Overcoming

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4,5).

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom 12:2).

You don't overcome the father of lies by trying not to believe him. You overcome the lies of this world by choosing the truth, and you keep choosing it until your mind is renewed. (Neil Anderson, "Freedom from Fear").

The battle with anxiety, fear or depression, begins in the mind. How we think, what we think, how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. Daily we are presented with the world's view (other people, television, books, radio, internet, etc), the enemy's lies (satan the father of all lies) and hopefully, God's viewpoint. There is a saying among computer people, "garbage in, garbage out". Taking your thoughts captive, as scripture says is truly a daily battle at times. Especially if the "software" of your mind is filled with viruses (wrong programing/lies). So each day I have to choose to believe and meditate on the word of God to reprogram the software (mind) and remove the viruses. To choose to believe what he says is true about Him, about me and about this life.

What are some of the lies that we/I battle with at times? The thing about deception/lies is that they are not easily recognized, because they have been accepted in our minds for so long as reality and truth. Many of these lies were formed in early childhood and life's experiences. In a world where truth is "relative" we have not a clue there was such a thing as "God's truth". Dr. Edmund J. Bourne describes four subpersonalities that are most vulnerable to serious bouts with anxiety and panic, the "worrier", the "victim", the "critic" and the "perfectionist". Each subpersonality is susceptible and/or are products of different kinds of lies.

The "worrier" creates anxiety by imagining the worst-case scenario. Worriers find it hard to rest in the loving and protective arms of their heavenly Father. Life's problems call for continual vigilance, lest one be caught off-guard. However, Jesus reminds us of the following truth, "Which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?" (Matt. 6:27). The answer is none, but you can seriously reduce the number of hours by worrying.

The "victim" is overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. The "victim" believes that there is something inherently wrong with him or her: they see themselves in some ways as deprived, defective, or unworthy. The "victim" perceives insurmountable obstacles. "Victims" bemoan, complain and regret things as they are at present. They believe that nothing will ever change. I would say this LIE has been one of the most difficult for me to personally overcome. Just the experience of having panic attacks, depression and ongoing anxiety that seemingly hit me out of nowhere years ago, left me feeling that something bad was wrong with me and has not been easily shaken.

The third personality is the "critic". They have an overly sensitive conscience and tend to berate themselves and others. They come under mental attack by an unrelenting barrage of thoughts like: "I can't do anything right." "I am so stupid." "Other people don't struggle with this, but look at me (this one is a biggie for me)." These statements echo the voice of demanding parents, teachers, employers, etc and place negative labels on our souls. Most importantly Faith is drained away, and we feel constantly put down for not being able to overcome our fears and live a normal life.

Last of all is the "Perfectionist" a close cousin of "Critic". Their favorite expression is "I should...", "I have to..." and "I must...". The need to achieve perfection makes them driven, stressed and irritable and candidates for an anxiety disorder.

The thing to remember is that just because we may be Christians, our minds still have the old programming from years of walking in the flesh and this world. Many times those lies (wrong programming) are not easily recognized and we continue to go through cycles of failure and frustration in our walk with God or fall into fear and anxiety. Ask God to "search your heart" and reveal those "wrong paths" (lies) and then ask Him to lead you in "paths of righteousness" through the truth of his word. God's promise to us is that those who are born of God, who put their faith and trust in his son Jesus Christ can overcome this world and the inherent evil of this world (1 John 5:4,5). We do not have to play the "victim" anymore to Satan's lies, we do not have to live in fear and worry. For Jesus has overcome the world.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33.