Predicaments. My mind would have me be victim to the supposedly random impacts upon my day.  The truth is my mind in this manner is being used against me, to slow me, disengage, paralyze or refocus me toward concentration upon the events not the storyline.  This is a war, which may seem a word containing too much contextual drama that you are likely to turn off the ideas expressed hereafter.  But if you are willing to venture this explanation then read on and my prayers are this segments alleviates some of the gravity holding back from jumping sky high in your rejoicing.

Things. They happen, they come at you, they may even appear to follow a pattern consistent with the narrative played out in my mind’s attempt to become victim.  Since, I am awakened to the battle plans of God’s enemies with regard to each and every soldier for the Lord.  I must then understand and make record of every item, battle implement, strategic manipulation and tactical advantage that may be employed or exploited by a very clever enemy.  Since the enemy knows that I am prone to be disinformed, misled by rumor, heckling or emotive involvement that must be recorded as an avenue form which the enemy may render me less than useful.  This should immediately begin to set off teaching alarm bells  2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Thoughts. Often we may look no further into the power of the words used in the living Word of God’s Direction, but that is leaving useful content on the table when leaving for battle.  So let us remember the potency, the power and the depth of the contracted phrase “strong hold”.  This is often passed over when it need be thoroughly investigated. An enemy stronghold in our own thinking is a frightening concept.  This is a defensible embattlement designed from which to launch campaigns and repel any assaults.  In this case we are admonished to remember that our weaponry is not carnal, therefore it is spiritual and not flesh, like our fists, our feet or our emotions.  Our spiritual weaponry for that matter allows us to repel or disengage enemy embattlements that have set themselves up in our thinking by taking captive the thoughts of our own minds.  So, doesn’t that give you strength to know that you have the power, the authority and the means to defend your mind from these angled assaults against your efficacy?

Now that we have acknowledged several things; that the enemy will attack our thinking in an effort to set up embattlements from which to launch attacks on our attitude and render us less useful to the kingdom and subsequently our family and friends, and praise be to God we have the spiritual weaponry requisite to repelling these assaults dismantling or destroying these strongholds and building our own joyous parapets from which to engage the enemy in spiritual battle ourselves.  So we no longer may fall pray to the victimization ploy engaged by our enemies.  We now have the authority and the power to take our own thoughts captive that they not be hijacked and utilized to weaken us by the very enemies we thought to mount defenses against.  And finally that we may reflect upon all that is good, right, true and uplifting employing our own spiritual weaponry to fill our minds with positive thinking that we might be MORE effective rather than the original intention.  Philippians 4:8 teaches, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

This is the power of predicaments, thoughts and things from which we become mature and effective driven by the mystery of Christ’s love and Holy Spirit indwelling to take the battle to the enemy rather than be side lined.  Rejoice for there is in this knowledge the true reason for that joy.  We have never been losers simply immature, misunderstanding our position of authority over all things, thoughts and enemy strong holds that may have appeared to inject palsy in to our lives.  Be set free from these predicaments and be renewed in the power, peace, love, authority and fellowship of the Love and Unity of God’s Holy Spirit living and empowering us from within.  And Pray, for this is the ultimate power against which nothing may stand, access to the Father through Faith in Christ.  He shall not be moved, but all things must answer to His Word.  In Jesus’ Name.