3) Prayer to release fear
Father, I give my fear to You. I have been crippled and poisoned by fear for too long. I reject it. I release it. I choose faith instead of fear, believing in Your good plans for me. I choose love instead of fear, trusting that Your “perfect love” will cast out all fear (1 John 4:18). I choose Your light and truth instead of fear, accepting Your Word, which says I “need not fear terror that stalks in the night, the arrow that flies in the day, plague that strikes in the darkness, or calamity that destroys at noon,” because you are with me (Psalm 91:5-6, ISV).
4) Prayer to release the illusion of control
Mighty God, for too long I have wanted to be in control, tried to be in control and cherished the illusion that I am in control. I release myself and my illusions into Your hands. By Your grace, I surrender my need to feel in control, and embrace the truth that You are in control and that I can control only my inner life and not my outward circumstances—and certainly not other people. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot control, courage to change the few things I can (my thoughts and actions) and wisdom to know the difference.
5) Prayer to release an attitude of victimhood
Lord, with Your help, I release all the negative thoughts, feelings and impressions that lead to an attitude of victimhood in my life. I turn from it. I refuse to be a victim any longer. I choose to rely and live on the truth of Your Word that says I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37) rather than a victim, through the One who loves me and gave Himself for me. Let me live a victorious life from this moment on instead of entertaining any thoughts of victimhood.
6) Prayer to release dependency
Father, I repent and renounce and release the dependency by which I’ve lived until now. Whatever the roots—self-doubt, self-hatred, self-loathing, etc.—I release the sense that I need anything or anyone but You and Your truth to get me through the day and through this life. Remind me, moment by moment, that my God will meet all my needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
7) Prayer to release shame
God, Your Word says there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set [me] free” (Romans 8:1, NIV). I agree with Your Word and so release all the shame I have felt because of the lies I’ve believed about myself. I choose to believe what You say about me and not what others say—not even what I have said about myself. I accept that I am Your “work of art,” “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) and trust You to help me, moment by moment, to live in that reality.
If it helps, any of these prayers can be written (mentally or physically) on a little paper sailboat that is then released onto the surface of a flowing stream—an exercise that can be repeated as needed, until release becomes reality.
For every sin that exist from which they all stem
- The lust of flesh
- The lust of the eyes
- The pride of life
The negativity in your life may stem from a desire that is unmet in your life or an area of bitterness left unchecked. Whatever it is, you need to follow it down to the root.
Then it’s time to repent and root it out.
every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5
The goal isn’t just to overcome negative thinking.
If this was the goal, then all of those positive affirmations and self-care routines would actually work. But for the Christian, there is a greater goal!
The greater goal is transform our thinking so that our thoughts are expressed through the truth of Scripture.
God wants our thinking to agree with His thinking!
The Greek word captivity in 2 Corinthians 10:5 literally means to imprison and bring into submission so that our thoughts are brought into obedience to Jesus Christ.
The Bible tells us that we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and also shows us that God has emotions. We have emotions because God does!
When we have emotions, it is because we are designed that way. Emotions in and of themselves are a good and useful thing. However, there are godly ways and ungodly ways to manage our emotions.
Take the emotion of anger, for example. We are shown that God has anger (Psalm 7:11; 1 Kings 11:9–10). We are shown that Jesus got angry (John 2:13–16; Mark 3:4–5). Anger is not wrong. But many times our anger results from selfishness, which is wrong. Other times, we mis-handle our anger. Rather than using our anger to alert us to a negative situation and then seek God's wisdom in how to respond, we too often lash out in anger without thought. We let our anger control us, rather than managing our anger. James 1:20says, "The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." Ephesians 4:26 encourages, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." We need to learn to manage emotions such as anger.
Sometimes our emotions are "false" in that they are the result of us believing something false. For example, we might be feeling despair because we fear we have failed God, forgetting that God is merciful and willing to forgive us all our sin if we will go to Him (1 John 1:8–9). Or perhaps we feel sad because we perceive we've been rejected by a friend, when in reality the friend truly had a previous obligation. Such emotions are natural, but they should not control us. Often it is wise to verify that particularly strong emotions are based on something that is true.
As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us and instruct us and remind us and help us become more like Christ (Romans 6; Ephesians 5:15–18). When we are aware of our emotions and aware of God's work in our lives, we change and God is glorified. Rather than let our emotions guide our perception of truth, we let God transform our minds (Romans 12:2). We submit our emotions to Him, asking Him to help us learn what we should from them and appropriately manage them. We also stay grounded in God's Word so that we know truth and can more easily recognize deceptions.
First Peter 5:6–10 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
This passage gives us many strategies for managing emotions: submit to God, express your concerns to God (Philippians 4:6–7), be sober-minded (Philippians 4:5; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 12:3), be alert regarding spiritual attack (Ephesians 6:10–18), recognize that you aren't alone, understand God's eternal plan and trust that He will work it all together for good in the end (Romans 5:1–5; 8:28; James 1:2–4).
A good resource for seeing God at work in people can be found in Psalms. Nearly every human emotion (positive and negative) can be found in Psalms. Yet, throughout the book, God is glorified. You can use the Psalms as a pattern for expressing your emotions to God and gaining His perspective.
Another gift God has presented us for our help and edification, even with our emotions, is one another. Jesus' prayer for His followers is filled with His desire for Christians to love one another (John 17). We are also instructed to share our burdens, including our emotions, with one another (Romans 12; Galatians 6:1–10; 2 Corinthians 1:3–5; Hebrews 3:13) and be reminded of God's goodness, long-suffering, and loving care for us.
Remember, our emotions do not define us, nor should they control us. Our value and worth is in God alone. God equips us to manage our emotions instead of being controlled by them. We need not fear emotion nor should we try to be emotionless, but we also shouldn't be ruled by emotion. Instead, we are to be ruled by God. Enjoy emotion as part of His design of you, bring your emotions to Him, and trust Him to guide you (James 1:5; Proverbs 3:5–8).
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).
trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. – Psalm 25:2, NIV
Your roots of toxic shame may be linked to untruthful, unfair, or unkind things people have said about you or done against you. Their voices may replay in your head, tempting you to believe that you’re not good enough. But when you trust in God for your identity instead of in what your enemies said and did against you, God will silence those past voices and help you triumph through his power.
No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. – Psalm 25:3, NIV
God will begin to erase your shame one day at a time when you decide to put your hope in him and trust him for your future. Hope kills shame because it enables you to believe that your past no longer defines you. The hope of newness of life in Christ can help you overcome toxic shame.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. – Psalm 34:5, NIV
Joy is another powerful virtue you can use to overcome shame. No matter our circumstances, we can have joy in the Lord because he is always good. Focus your thoughts on the joy you can find in the Lord every day to recover from your past. He will help you be radiant with joy instead of being weighed down by shame.
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. – Psalm 71:1
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1).
When first reading this passage, one might find the wording a bit confusing: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free…” Put simply, believers are set free to be free, unchained, and unburdened by the “yoke of slavery.” We were not set free to remain constrained. Yet this release is often undermined by the very prisoner who has been discharged from his/her cell of incarceration. In fact, we become our own jailers.
It is reminiscent of a prisoner released from prison after 10, 15, or 30 years. The door is open, yet he/she is afraid to exit. Often released prisoners quickly commit new crimes only to return to the cage from which release was granted. Frequently we hear of the fear their freedom provoked and the urgency felt to return to the familiar, restricted life, rather than proceed to the next phase.
Certainly Christians are emotional creatures; it is part of God’s human design. And clearly life events and external circumstances have impact and affect our feelings. But there is a great difference between being affected and becoming entangled.
Emotion is a critical function alerting us to danger and threat. Like an alarm system, emotions can stimulate discernment and response to a person or situation. Emotions also provide an element of our joy and contentment in life affirming the pleasures and gifts so abundantly provided by our Lord.
But the Christian life experience should be one of stability and consistency. There is tremendous danger in riding the waves of ever-changing experience. As our relationships and circumstances rise and fall, there is a truth and Presence that is stable, solid, and constant. Christians must guard themselves to the distractions and disruptions of life by looking repeatedly to Christ and finding order and structure in His Word.
Continuing in Galatians 5, Paul wrote:
“You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough” (Gal 5:7-9).
The gate was opened, your were advancing in your freedom, “…whohindered you from obeying the truth?” The apostle’s question was directed at false teachers who sought to undermine the freedom of grace with the bondage of law and ritual. He was encouraging Christians to avoid such influence and hold to the truth of the Savior’s provision with confidence and assurance.
But this question is far reaching. There are many versions of theology masked under the banners of philosophy, humanism, post-modernism, and even rationalism and intellectualism. The Christian today is inundated with false teachings coming through various sources that slowly dilute one’s devotion to the steadfast truth of the Gospel.
So what has persuaded (influenced) us toward the adoption of a secular world-view that forsakes the foundational truth and stability of our salvation? Paul assures the reader, this persuasion “…did not come from Him who calls you.” It is a notion contradictory to His very nature. And once consumed, even in a small quantity, can spread throughout a system. The “whole lump” that is leavened may be your mind, heart, and body. I might be your marriage or your entire family. And as we have seen through cultural influence, it can even advance a universal defilement believed and accepted by scores of people.
The world describes human experience as reactive. Our responses (emotional and behavioral) are subject to the external influences of life (people, finances, work, environment, etc.). But Scripture speaks to the unstable and unpredictable elements of a fallen world, and clearly warns the Christian that challenge and struggle will come while offering the sustaining and sufficient remedy that redefines our experience. Jesus said:
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).
Our Lord is clear…the world is not about to change until He returns. Humans will sin and evil will advance (2 Tim 3:13). Circumstances will be hard (Phil 1:23). Yet the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) is not dependent on people or circumstances. It is dependent only upon one’s abiding relationship with Christ (Jn 15:5). When we allow ourselves to respond to the unchanging disappointments of the world, without finding modification through His divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), we bring validation to the secular worldview that leads the unbeliever astray and promotes the crippled walk of a suffering Saint.
The world is itself a fixed reality, set in motion with the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. But we rest in the confident truth that Christ has “overcome the world.” The world and its components have no true power, no authority, and no hope, except for the enduring call of the cross and the sacrificial love of the Messiah. If sin is the problem (anger, fear, anxiety, and their resulting conduct), there is no human or worldly remedy. The only remedy for sin is Christ.
When speaking of His impending death, Jesus offered the promise of His Spirit and the assurance that believers have something unknown and unavailable to the world at large. He said:
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (Jn 14:27).
Here Jesus acknowledges the world has a version of peace. But, He says, it is different, inferior to “His peace” which is given to every follower of the Savior. The world’s peace is temporal at best. It does not fill, complete, or change anything or anyone. The peace of Christ is transformational. It is not simply a provision in a time of stress or difficulty; it is life-altering, heart-changing, character-forged, and constant in its supply.
In Christ, there is no panicked response or surrender to the world’s false frame of reference and misguided solutions. In Christ there is the enduring immovable, imperishable truth that sustains and advances one through the midst of sorrow, injury, stress, and grief. Without Him, we are all in bondage to the momentary relief; the newest approach, the latest fad, the current opinion, and the transitory reasoning of a debased human mind.
The Christian must remember that as followers of Jesus, we are no longer flesh alone. We are flesh and Spirit, and our potential and our capacity is forever changed. Too often we believers revert or our fleshly state and fail to invoke the power of Christ and His resurrection.
We are encouraged to have the mind or attitude of Christ (Phil 2:5) rather than the position and impulse of the world. Our attention must be heavenly, not earthly. Our meditations are to be pure and selfless instead of lustful and self-serving. Our heart defines our character and our character promotes our manner of life. Proverbs records this truth:
“For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Prov 23:7).
Therefore, the Christian must constantly attend to the focus, devotion, and meditations of the heart, knowing that the source of our investment will produce either a fruitful or barren yield. Scripture is clear regarding the rules of crop production:
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal 6:7).
If we sow into the world’s growing field, we will reap a secular crop. But if we invest and plant ourselves in the pure soil of Christ, our production is pure, godly, and abundant. The fruit that is spiritual abounds. Paul continues his assertion of this point in the following way:
“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal 6:8-9).
Sowing to the flesh is in fact service of the flesh. It is the taking of temporal relief and the answering of desire, over the transformational gift of Christ. It is a devotion to self which is never satisfied and will soon burn again with the urgent plea for relief. Devotion to Christ builds a sustaining, substantial quality within the believer that remains steadfast, perseverant, and empowered to complete what is a human impossibility.
Regrettably we “grow weary” and we do “lose heart.” But this is not because His capacity is lacking. Rather our fatigue is a product of this alternate persuasiondiscussed earlier. We fall prey and surrender to the destructive teachings of the humanistic world that advance the theories of a victimized life, environmental and biochemical dominance, and human inability to change.
Simple though it may sound, the truth of Jesus’ words is undeniable:
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (6:33).
But what does this really mean? What things will be added to you? Often we fail to read well-known passages in full context. When we do, the meaning is greatly expanded. In fact, this often-memorized verse of Scripture is placed in the center of the Lord’s teaching on the emotions of worry and fear:
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt 6:25-34)
So what is added through our proper pursuit of the Kingdom?
- The provision of God who knows everything we need before we ask.
- The sovereignty of God that foreshadows life and cannot be changed. It is God’s will that controls the universe, not ours. When our gaze is fixed on Him, then we no longer wrestle for dominance of what He has already ordained.
- Peace is promised in our surrender to truth and the faithful reliance upon His hand; acceptance of His design; and surrender to His love that seeks only to answer our true need and secures our eternity.
- We don’t have to know what to do; we need only to follow the One who is the provider of all matters pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).
This passage is not about food and clothing alone. It is a lesson pertaining to all factors of life, relationship, circumstance, and need. Our fretting, toiling, worry, and fear reflect our lack of Kingdom focus. Our anger with matters, not to our liking, is most often based in self-centered desire over Kingdom serving activity. Everything that God ordains is for our good and His glory. Faith is tantamount to trust in His perfect will.
In this passage, Jesus rebukes the worried for their “little faith.” Is it no wonder our destructive emotions and the deleterious effects they render, are grounded in misplaced faith in the world’s solutions. Isn’t it amazing we can trust Christ with our salvation, but we fail to trust Him with our marriages, children, and finances? We surrender our hearts yet insist upon controlling aspects of life only He can influence. When we divide ourselves from His promises and His presence, we are fighting against a wind only the Savior can calm.
Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:36-41).
In the midst of the disciples’ panic, the Lord teaches again that the storm is not the problem. The threat to security is internal, not external. Jesus asks, “Why are you afraid?” In essence: “Did you forget Who you are with? Have you forgotten what you have seen?” Once again He provides the correction we should dread to hear: “Do you still have no faith?”
Life is unsteady at best. It is a roller coaster of experiences with no particular pattern or end. Christ and His Word are imperishable and eternal (1 Pet 1:23-25), empowering (Luke 10:19), sufficient (2 Cor 12:9), life giving (Jn 4:14), and unchanging (Heb 13:8).
The remedy of Christ for toxic emotion is not an exercise, plan, directive, or rule. The remedy of Christ is Himself…His very presence. With Him, the conundrum of this world is negotiated with grace and empowerment that cannot be fully explained, and often is rejected. When we neglect our relationship to the Lord, we become focused on the world and our personal desires. When divided we grow vulnerable to explanations and plans that did not come from Him. Our faith is now misplaced; given to personal ability and worldly philosophy.
Believers know that if God withdrew His hand, the universe would fly into particles, yet we believe He can take His hand from us and we will be just fine!
Challenge yourself today:
Evaluate your faith. [Rom 1:16-17, Rom 5:1-2, Rom 10:17, 1 Cor 2:1-5, 1 Cor 16:13, 2 Cor 13:5, Heb 11:6, and 2 Tim 2:22]
Test the focus of your heart? On what or whom do you meditate and depend? [Mark 12:30-32, John 15:5, Phil 4:809, and Heb 12:1-2]
Examine the source of your emotion. [Ps 37:8, Ps 38:18, Prov 16:32, Mark 7:14-15, 21-23, 1 Tim 1:5, Heb 4:12, and Jas 4:1-3]
Finally, evaluate your position with the Savior. [Is 59:1-2, Matt 4:17, John 15:5, Eph 2:13, Heb 4:16, and Jas 4:8]
As Christians we cannot accept daily sorrow, fear, bitterness, and dread as the normal expressions of life. People and circumstances will fail but we are declared victorious! Not because we are strong, talented, or gifted, but because our Lord and Savior is our all in all. As Paul wrote:
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph 1:18-23).
- Some drunk driver has just killed your son or your spouse
- Someone has just abducted and killed your daughter or son
- Your husband has been physically abusing you for years in your marriage
- Some scam artist has just stolen all of your life’s savings
- You have just found out that your spouse has been cheating on you
All of the above scenarios are torpedo shots that can knock anyone of us straight to the ground.
These negative emotions will steal most, if not all of your joy, love, and peace that you have obtained as a result of your close walk with the Lord.
Some Christians will even lose their faith or their close personal relationship with God as a result of taking this kind of serious hit.They get mad at God. They start questioning God. How could He allow this wrong to occur? Why didn’t He protect them?
When I first made the discovery that the Holy Spirit is alive and well on the inside of each believer and that it was His job to transmit knowledge to us in this life, I started tapping in and asking questions on many different topics and issues.
The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will “teach us all things” and “guide us into all truth.” The Holy Spirit can and will communicate to those who will seek after His knowledge.
I went directly to God the Father on all of the above and asked Him – how can someone possibly get a grip on some of the above scenarios where some of these attacks are so vicious and so evil?
How can you ever forgive someone who has just mugged you or killed a close loved one, much less ever get over the anger, wrath, and bitterness that will settle in on you as a result of this type of extreme trauma?
The Bible tells us that not only is God our Father – but He is also a Judge. And as a Judge, He will be judging every single one of us when we die and cross over – which includes both Christians and nonbelievers.
The LORD will vindicate me.
The LORD God Almighty shall vindicate mine enemies and they that riseth against me.
It was mine own friend that turned his back on me.
If another person has seriously wronged you and they do not get this sin forgiven under the Blood of Jesus before they die and cross over, then they will have to face God’s judgment for the specific wrong they have done to you!
This is why you can let any evil wrong go into the hands of God.
When everything is all finally said and done, God will be the final judge on all matters, and He will be the One to right all of the wrongs that have ever been done to you – whether it be from another Christian or nonbeliever.
The Bible tells us that “Vengeance belongs to the Lord” – not to us!
It is God’s job and responsibility to right all of the wrongs ever done to us in this lifetime – not ours!
God will be getting even for you!
This is why each Christian can truly let any wrongs go into the hands of God the Father.
You have to believe that God will properly handle each of the wrongs that have ever been done against you in this life.
In the case of the nonbeliever, the Bible tells us that all of them will be pulled up out of hell at the end of the 1000 Year Millennium Kingdom to face God for what is called the Great White Throne Judgment.
Believers are waiting the trump call of God- going to the Bema Seat judgment FIRST, THEN marriage supper of the Lamb! Praise Jesus! Have you said yes?!
Sometimes God will right the wrong for you in this lifetime. The person who has wronged you will reap the consequences of his actions, and God will make sure that those consequences hit him full force while he is still living down here on this earth.
Other times, this person will not face the eternal consequences of their actions until after they die and they come before God for their own personal judgment. Some people will literally get away with cold-blooded murder in this life. The police or the criminal justice system will never catch them.
However, even if you have grasped and believed in all of the above, you are still left with one more problem. You now know God will eventually be righting all of the wrongs ever done to you when it is all finally said and done.
However, how do you get rid of the negative feelings that have settled in on you as a result of experiencing some of these vicious wrongs?
You know God does not want you carrying around feelings of hate, anger, wrath, bitterness, and depression.
You keep telling yourself that you are not going to allow these types of feelings and emotions to have any part of you – but no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to get any victory over them.
However, you first have to go direct to God the Father and ask Him to release this kind of deliverance power to you, which He will do through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is our Helper. He is there to help us out on anything that we may need His help on.
And one of the things that He loves to get involved in is the transformation-sanctification process to make you into a better and more holy person – both mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
When you ask God to take these kinds of negative emotions out of you – it can sometimes happen very quickly – possibly within seconds, minutes, days or weeks.
The Holy Spirit can also get at the root of your problems – especially when you get into the emotional realm of your being. He will pull these negative feelings out at the roots so they do not keep coming back on you. Anti-depressants just cover and mask the problem. They never get at the root of the problem.
I can be walking along in the Spirit, reading my Bible, praying and loving the Lord with all my heart. Suddenly, unexpectedly I am overwhelmed with troubled feelings that flood my mind that spirit. I did nothing to deserve these evil messengers of Satan. It seems as though the wicked principalities and powers of hell choose to buffet me with unwanted negative feelings when I least expect them. Often, these mental buffetings come upon me right after some great spiritual victory or revelation.
When the enemy comes in like a flood, trying to drown me in depressing feelings and negative thoughts, I have a tendency to blame myself. I say to my heart, "Why am I cast down, O my soul? Why am I suddenly disquieted in spirit? Shy so restless and irritable - when I don't want to be? What evil thing have I done to deserve these negative, depressing feelings?"
Dear reader - have you never known such a phenomenon in your life, when peace and happiness are suddenly disrupted and you are cast down into the very pit of despair? Have you never prayed - "Oh, God, why am I feeling like I do? Why such a heavy, sad, fearful cloud hanging over me? What's wrong - have I brought it upon myself by something I've done."
I don't care how saintly you are, or how much faith or revelation of truth you may have - there comes to all God's children this humbling experience of falling into a dry, depressing time of confusion. When it hits you, everything seems distorted for a while. An inexplicable irritability is the first sign of this buffeting from Satan. As much as you hate it - you will find yourself short tempered, cutting off your loved ones and those you work with - and perhaps even raising your voice at your husband, wife, or children. You may then feel condemned; you may even feel sinful and immature. You will probably do as I do and end up thinking to yourself - "How could I feel so low, so weak, so immature, so stupid - how did I turn from hot to cold so quickly? What's bothering me? What's making me act so un-Christlike?
If you allow it to happen, feelings have a way of draining your confidence in the Lord, and in yourself. Your feelings, if left unchecked and permitted to run roughshod over your spirit, can drag you down into abject despair and fearfulness. And fear has torment. Your feelings, when in control, will lie to you like the devil himself. They will put on you a fear of cancer, fear of dying, fear of losing a loved one - and a world of other overwhelming fears. They are like dark, broken glasses that distort everything you look at.
Perhaps just yesterday, you had marvelous thoughts of God's power and love. Your faith was alive with hope; you encouraged others; you felt spiritually strong; revelation truth excited your soul! But today, just hours later, the picture has changed. Maybe the cloud was there when you work up. Maybe it crept over you in the middle of the day. Without warning, without any reason you can think of - you are thinking and feeling something entirely different. To be really honest about it, you feel blah! You feel down! You feel strange! You feel confused! You feel helpless! You feel like you haven't learned anything - that you are still a bundle of mistakes! You feel unworthy! You feel like you are wasting time! You feel unloving! You feel dejected! You feel misunderstood, forsaken! You feel angry that you feel so helpless and blue! You feel discouraged because you are still the victim of childish pouting. You thought you had leaned how to handle such crisis in the past, but now you realize there is so much more to learn about yourself.
It's so easy to throw around theology and simple formulas and tell people, "You shouldn't feel like that! Where is your faith? God wants you to live in victory and constant joy! You should not be victimized by feelings of despair or depression." My answer to that is this - there is not a single child of God on this earth who does not, at times, experience a low period of unexplained feelings of emptiness, confusion or fear. And the longer one walks with God, and the deeper one goes in Him - the more one is apt to be buffeted by Satan with such hellish weapons. Do not despair or fret if you are going through such an experience at this present time. God is trying to teach you some powerful lessons about feelings and how to deal with them.
"For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind..." (2 Timothy 1:7).
I can reject every negative feeling because I know none of them is from God. Feelings that make one afraid are not sent from heaven - they are messengers from the pits of hell! They are to be rejected and bound through the power of prayer and faith.
Think of it - God is saying to us - "I didn't give you these feelings of fear and doubt. Instead, I've given you a spirit of love, power, and authority." He calls us to abolish these unwanted thoughts, bringing them into captivity and obedience to Himself.
We dare not allow our feelings to master us. We dare not permit them to linger and grow into roots of bitterness and doubt. We must come against them in the name of Christ the Lord - and cast them down! We are commanded to do so!
"Casting down imaginations, and every proud thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ..." (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Every downcast feeling is the fruit of a satanic seed of mistrust. It is the old serpent at work again, trying to make us question God's faithfulness. It is Satan planting, in our minds, evil thoughts of being abandoned or neglected by God. The devil wants God's children to think of themselves as spiritual orphans, left to their own ways and wit. It is subtle, insidious, and very dangerous - because it is rooted in a lie. The lie is this - God is with you to a point - then you are on your own. He answers some prayers, but not all prayers. He delivers you from some temptations, but not all. He reveals Himself - only to go back into hiding. Lies - all lies, and the very seeds of our negative feelings. No wonder God Color commands us to war against them.
"Man's futile wrath will bring you glory. You will use it as an ornament!" (Psalm 76:10 Living Bible).
Negative feelings turned into praise are an ornament for our Lord and Savior! Yes! God can show us all the sinfulness and evil still lurking in our hearts, by permitting Satan to buffet our minds with these messengers. Certainly, negative thoughts do not originate from God - but they can be permitted by God. Such permission was given in Job's case.
It happened to me recently. It was the second night of my crusade in a southern city. The huge auditorium was nearly three-fourths empty. The meeting was not attracting new people. About 7:30 I peeked at the crowd from behind the curtain - at all those empty seats. and after so many months of crowded auditoriums. Up to that very moment, my spirit was aglow. The message for that evening was burning in my heart. I had prayed diligently for the meeting. But suddenly, my countenance fell - and a flood of negative thoughts cascaded over my spirit. I had thoughts of anger, disappointment, rejection, confusion - thinking that my crusade team had been guilty of poor planning. I thought of the TV evangelist who had drawn such good crowds in the same auditorium just a month before our crusade.
I ran to my bus and fell on my knees, weeping and horrified. I didn't know there was no much spiritual junk left in me. I thought I had gotten the victory over all numbers, crowds, and ambition. But, oh - such terrible feelings I had just experienced. I had even entertained thoughts of shutting the crusade down.
I cried out, "Oh, God - I can't go back into that auditorium - I can't preach - until you deal with me! Cleanse me! I see why you allowed it - you knew this was all still in me! You brought it all out - you dug it up and made me see it!"
God did deliver me. Every negative thought was bound on the authority of Christ's name, and I walked onstage with a glow of peace and victory. God had humbled me by allowing the messengers of Satan to bring out those proud feelings in me - so they could be exposed and cast down. The very thing Satan meant to hurt me, turned into a blessing. Satan's wrath was turned to praise to God. I walked away from that victory, wearing the ornament of meekness and joy. Praise His holy name!
When you sense the enemy of your soul pumping negative feelings into your mind, let it do its work before casting them out. Let those feelings reveal to you how weak you are - how dependent on the grace, love and mercy of the Lord. Let those sad, confusing feelings show you how evil the heart is and how much His strength is needed, every day, every hour. Let it expose in you every remaining shred of pride, self-ego, ambition, secret sin, lust - and bring you so low you will never again boast about how spiritual or mature you are. One blue, depressing day of negative feelings can knock out of any Christian every false notion of self righteousness. God allows disgrace to make a way for His grace.
Confess your failure, then cast down the feelings that revealed it to you, committing all your thoughts to His care.
When your feelings cause you to suffer and grieve, you can be sure the Lord is trying to teach you obedience and complete trust in Himself. I know I have learned to rest in Him alone when swamped by negative unwanted feelings.
"Though he was a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered..." (Hebrews 5:8).
"For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin...Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need..." (Hebrews 4:15,16).
I take great comfort in knowing that my Savior understands my feelings. He relates to all I am experiencing. Every feeling, He truly understands. And He never condemns me for suffering such attacks from the enemy. Instead, He tells me to hold on, and be not afraid. He lets me know He too is familiar with this kind of struggle. Then He offers me a gracious audience at His throne, with a promise of mercy and grace in my hour of need. Whether my negative feelings have been a result of a physical or spiritual battle, our Lord offers comfort and help when most needed.
What does our Lord mean by this? He is encouraging all His dear children to quit fretting when under the influence of negative thoughts. No more accusing yourself of failure and wickedness. Sin can be the cause of despair and fear - but not always. So don't just lie down and take it! Don't go to bed at night until you shut yourself in with Him, approach His throne boldly and claim the mercy and help He has so clearly promised. Claim mercy, forgiveness, and grace to expel all negative feelings. That is Christ's formula, not mine.
Having claimed victory, having used the authority of His name, having come to Him with faith to lay hold of forgiveness and the promises - then ride out your storm in a state of rest! Let God dissipate the negative feelings at His own pace.
"...after he patiently endured, he obtained the promise..."(Hebrews 6:15).
"...weeping endureth for a night, but joy cometh in the morning..." (Psalm 30:5).
You can lie down to sleep with this prayer on your lips: "Oh, Lord - I reject these negative feelings. I disown them. I don't know where they came from or how - but I commit them all to you. Give me a new assurance, take away all fear. Amen!"
"For in that he himself hath suffered being tested, he is able to help them that are tested..." (Hebrews 2:18).
When it appears law and order is collapsing - Christians do not have to run and hide - because our God is closely monitoring every move!
Proof: "How dare you tell me, 'Flee to the mountains for safety,' when I am trusting in the Lord? For the wicked have strung their bows, drawn their arrows tight against the bowstrings, and aimed from ambush at the people of God. 'Law and order have collapsed,' we are told. 'What can the righteous do but flee?' But the Lord is still in His holy temple; he still rules from heaven. He closely watches everything that happens here on earth. He puts the righteous and the wicked to the test; he hates those loving violence. He will rain down fire and brimstone on the wicked and scorch them with his burning wind. For God is good, and he loves goodness; the godly shall see his face"(Psalm 11 1-7, L.B.).
No matter how much violence and crime is on every side - God promised to keep His loved ones from the reach of evil men.
Proof: "O Lord, we know that you will forever preserve your own from the reach of evil men, although they prowl on every side and vileness is praised throughout the land" (Psalm 12:7-8, L.B.).
Even if the whole world around us begins to collapse - any nation or person who really trusts God will still be standing. We are not even to fear earthquakes.
Proof: "Some nations boast of armies and of weaponry, but our boast is in the Lord our God. Those nations will collapse and perish; we will arise to stand firm and sure" (Psalm 20:7-8, L.B.).
The coming recession need not frighten or worry the true believer - because God has promised to take care of him.
Proof: "Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God's constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes. He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten. He shall have influence and honor. Evil-minded men will be infuriated when they see all this; they will gnash their teeth in anger and slink away, their hopes thwarted" (Psalm 112:6-10, L.B.).
The godly person will not escape all suffering - but God has promised to deliver in the end.
Proof: "The good man does not escape all troubles - he has them, too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one. God even protects him from accidents" (Psalm 34:19-20, L.B.).
"Who can stand before an angry God? His fury is like fire; the mountains tumble down before his anger. The Lord is good. When trouble comes, he is the place to go! And he knows everyone who trusts in him! But he sweeps away his enemies with an overwhelming flood; he pursues them all night long" (Nahum 1:6-8, L.B.).
"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand" (Psalm 37:24, K.J.)
God has clearly promised to deliver anyone who trusts Him and who calls upon His name.
Proof: "It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest" (Psalm 127: 2, L.B.).
"I have been young and now I am old. And in all my years I have never seen the Lord forsake a man who loves him; nor have I seen the children of the godly go hungry" (Psalm 37:25, L.B.).
"If you belong to the Lord, reverence him; for everyone who does this has everything he needs. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those of us who reverence the Lord will never lack any good thing" (Psalm 34:9-10, L.B.).
"Day by day the Lord observes the good deeds done by godly men, and gives them eternal rewards. He cares for them when times are hard; even in famine, they will have enough" (Psalm 37:18-19, L.B.).
"Therefore the Lord God says, You shall starve, but my servants shall eat; you shall be thirsty while they drink; you shall be sad and ashamed, but they shall rejoice. You shall cry in sorrow and vexation and despair, while they sing for joy" (Isaiah 65:13-14, L.B.).
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