There seem to be very few days in life that don’t contain some sort of conflict. Whether you’re running late for work, the dog won’t cooperate or the to-do list is longer than your actual day. There’s always the tension with certain people over issues out of your control and the stress at work is at an all time high. These things are certainly frustrating but for the most part, they’re external. What about the internal? What’s gripping your mind when nobody is around and it’s just you and your thoughts? Where does your mind land in the default mode? This is a battle that needs to be explored and confronted. If this battle was more understood, the everyday mundane issues of life wouldn’t be quite as bad. This one seems to keep you on edge and unable to “deal” with anything else.
The Apostle Paul seemed to get it just right. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me (Romans 7:23 NLT). As long as we’re on this side of Heaven, we’ll never escape sin. Oh yes, Jesus has defeated it for us and took the penalty away if He is our Lord, but it still exists. We’re faced with it every day. Whether someone else’s or our own. It’s our secret dislike for certain people. It’s our jealousy of someone else’s life. The pride that says, “I deserve that, not them.” The constant worrying over everything as if God doesn’t have it under control. We have wrong motives for doing things. We compare our families to others. The list goes on and on. We could never exhaust all of the agony that seems to occupy our minds and then filter into every area of our lives.
What can we do? It’s there. It’s lurking in every quiet moment. So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT). Ok. This is an I’ll do “A” if you do “B” promise from the Lord. He’s basically telling us in this scripture to submit ourselves to Him as the authority figure that has all power to do anything. We acknowledge that we, in and of ourselves, cannot fix whatever it is that’s taken up residence in our minds. We give it to Him and let Him handle it. After all, the scripture says that He cares for us. He wants to do this for you. Then, eventually, He will lift us up above this circumstance in honor. Does this mean it will automatically go away? Not necessarily. But you’ll have a different perspective on whatever it is because you’ve given it to Him and He knows how to get you to the point that it ultimately just doesn’t have the sting it used to. This is good news!
Of course the enemy will be there to whisper lies about how nothing has changed and this is useless. He’s a liar! The Bible says, “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (II Corinthians 2:11 NKJV) That’s right! Don’t be ignorant of his devices. This is what he does. He wants the child of God to believe the counterfeit just like Eve in the garden. Don’t fall for it! Stand strong! God IS greater than him and he’s already defeated anyway.
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us (Romans 8:31, 34 NLT). Jesus is pleading for us! I cannot imagine Jesus ever being denied! If you truly give your situation to Him, it’s in much more capable hands. Or, you can continue to wrestle with it and get absolutely nowhere. The choice is obvious!
Yes – every day we will face situations that grab our attention and can ultimately lead to conflict. But, if you are in Christ, these conflicts do not have the right to rule you. They can only take up as much space as you allow. Don’t allow it! God has given us a formula to follow and He is true to His Word. We can literally walk above our circumstances. If it’s over our heads, it’s always under His feet. This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.” (Isaiah 66:1 NLT) This is the knowledge we can stand on in the battle.
Today’s guest writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.
