Hope for the anxious mind

4 min read

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

2 Corinthians 10:5

James has been really stressed lately. He can’t remember when it started or what triggered it, but he’s concerned. He knows it is taking a toll on him. His health, his relationships, and his outlook on life have all suffered as a result of his ongoing internal struggles.

In his search for resources to help, James was reading the Bible and came across a concept that intrigued him. He had heard it before, but lost track of it.

It was the idea that much of the resistance that we face is at the level of our thoughts and ideas. This is where the antagonist strikes first and foremost: in our heads.

Call it psychological warfare, if you will.

Personally, I can relate to James on this point. It seems that the enemy is relentlessly trying to get in my head and sabotage my thoughts.

The problem is, I usually don’t recognize that it’s him. I don’t make the connection between the subversive ideas floating around in my head and their daddy, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). The longer I let it go, the more it snowballs and eventually complicates everything.

This is where the antagonist strikes first and foremost: in our heads.

As for James, well, he appreciated the perceptive heads-up that he got from the Bible in that moment. Knowing that the space between his ears is where the enemy seeks to exploit our weakness the most would help him to be more aware (and responsible) for his thought patterns. With God’s help, he was determined to reign in his thoughts and keep them in check. Like the Apostle Paul says,

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

-Philippians 4:8

It won’t be easy, but James is now better equipped to fight well and take back lost ground. Let’s go, James.

Let’s go, us.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.