I’ll be honest here. I have put off writing another post. Not because it’s too hard or because I don’t have the time but because it was simply easier to believe the lie that I have nothing to offer. When things are going great and I feel like I’m successful in all the ways the world measures success, I struggle with that lie. But when things are difficult and I feel like I’m failing in all the ways the world measures success, it’s downright easy to partner with it.
While there are a lot of things that feel heavy at the moment, I am also in a season of watching my dogs go through the final stages of life. I have two 14-year-old lab mixes and other than Jesus, they have been the only consistent things in my life. They are my first pets, unless I count the beta fish (Red Dye #40 – yes, that was his name) that sat on a shelf in my bathroom for a couple of years before I pawned it off on a small child). My dogs have been a constant source of joy and as silly as it may sound, my best friends. Watching them struggle with the many challenges that come with age is quite painful .
How does one navigate these things with grace? Is that even possible? As I watch my girl suffer from what is believed to be dementia, I don’t know how to be there for her. She wanders around aimlessly, pacing or turning in circles. At times she stares off into space as if she is lost. She rarely lets me love on her and when I try, she will often choose to go through the effort of moving, rather than stay near me. Gone are the days when she would try to lick my face or arch her back, so I get the right spot. Many times, I have prayed that God in his mercy would just take her home, yet it doesn’t feel right for me to make that decision just because she is struggling mentally.
As I sit here, I am asking the Holy Spirt where we are going with this, for I had no plans to share my mess with you ( you’re supposed to know someone a bit longer before you start vomiting your stuff on them, right?). I am feeling Him say “don’t count her out”. She may be old, slow and a lot to take care of but she still has a lot to offer. She is still a companion to her sister, she’s still the first one out the door when it’s time for a walk, she is still a source of joy and comfort. She may not be able to show affection, but she is a constant reminder of His love and goodness to me. She has truly been one of the best gifts He has given me.
It’s not lost on me that it was easy to not count my dog out yet I have no problem counting myself out and disqualify myself from using the voice He has given me. I know I’m not alone here. Why do we do this? They say this world is a cruel and harsh place to live. But maybe the world is a beautiful place to live and the cruel and harsh place to live is in our own heads. If that is the case, how does one escape? How do we stop disqualifying ourselves? Let’s unpack this a bit and see what the Scriptures have to say. Maybe we’ll both learn something.
When we’re overwhelmed by the “mess” in our minds – shame, fear, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or self-doubt, the Bible doesn’t ignore that struggle. Instead, it invites us to renewal, not through our own strength, but through the transforming power of God’s truth and presence. Let’s look at a few core truths Scripture offers when we feel trapped by our thoughts:
Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
I think it’s safe to say that this struggle is a pattern of this world. Yet, God invites us to transformation not by pretending our struggles aren’t there, but by allowing his truth to renew the way we think. This happens slowly, day by day, through scripture, prayer, and choosing to believe what God says over what our thoughts say.
2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
We are not powerless. The Bible teaches that we have authority, through Christ, to stop thoughts that lie to us – like “you have nothing to offer,” “you’re not enough,” “you’ve messed up too badly,” or “you don’t matter.” Taking them captive means naming them, challenging them with truth, and replacing them with what God says. That might require some work but thankfully, we have our Bibles or if you’re like me, Google.
Romans 8:1 shows us that God does not disqualify us and if The God of The Universe doesn’t disqualify you, who are you to take yourself out of the game? “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” Even if you feel disqualified, God does not agree. Shame and self-condemnation might echo in your noggin, but God says you are forgiven, loved, chosen, and never beyond redemption!
It’s not always easy to be honest with ourselves or God but let’s face it, there’s nothing he doesn’t know. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, God, and know my heart… see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” The Bible never asks us to fake peace. David constantly brought his anxious, overwhelmed thoughts to God and asked for help sorting through them.
Philippians 4:8 says “Whatsoever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, think about these things.” We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us train our minds to look for truth. It is not ignoring pain – but it’s learning to shift our mental focus to what is real and good, especially when negative thoughts feel louder than anything else.
You’re not alone if your mind feels like a battlefield. The bible offers hope, not by saying “just think better,” but by giving us God’s Word as a weapon, His Spirit as a helper, and grace to cover every moment we feel too broken to keep going.
The bible tells us in Romans 10:17 “…Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Faith is a Result of hearing truth! With that being said, let’s start declaring these Biblical truths. Remember to speak them out loud, faith comes by hearing, not reading!
* God is renewing my mind every day. Romans 12:2
*I take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
*I am not condemned. I am in Christ and fully accepted. Romans 8:1
*Even in my weakness, God’s strength is enough for me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
*God is close to me when I am brokenhearted or crushed. Psalm 34:18
*I am fearfully and wonderfully made, even when I feel flawed. Psalm 139:14
*I fix my mind on what is true, noble, right, and pure. Philippians 4:8
*God will finish what He started in me. Philippians 1:6
*The peace of God guards my heart and mind. Philippians 4:7
*God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timoth 1:7
Father,
Thank you for being the steady voice of truth in the middle of my chaos. Thank you for reminding me that I am not disqualified, not forgotten, and not beyond your reach and that you never count me out.
When my mind feels like a battlefield, you are my peace. When I forget who I am, you remind me that I am yours.
Help me to hold on to what you say, even when my thoughts tell a different story. Teach me to recognize the lies quickly and replace them with your promises. Give me the strength to walk in truth-not just once, but again and again, until it becomes a rhythm.
Thank you for your steadfast love and for renewing me, one thought at a time.
In Jesus name.
Amen