Breaking free from the chains with a new way of thinking… putting it all in perspective.
As I just finished reading all of Paul’s prison epistles, I have continued to reflect on how, in the face of adversity and persecution, he wrote with such clarity and depth of feeling, using his time to encourage and mentor others in their walk of faith. In many of my last several posts, I have shared how I have felt God working in me through this study of Paul, urging me to trust and step in faith instead of caving to my fear and anxiety. I mean, here I am, allowing the enemy to use my OCD to create things to worry about and clutter my mind. Yet, Paul is sitting in a prison cell, not knowing if he will be condemned to death or set free, and he is writing letters to encourage others. He is not allowing his enemies to stop him. Paul is not letting his circumstances prevent him from doing God’s work. He does not show fear of what those people could or are going to do to him. How does Paul remain so calm and clear-minded? Several times throughout his letters, Paul refers to the mind and how we think. For example, in Colossians 3:2, Paul writes, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth,” and in Romans 12:2, he says, “…but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (KJV). From those verses, it is clear that Paul has learned the power the enemy can have on our thoughts if given the opportunity. But, as can be seen from some verses in his prison epistles, Paul’s focus was not on worldly gain. Paul states with no hesitation in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (KJV), and in 2 Timothy 4:8, he elaborated, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…” (KJV). Paul does not allow the enemy to distract his thinking or allow his enemy to keep him from God’s calling. He presses on with complete trust in God. His faith is in the saving power of Jesus Christ. Whether he continues in his earthly body or enters into the presence of His Savior, he believes God is in control. The enemy might try to rock him with some pretty fierce storms, but nothing can sink his ship with God as his captain.
Many other Biblical examples stand out as well. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego do not allow their situation or their world to cloud their thinking. They do not allow themselves to believe their future is in the hands of the king or those who oppose them. They remain faithful to God and refuse to worship the golden image even if it means an encounter with the fiery furnace. In Daniel 3:17-18, they answer the king by saying, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (KJV). Take note that they know God’s plan may not include rescuing them, but they leave their future to Him.
Daniel does not cower to his opposers. He remains faithful. Knowing the penalty, he goes and prays on his knees… and faces the den of lions, leaving the outcome to God. (See Daniel 6:10 KJV).
Stephen, standing before the court, does not shrink in fear or flinch at their accusations. Instead, Stephen remains steadfast and speaks the TRUTH. He does not focus on the stones… he sets his sights on Jesus. He knows his eternity is not in the hands of his persecutors, and he does not allow the enemy to deceive him into thinking it is. His future is in the hands of God, and whatever outcome God allows, because of the sacrifice of Jesus, he will have eternal life. As these murderous people come upon Stephen, he looks up and sees “…the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56 KJV), and he says, “…Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59 KJV). As we know, Saul of Tarsus is there. I wonder if he hears these words. I wonder if these words are still running through his mind in all that he endures… and even when he writes the words, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 KJV).
Often, I allow myself to be a victim of my fear. The enemy knows just how to play on my OCD. And if I am not careful, I find myself paralyzed by some random worry. But as I look at all these examples from God’s Word… the power of our thoughts and the truth in Paul’s instructions to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 KJV) … by allowing these fears and worries to paralyze me means I am also allowing myself to believe the enemy is controlling the outcome. But Jesus says, “…In the world, ye shall have tribulation: BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD” (John 16:33 KJV).
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV
