true identity and happiness, it's made all the difference in my life. Sometimes we have to go through the hard times to reach the good stuff. Just hang in there, it's worth it.
Allison
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