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In the last couple of days I’ve been struggling. I know part of it has been that I haven’t been renewing my mind as often as I need to be. Thoughts like this keep coming to my mind:
“Why does this have to be so spiritual?”
“Why do I have to think about this so much some times?”
“Why does this have to be so hard at times?”
“It was easier when _____, so maybe I should just go back to dieting.”
These are LIES! I’ve noticed that as I delve deeper into the Word and closer to the Lord in this journey, and the more I’m open and share the positive, godly message of Thin Within (with friends and on this blog), the more I am attacked. Friends, this is spiritual warfare!
The enemy wants me to quit. He wants me to feel like a failure. He wants me to feel scared of being vulnerable. And that just shows me that the message Thin Within has to share is a POWERFUL one because it is backed up by the Word of God. The enemy wants to put those shackles back on my feet, but I refuse!
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
I REFUSE to go back to slavery! I refuse to go back to focusing on food, to obsessing over food! Are you in this with me? Are you tired of the lies of the enemy like I am?
The Word of God is our weapon! Let’s raise up our banner. Let’s put on the full armor of God so we can withstand the attacks of the enemy! We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus!
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18
I will not give up!
But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:39
Fight the good fight of faith!
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12
I realize that if I’m not spending time reading through my truth cards and renewing my mind, that I become vulnerable to the enemy’s attack. It’s becoming so ever clear to me how important it is to fight this battle with the Word of God. I am defenseless without it!
My battle plan: to be in the Word, to pray, to thank the Lord, to read my truth cards, to renew my mind, to keep pressing on!
How about you? What is your battle plan?
Written by: Christina
I’ve been battling here the last couple of weeks since Thanksgiving. I realized this morning that I HAVE to take the time to renew my mind every morning and through out the day! I just can’t make it without it! Such a timely post, thanks!!
Right on Christina!!! I love this post so much! Spiritual warfare has always been a part of my Thin within journey, but it hasn’t been until now that I’ve chosen to arm myself and fight against it. My Thin within journey is precious, sacred ground and I refuse to let the enemy steal my victory crown and throw me back into bondage! I can’t help but wonder how many other people would find ultimate success in Thin Within if their eyes were opened to the battle raging around them and if they armed themselves to fight. I’m praising God for your post today!!
Becky, your words are powerful also. I sure am glad I’ve signed on to this today. The battle is ON!!!! And me too, praising God for this post and you wonderful ladies!
Thanks, Becky! Praise God! The battle is becoming more obvious to me. Satan wants to steal our joy and he will find every reason to steal it. But Christ has come that we may have joy and life in abundance!
Christina, this is SO powerful!!!!! And just what I needed! Thank you! I’m printing this out and keeping it close to me. I have been hard on myself lately. I’ve had such success with TW. I’ve released over 30 #’s. I still have about 20 to go, and I’ve been struggling for quite awhile. Your words hit home with me. I’ve been leading a support group for over a year. We’re getting ready to start our 5th session in January. We’ve decided to step it up in our outreach, and we’re running an ad in the paper and of course, all in prayer for this to reach a lot of people who wouldn’t normally hear about it. So, no wonder most of us are struggling right now, after having great success. We all needed this. Thank you!! and God Bless.
Dalena, I can totally see how you would all be under attack because of taking a stand for God and inviting others to join a support group. One thing the Lord just showed me is that the whole armor of God is for FACING the battle. There isn’t armor for our backside so we cannot run away from the enemy! God has our back!
Agreed! Agreed! Agreed! Christina!! God’s Word is SO important to daily victory. Barb Raveling has a list of “renewing your mind” scriptures. I have been studying and meditating on one a day for a few days to keep me closely connected to Christ. It has been invaluable to me. Satan is so sly and knows just where to gain a foothold. He can sneak into a very small crack and cause enormous damage in seconds! That’s why it’s important to keep ourselves FULL of God’s Word. We may need to eat 0-5 with food, but with God’s Word, we can “eat” to 10+!! During my morning scripture reading, there was a portion of scripture that fit in so well with your post:
“But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.” Philippians 3:16
It’s very short, but very true. And staying in God’s Word helps us “hold on” and “press on.”
This has been an encouraging post to all of us. We’re ready for this — right, ladies? Game on!!!
Karen, where can I find these renewing of the mind scriptures? I will have to see if I can find them. Thank you for sharing that scripture from Philippians 3:16! I will put that scripture into my notes on my phone.
I was searching for the scriptures Karen talked about (not sure if I found them?), but I did find this link where Barb Raveling talks about spiritual warfare: http://barbraveling.com/2012/04/09/spiritual-warfare-and-your-project/ She has such great resources on her site about renewing the mind!
Yes, Christina, you found the link. lf you click on that web address and then look to the right column, you will find “Top Posts & Pages.” Under that heading you will see “Renewing of the Mind Bible Verses. Click on it and you will be lead to a list of verses to think upon. Hope God blesses you as you think upon them! 🙂
Thank you, Karen!
Thank you for sharing Christina,
Arming our selves with the word of God and prayers is a must. I’ve been battling for three months with asthma. It has been very hard. Keeping my eye’s on the Lord Jesus and not fearing has been a fight. Hard to breath at times and taking steroids has coused my body to be puffy. I keep my mind on Jesus Christ and his truth. Not giving into eating for comfort either. I covet prayers from you all for my healing. I go to doctors this after noon. I pray we get this asthma under control. I just want to breath and feel better.
God bless
Ephesians 6 great chapter to read.
Jamie — I’m so sorry to hear about your struggle with asthma. I must cause a lot of fear at times. I’ll keep you in my prayers and ask God for strength, peace, and healing.
Father — Jamie needs your healing hand. You see her struggle and I know You have compassion on her. Give her rest and peace. Build her faith in You by showing her your power at work. I pray for Jamie to keep her thoughts focused on You. Settle her body — and her thoughts — down. Relax her and give her comfort. I trust You for better days ahead.
Because I know You care, in Jesus’ Name, I pray — Amen
Thank you Karen for praying for me. I agree with you in prayer amen.
After my doctor visit today I’m on another round of prednisone and if this doesn’t work out I will be on an inhaled steroid. I’m praying this will be it. Jesus help my lungs heal and be strong. In Jesus Christ name, Amen
Jamie, I’m so sorry about the asthma. I am agreeing with Karen’s prayer! Amen and Amen! I believe that no matter what we are dealing with in our life (spiritual, mental, physical) that we can overcome and eat 0-5. I am praying!
Amen!
If anyone is interested, here is the link to the renewing of the mind scriptures that Karen mentioned: http://barbraveling.com/2013/01/16/renewing-of-the-mind-bible-verses/
I will check out the web site Christina. Thank you for sharing with us. = )