Fear is a Fortified Castle
What are you afraid of?
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Fortunately, until now, I can’t remember living through a large scale pandemic. Since the beginning of 2020, billions of people are living altered lifestyles. No longer working a mundane 9-5 job at a physical address, no longer going to the movie theaters, or eating out with a group of friends–life is not the same. The incessant washing of my hands, religiously donning a facial mask, and practicing social distancing can be overwhelming at times. I am not following through with these precautionary guidelines out of fear, but I simply want to save my life, and the lives of others. However, this altered lifestyle is exposing other fears lurking within some of our minds.
Current circumstances have caused many of us to examine our hearts and minds in ways we never thought possible. Some are forced to live alone in solitude with limited human interaction. Some have turned to addictions and others have succumbed to suicide. It’s easy to ignore introspection during the hustle and bustle of life. Now you are forced to address the man in the mirror, and ask those painstaking questions? Do I love myself? Do I love others? What is controlling my mind? What is controlling my heart? Why do you care? What am I afraid of? What are my fears? Why am I fearful?
During the downtime, I realized I care too much, and I over analyze. I care about people and situations that don’t care about me. If something is controlling your mind and your actions other than God, then you must let it go, and allow God to renew your heart and mind. I hone in on truth and justice and often write about topics most people disregard. It’s easy to get side-tracked and distracted from purpose. The truth of the word delivers and sets free. The weight of justice is just as important on earth as it is in heaven.
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind — Ephesians 4:23
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. — Psalm 51:10
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. — Romans 12:2
The words that standout for me in the Bible verses above are “renew“, “heart“, and “mind“. No one is going to do the work for you. Very few will genuinely pray for you. You must do the work yourself. If you are not careful, the enemy will construct reinforced castles or strongholds in our mind–subtly over time. These strongholds are meant to distract a person from destiny. Just imagine all you could accomplish if you were focused and not distracted. You must put in the work and effort to make your mind physically fit like a body builder in a gym.
Mental work produces strength. The mind will reveal what is going on in your soul. The love of God is the only tool powerful enough to repair the brain. — Apostle Matthew Stevenson
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. — Mark 12:30
Love is the only thing that is powerful enough to dismantle and destroy mental strongholds. Not just any love, but the unconditional love of God–for yourself and everyone else. John the Apostle, told us that “perfect love cast out all fear”. Fear is a stronghold which can zap all the love, peace of mind, supernatural power from a person.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. — 2 Timothy 1:7
Renewing the mind starts with being consistent in quality prayer (quality vs. quantity) and applying the word of God to every situation.
A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). Is it possible to be a Christian and be demonized? Controlled by another entity other than Christ? Absolutely! The presence of God through the Holy Spirit will transform your mind and give you a single whole mind.
David said he cried and the Lord delivered him out of all his fears–all of the strongholds that had obtained residence in his mind were destroyed when David lamented before the Lord for HELP!
I believe the Lord Jesus is nearer than you believe. Some people do not believe in God because they want to see and touch a physical representation of him. How will you know if you never try. Whatever your fears are, I believe the power of God will replace with his love. If you would begin to open your mouth unto the Lord with a sincere heart, then I know God will reveal himself to you.
