when our minds deceive us

"When it rains, it pours."

Ever heard that expression? Ever felt like that expression describes your life? Sometimes in life, we get hit hard, and then it seems the hits just keep on coming. One thing after another.... after another... after another. Every time you try to "get back up" again, something else hits and keeps you down. It's like the shoe fell, but then more shoes just keep on falling!

As Christians, we know that there will be trials and suffering in this life, but God's word is filled with comfort and promises to give us strength.

Matthew 11:22-30

    Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

 Isaiah 41:10

    Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 Philippians 4:6-7

    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

But what do you do when you have the knowledge of comfort, but just aren't feeling it? When depression hits hard, and you feel like there's no relief in this life? 

Depression is a nasty thing. It digs into your every thought, twisting and warping your view of reality. It covers your eyes with a lens of negativity and whispers nasty things in your mind. At times, it doesn't just whisper, it overwhelms and screams so loud there's no room for anything else. It feels like it becomes part of you, takes over, and is so ingrained in your mind that positive thinking just feels wrong and unbelievable. So how do you trust the promise of comfort when your own mind just won't accept it?

Look at that last verse again, "But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

In EVERYTHING. In our weaknesses, in our doubts, and in our fears, in everything pray with thanksgiving, letting your requests be made known to God. That is the source of peace. God. God is the source of all our strength, our peace, and our rest.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us that our own minds cannot be trusted when it says, 

    Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

We must not lean on our own understanding. Our minds are finite and sinful; we cannot trust them to comprehend the ways of God. But is there any way we can find some understanding? Psalm 111:10 tells us where to find wisdom: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding." We must actively pray and ask God for comfort. There are many times in the Psalms when the author is crying out to God for comfort. They sought their comfort in the one place they knew they could find it. Psalm 119:25 says, "My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!" And then in verse 76, he says, "Let Your steadfast love comfort me according to Your promise to Your servant." 

In this life, we will find ourselves emotionally drained at times; it's normal to feel downcast and sad. Sometimes the scriptures do not bring instant comfort because we must actively use God's Word in faith and application. Our faith must be united with God's Word; when we read the Bible, we must choose to believe that it's true, even when we don't "feel it". Faith will bridge the gap between God's Word and the comfort we can receive from it. In Hebrews 4:2, we read, 

    For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 

And then in verse 7, it reminds us, "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." We must actively seek our comfort, not closing our hearts and minds to the truth of the gospel. The promises of God must be our anchor. 

Comfort doesn't always come with warm, fuzzy feelings. God's Word is not only our comfort, but it is also our shield and shelter. Looking back again at Psalm 119, we read in verse 50, "This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life." And further, in verse 114, we read, "You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word." God's Word is truth and brings eternal life to those who trust in Him; His Word is truth regardless of how we feel right now. Our value, our identity, and comfort are all found in the love of God. 

I find that when I can't find the words to pray, it's best to turn to scripture. Pray using God's Word. Ephesians 3:17-18 says, 

    For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

The Bible tells us the prayers of the apostles and disciples. If they were praying for the Spirit to strengthen them, for Christ to dwell in their hearts, and for understanding of the love and fullness of God, should we not also pray for these things? 

If you continually fill your mind with the Word of God and choose to trust in His Word, then it's easier to fight the anxiety and negative thoughts. We must continually choose to trust God, praying for strength of faith, wisdom, and understanding. God always keeps His promises. Remind yourself that He is unchanging, steadfast, and His plan is ultimately for your good.

When you find yourself struggling to feel the comfort of the knowledge the gospel gives, seek God. Seek His Word and remind yourself of His promises. Remind yourself that the gospel is true whether you're feeling it or not, and ask God to strengthen your faith and open your heart to the comfort of His Word.

    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9