I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to write about God’s love — what it feels like. How to describe it. How to explain it. I can use all of the cliche words that you hear like peaceful, safe, warm, strengthened, joyed, relieved, set free, etc. Most people walking with Christ will tell you the same thing, and those words are very true. But it is so much more than that, which is the hardest part of explaining because I can’t find the right words — it’s like they don’t exist. But something did dawn on me today while trying to figure this out. So I thought it might be worth a mention, because I’m sure a few people out there may relate to the topic of strongholds. I miraculously no longer have battles in my mind. The One that loves me the most took those away.

A stronghold is an incorrect thinking pattern that has molded itself into one’s way of thinking. Strongholds have the capability to affect our feelings, how we respond to various situations in life, and they play a very large role in our spiritual freedom.

Have you ever found yourself obsessing over a situation that brings you down? Or ever told yourself to quit thinking about something, but you didn’t have the ability to do so? Ever had a thought in your head that blew itself up into a much bigger situation than it really was, but even then it made you that much more miserable because you believed it — when you didn’t even have all the facts to backup what you were obsessing about in the first place? What about torture over the lack of control over situations in which you have no control? Strongholds are built when we accept and receive erroneous thoughts and begin to meditate on them. This could be worry, bitterness, unforgiveness, disappointments, addictions, rejections, depressions, negative self-image, etc. And yes — I have struggled with a few. If you are wondering how or why all of this even gets started, you can put all blame on the evil one, none other than the Great Deceiver. He looks for weaknesses, locates vulnerable areas in your life, then begins shooting his fiery darts with a never-ending supply of ammunition right into your mind.

So, how were mine taken away? First and foremost, Jesus met me exactly where I was at in my thinking and I told him everything and asked forgiveness of my sins. It’s amazing what that will do for you alone. If you’ve got mind battles going on, when you dig deep, you will more than likely find them revolving around areas of sin in your life. It’s very hard to admit that at first, but it’s true; otherwise you probably wouldn’t be having them. Next, I started spending more time in the Word, which transforms your thinking — so much, it’s nothing short of mind-blowing (looking back). And finally, God created us with the ability to ONLY be able to have one thought at a time. I am now able, through choice and little effort (because the Holy Spirit steps in), to not let any wars get started. If something creeps into my head that shouldn’t be there, it makes a pretty quick exit. Victory!

In closing, I never want to give anyone the impression that being a Christian is a walk in the park. It’s actually quite the opposite. It takes obedience and it takes patience and most importantly, it takes the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18) to deal with the spiritual warfare that Christians are frequently up against. Sometimes you wander around in the desert for a while wondering when He will hear you and something will change. But, He always, ALWAYS comes through in His perfect timing. This particular little story of mine is one the best gifts I have ever received. Times will be good and times will be bad and I will deal with those as they come. However, as long as I am equipped with the armor of God, the battles for my mind are behind me. This enables me to truly enjoy the blessings of God’s love — His love, so impossible to really describe.

Holding fast,

Lori

It is true, we live in a body of flesh.  But we do not fight like people of the world. We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

_{Photography by Morgan Sessions}