Imaginary Monsters

Monster - a threatening force Imaginary - lacking factual reality

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

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"Wow that wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined." The thought washes over me in waves bringing with it, a sense relief that allows me to breathe again. I had spent the last few hours dreading one simple encounter that eventually ended in my favour. My mind had quickly decided that this meeting would have a negative outcome, a horrific one, in fact. I thought about the last time something similar had happened and remembered the pain I had felt and suddenly my brain could no longer handle the possibility of a repeat. I found myself entertaining thoughts that in the moment seemed justifiable but in retrospect, were completely fear-based. After some thought and reflection, I realised that I had an incorrect view of God. He is not a sadist. God gets no pleasure from my pain and He certainly doesn't conspire to hurt me. I had to learn the power of optimism. I had to learn to live out Philippians 4:8. Now, no problem is as big as it seems initially. I live believing the truth that God is Lord over ALL, that He will never leave and that every problem I encounter, He already has a solution to.

I see now that anxiety works to bind the mind of the individual causing them to perpetuate a particular thought pattern. I call it a "default thought path". If you struggle with anxiety then you will know what I'm talking about. If there is any risk or uncertainty in a decision or outcome of a particular situation, your mind will immediately think the worst. Not only that, it will continue to compound your fear with unthinkable scenarios which often never even become reality. Before you know it, you are filled with dread and fear and you're haunted by a feeling that some monster, some disaster is 'just around the corner'. Well, I'm here to let you know that anxiety comes from the devil and he is a liar. The truth is that God tells us to be anxious for nothing! That means giving no place to fear, doubt or neuroticism. Instead, God instructs us to trust Him and to make our requests known to Him. If we do that, we have the assurance that His peace will be present in us and will act as a guard at the door of our minds. Who the Son sets free is free indeed. Live in this truth. I'm not going to lie and say I reached this place overnight. I'm not going to lie and say that I "have arrived". Daily, I wake up and choose to believe the best of every situation no matter how the circumstances may look. Daily, I choose not to let "my mind" dictate my mood. I am in charge of me. I have a will and the ability to make decisions so I seek to honour God with my thoughts. Do I always succeed? No. However, I get right back up and believe the best again. I have learned to take things at face value and you should too. Not everything needs to be dissected and internalised. Look at every problem to see how you can make it better or how it can make you better and always believe that you will see the best possible outcome to every situation. Don't turn molehills into mountains. You can train your mind to think logically about problems that arise. See them through the eyes of faith instead of fear. Keep  hope alive and let God be God. It's not your job to worry about your life (what you will eat, drink or wear). Neither is it for you to beat yourself up over every small blunder you make. Rest knowing that God loves you and cares for you. I don't want to diminish the power of deliverance ministry because that's when I truly saw a change in myself. For years, I was at the mercy of debilitating anxiety, both before coming to Christ and after I was converted. While I knew all of the cliché solutions to anxiety, none of them seemed to help. Anxiety manifested itself in panic, social anxiety and a whole host of other symptoms. In retrospect, I can see that God helped me to renew my mind before I experienced full deliverance so that when I did, I would have the right mindset to maintain it. I know a lot of people are skeptical about deliverance for believers but I only know one thing and that is this: I once was anxious and now I am not. I walked into a church service in much turmoil and torment and left with a peace that has been sustained and I can say confidently that if you struggle with anxiety, God wants to heal and deliver you. Anxiety doesn't have to be a permanent fixture in your life. You CAN walk in freedom. 

A quick Google search will show you that the percentage of the world's population diagnosed with anxiety is alarming to say the least. Sadly, I find that in the process of raising awareness of mental illness, we have somehow (even in the church) normalised it to the point that we see it as something we just have to cope with instead of something that Jesus has given us the power to overcome.

My aim is not to be insensitive to your struggle because I know first hand how impossible it can seem that you could ever be free but I am proof that you CAN walk in freedom. I have consistently seen God work in my life and heal my mind. He wants to do the same for you. Place your hand in His and allow His promises to be your solid foundation in a world that feels like shaky ground.

Prayer: In the name of Jesus, I command every spirit of fear, anxiety and panic to leave your mind, body and soul. I declare that you are whole and healthy. I silence every lying spirit and I declare that you will now walk free from anxiety. I declare that you are unencumbered by fear and free to command your days. I declare that you have the mind of Christ and you free from all mental torment.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8)

P.s. In addition to the word of God, I found the book Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins to be extremely helpful in taking control of my thoughts and making them obey Christ. It's not a "Christian" book but it provides practical tips for maintaining your autonomy.