The Spiritual Battle

King David was aware of his enemies. He writes:

For I hear the slander of many;

There is terror on every side.

They conspire against me

And plot to take my life.

My enemies are just as real as David’s. They are those powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil that Paul describes in Ephesians. They are called “powers” because they are strong and are to be reckoned with. They conspire against me and want to ruin my life. This is not paranoia; it is just facing the facts.

They infiltrate my mind, causing a kind of spiritual auto-immune disease, so my mind can conjure up every possible reason that my failure will be eventual if not quick.

After facing the hard facts, David has a mind change. He says

“But I trust in you, O Lord;

I say “You are my God, my times are in your hands.”

He turns away from fear of his enemies and declares his faith.

Learning from David, I can hear the slander those evil powers broadcast against me, and turn my mind to God saying “But I trust in you, O Lord, You are my God, my times are in your hands.”

In my book, Mind Change, power thought #25 reads:

Don't resent the spiritual battle. 

Be thankful you have the weapons to fight it.

Be glad you are on the winning side.

A Spiritual Way to Think

When we entered the room where Bill was waiting for us, the first thing I noticed was the broad smile. He can no longer move his limbs except for the lower part of one arm, but with that smile he was giving us a warm hug.

Bill has Lou Gehrig ’s disease. Two years ago he was traveling the country as an active expert in the field of sound. Today he is confined to his high tech wheelchair.

Enjoy the Challenge

In the New Testament the apostle Paul says, “[God] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.”

This is the painful truth: God allows pain. Most of us don’t like it. We profile those who do like it in the abnormal psychology books. But the God who allows pain, for purposes we may not fully understand, also gives comfort. And one of the reasons he gives us comfort is to make us part of what we might call a “comforting chain reaction.”

We are all familiar with a “downward spiral” where one bad experience leads to another one. God wants to create an “upward spiral.” I may get knocked down by something painful. But rather than fall into a downward spiral, I can change my mind, look to God and allow him to give me his comfort and strength…then I can be there for someone else who has taken a tough hit. As I help that person, we are both encouraged, and we are both equipped to encourage someone else.

In my book, Mind Change, Power Thought #20 reads:

Decide to enjoy the challenge.

If it is going to be there, you might as well enjoy it.

God is allowing it for some good purpose.

Like, Jacob, don’t let go of it until it blesses you.

Remember that problems prepare you to give to others.

Accept with Faith

Karen was fifteen when she developed a rare form of muscular dystrophy known as Friedrich’s Ataxia. When she was around thirty she had to use an electric wheelchair that she operated with one hand. She soon required a personal assistant to dress and bathe and prepare food. She met a man named Rich who also used a wheelchair, having been paralyzed from the waist down by polio as a child.

Ten years ago I did their premarital counseling and performed their wedding ceremony. Everyone in the wedding party was seated, including me as the presiding minister because I have MS. The best man was a quadriplegic and, of course, in his wheel chair. I have performed a number of weddings throughout the years but never one more inspiring or more memorable.

Can you imagine the negative thoughts Karen and Rich had to overcome to envision a marriage with their severe disabilities?

But these two special people have learned the power of changing their minds. Karen says, “As my disability has progressed, I am constantly reminded to rethink my attitude, and have a godly focus, realizing that I am given the opportunity to pray much more diligently. I have learned to laugh, instead of getting frustrated.”

In my book, Mind Change, Power Thought # 4 says:

Accept whatever

comes. . .with faith.

Disappointment?  Faith.

Unfairness?  Faith.

Fear?  Faith.

Thank you, Karen and Rich, for showing us faith in difficult circumstances.