Pause and ask God to give you deep insight into His Word today. Now read Isaiah 26:3-6 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Note every concept the two passages have in common.
“demolishing strongholds and bringing them to utter destruction.”
Note how the [following] three passages demonstrate that Satan deals directly with the human mind.
Mark 4:15 – “He snatches the gospel message out of people’s minds”
Acts 5:3 – “He can fill a person’s heart with evil desires”
2 Corinthians 11:3 – “He can lead people’s mind away from pure devotion to Christ”
According to Psalm 139:1-2,23, why is God the perfect candidate for watchman over our minds?
“He knows our thoughts already.”
Take a close look at the conditions of the promise offered in Isaiah 26:3. Considering what you know about God and His character, why do you think He has a special commitment to guard, protect, or serve as watchman over a steadfast mind (KJV, “whose mind is stayed on thee”)?
“If we will be faithful to Him, He will be faithful to us.”
Romans 1:28-32 shares a disturbing reality. What can happen to those who have knowledge of God but don’t think it worthwhile to retain it?
“He removes all protection, and Satan can have free rein in their hearts and minds.”
By any chance, are you still waiting to see the first signs of fruit from a previous valley? If so, can you think of ways, God could use the lapse of time to bring forth an even greater harvest?
“No, not really.”
Recall a crisis in your home.
Let’s pretend we’ve already won the battle over our thought lives. How could you frame that particular situation differently?
“All I can think of is the dishwasher incident which, of course, now I frame as an amusing misunderstanding, and a funny anecdote.”
Have you experienced heightened attacks on the mind when all is dark and quiet? Describe what you’ve learned through your own victories or defeats. (Don’t underestimate the teaching power of defeat! Let’s just make sure we’re willing to learn!)
“Not much, but once in a while, I have trouble getting back to sleep after a potty break, because my mind won’t let go of one worry or another. I simply pray instead, and usually I fall back asleep within 5 or 10 minutes.”
Dearest Rachel –
There was a period in our lives where things seemed heartache- and trouble-free to a great extent. Even my issues with Mohinder didn’t truly become an issue until about twelve years ago, when our company merged with our sister company, and he could never let go of the possibility that certain redundancies in our mutual operations would result in a “trimming of the fat,” leading to his paranoid mantra of “where’s your contribution” to the company, implying that if he had to ask, it wasn’t inherently obvious, and thus a clear demonstration of one’s lack of worth.
Based on the copyright date of this book (and certain brief updates added later in early 2014), you may have done this during one of those calmer periods; hence your inability to relate any particular valleys or crises as you worked on answering these questions. I recall certain times where I thought that things were going too well. It seemed like I wasn’t being tested by God – and how, while I really didn’t want to go through such trying times, I wondered if it was an insult on His behalf, wherein He thought I simply couldn’t handle such hard times yet – so I assume you had times like that as well. Sure, you had worries that would occasionally keep you from falling back asleep, but they hadn’t precluded you from falling asleep in the first place. Certainly, this was before you had to bear the weight of losing first one, then the other parent – and, before that, being concerned with both their physical and spiritual well-being.
Those kinds of concerns are among the many ways that Satan can sneak in and take hold of our thoughts, robbing us of the peace and joy that God offers us. While you referenced the parable of the sower here – in that Satan, represented by the birds, simply snatches the Word from people’s hearts as soon as it falls upon them – you and I would often find ourselves dealing more with the weeds; a different cause, perhaps, but the same effect. It’s hard sometimes to keep one’s mind “stayed upon Him” when so much else is demanding our attention. But as He has promised His faithfulness to those who remain faithful to Him, it’s something I still need to try to do.
And with that being said, honey, keep an eye on me, and wish me luck. I’m going to need it.
Letters to Rachel 