on going to war (choosing)

Sometimes when God is really trying to get my attention, it seems like I hear the same thing over and over from a dozen different sources.  My most recent example is this statement:

YOU MUST DECLARE WAR ON NEGATIVITY

The idea keeps coming up in almost everything I read, every podcast I listen to, random conversations I overhear...its like a broken record.  Now, God has been dealing with me about being negative for months but lately He's gotten really specific...and very emphatic.  No more "focus on the good" or "practice gratitude" or even "feed the right wolf" - no, playtime is over. 

We're going to war. 

***

I've been working on this post for awhile but I'm still struggling with how to put into words an idea that feels so big and profound and important, especially because God seems to be beating me over the head with it.  It just keeps coming up.

Recently I've been having some really, really, amazingly good days.  I've been full of peace and joy and hope.  It's important to note that NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN MY CIRCUMSTANCES.  The only shift has been my perspective.  Instead of focusing on how sad I am over what was lost, I've been trying to focus on all that the good that God promises to bring out of any situation I surrender to Him.  Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I've been trying to thank God for rescuing me quickly.  Instead of giving in to anger and bitterness, I've truly tried to pray for blessings for those who have hurt me.  Instead of questioning why God allowed this, I've been trusting that He knows best and all His plans are good.  I can't deny the results - I've truly felt like a new person.

But the past couple of days I've been distracted.  I've been wishing for some kind of peace or closure.  I've been wondering how people that I care about are doing but I'm unable to reach out because of everything that's happened.  I've been thinking about how different things were two months ago and trying to predict what will be different two months from now.  Instead of trusting God with the situation I find myself in, I've been wishing somehow the situation could be different.  I've slacked off with my praying and thanking God.  And I can feel the shift in my attitude.

***

Over the last month or so, I've been learning about the atmosphere we create with our thoughts, words and actions.  All day every day we are creating an atmosphere around us and it is either an atmosphere of hope, peace, joy, and trust or one of doubt, fear, worry and negativity.  A positive atmosphere invites the Holy Spirit but a negative atmosphere invites the enemy. 

In addition to the atmosphere we're creating around us, we are also traveling in and out of other atmospheres.  There is an atmosphere where you work, where you go to school, where you live...and each person you interact with brings his or her atmosphere.  [I know it sounds a little kooky but bear with me...]

So, when I dwell on God's goodness and the great things I trust He is working out in my life (even if I don't currently see any changes), I'm creating a hopeful, joyful atmosphere.  That kind of atmosphere welcomes the Holy Spirit to speak more goodness over me, to give me greater vision and revelation for a positive future...it allows me to experience more of God's nature: peace, patience, joy, etc.  But if I drift into wistfulness or discouragement or fear or worry, then I create an atmosphere of negativity that actually attracts affliction from the enemy. 

When I get into negative thoughts, words or actions, I'm basically sending a formal invitation to the one who came to kill, steal and destroy to come hang out and torment me.  It's like painting a giant bullseye on myself for the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Why would I ever do that?

***

I don't know if any of this makes sense but here are a few thoughts God keeps bringing to my mind:

You have to declare war on hopelessness/depression/despair/worry/fear - they are all from the enemy.

Get in agreement with God - He is good, His plans are good, His timing is good.

You don't need to understand why - you just need to trust Him.

Your feelings lie.  Focus on truth.  Stop focusing on your feelings.  Focus on God's nature.

You overcome negativity by rejoicing and being thankful.

It is better to be presumptuous about God's goodness than to hang back in unbelief.

Negative feelings and thoughts make you vulnerable to the enemy.

You get to choose what to think - replace lies with truth.  Always listen to God instead of the enemy.

The enemy hates joy because he knows it is your strength but you can always be joyful because of who God is and how He loves you.

Any circumstance God allows He will use for good.

Joy, peace and rest are always an available option.

Your confession should always be about God's nature instead of your circumstances.

Believe the best in every situation.  Be filled with hope.  Trust God.  Decide in advance that nothing can steal your joy.

***

The thing I'm realizing is that taking my thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) is hard work.  Its constant...continual...and it never stops.  I can't do it once or twice or even for one whole day and then expect my mind to be healed and ready to think only positive thoughts.  I've got an enemy working against me, I live in a broken world and I've developed the habitual mindset I have now over decades.

I am going to have to choose over and over and over and over.

Eventually, it might get easier.  There is plenty of research that focusing on the positive and practicing gratitude and choosing your thoughts actually changes your brain.  But until then, I'm in a battle.  And odds are, even if I experience tremendous growth and change and victory, this battle will come up again in my life.  Likely, I will have to fight for control of my mind and my words and my actions for the rest of my life - certainly in the valleys and we all know the valleys are inevitable.  But I don't have to be caught off guard by the battle...after all, God has already told me: this is war. 

And the good news is that its a war that's already been won.




PS I have a lot of recommendations of good resources if you're interested in learning more about this topic - just message me.