Fighting Darkness: A Few Truths
Last week I shared how the Lord helped me take control of my mind (Read the post here). As I prepared to post this, I knew I needed to give some extra encouragement for those who were struggling with darkness of any kind, whether that be consistent sin struggles or negative thought patterns.
First off:
+ You are not defined by this.
Sometimes we deal with things for so long that we just believe that this is how we have to move from now on. A constant buzzing of negative noise in the background. That is and will always be a lie. The enemy will try hard to convince you that it’s just something you have to deal with, that it’s been too long, that you can’t be free. That the Lord does not have the power to help you, or that He does but you can’t access it because you’re not good enough. That is a lie. Remember God promises abundant life and freedom from death.
Romans 6:8-9 (NIV) “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.”
Christ chose to die for us so that we would have the power to overcome darkness. We are alive in Christ—which means we have access to everything Jesus has promised us—a life full of everlasting love and redemption.
John 10:10 says, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
He came to give life and life abundantly so if you are being oppressed by the enemy in your mind—know that that is not his will for you.
+ Jesús wants you to be free.
I use to feel so guilty when I was overwhelmed because it felt like this was the umpteenth time I had been dealing with this today, or this month. Jesus is not mad or irritated at your process. He is not angry or upset when you have been overwhelmed by darkness. I had to remember that shame comes from the enemy—God is never exasperated even when we are. That shame is meant to isolate you from Jesus—I’m not even going to ask because I “know” what He’s going to say. God does not condemn. He does beat you up and berate you. Those feelings of shame, hopelessness, and defeat ARE NOT OF GOD. God empowers, encourages, and strengthens. He is not going to kick you while you’re down. His main focus is to save you. You don’t have to be afraid of God.
—Oh he doesn’t want to help me. He’s already told me what to do so I just gotta figure it out He iHe is the light that shines a light in the darkness. I think many times I felt defeated because I was fighting and falling and falling and struggling and crying out to Jesus then falling again.
Jesus comes to eradicate darkness. He is your hiding place, your refuge, and ever present help in times of trouble. He comes fiercely on your behalf to save his child, his friend. his brother/sister. When I tell you God is for us. He saves us (Psalm 91) and shields us and keeps us.
John 1:5 says, The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
The defeat felt final because I knew in my head what power God has given us but struggled to believe it. I felt like He was tired of me. LIE. He is not ashamed of you—ask him to identify the lies that make you feel like you won’t actually see change.
For me it was that first point—I had to grab on to my authority to overcome the dysfunction. I could know that He has given me all the power to overcome and He has called me more than a conqueror in my head but I had to step out and ACTUALLY believe it.
Once you know this and start working towards freedom, let me also remind you of something you need to believe to KEEP your freedom.
+ You have full authority through Christ.
This is something I have struggled to BELIEVE. I highlight believe because I know what God says in his word but I struggle to actually believe it. These are some verses that encouraged me as I picked them apart and discovered what they really meant.
Romans 6:14 (NIV) “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
When Jesus died and rose from the dead—He chose death knowing that this was the only way to overcome sin. When He rose—He defeated sin so the first verse is reminding us that as He died, defeated sin/death, and was resurrected—so were we. As we die (surrender to Christ) we are raised with him in life that we may ALSO have that same power and authority over sin. We no longer have to obey its will because Christ defeated it—it has no power over us in Christ.
Ephesians 1:22 (ESV) “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,”
(Read Ephesians 1:15-32)
The second verse described Jesus’s new place beside the Father after he defeated death and rose. All things were put under his feet when he died and rose again—so now He has dominion over all. We live for him, we are his people, and He is sovereign and has control over all. So darkness, brokenness, suicidal thoughts, hatred, jealousy, depression, anxiety, fear, you name it—it knows this and responds to his name.
He overcame it all.
Recently I found these thoughts acting as distractions, meant to exhaust me and make you feel unworthy. They have me fighting imaginary problems, while God has already called me to a new place full of milk and honey.
Psalm 23:4 says, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
This is an incredible verse because it says, even though I walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death. When it’s dark we get so afraid because we can’t see but this showed me that there isn’t really anything to be afraid of—it’s a shadow. That’s why I don’t have to be afraid because the light is with me, Jesus. Jesus shines in the darkness and extinguished every shadow. His rod protects me, and his staff which is a symbol for guidance, comforts me. If God is for me, of whom shall I be afraid? (Romans 8:31)
Remember this whenever you’re feeling bombarded with dark thoughts—Jesus shines in the darkness and they are just trying to scare you. Darkness has no power. There isn’t actually anything to be afraid of. Jesus has already defeated death; The enemy just wants to play games because He is scared of US! He knows the power we carry!! Remember this and tell whatever to leave in Jesus name!!
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Knowing our Savior, the truth of His word, changes everything. Commit yourself to truth so that you may know how to fight!
I hope this encouraged you to fight differently this week! Reach out if you need prayer or further encouragement from your LOG fam
