Set your mind and KEEP it set.

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

-Colossians 3:2 AMP

This verse hit home for me this week. While sitting in Wednesday night worship service this was part of the scripture passage and as I like to do being the scripture nerd that I am, read it in the Amplified version versus the NIV. I particularly like the Amplified because it says to "set your mind and keep them set". I have been guilty of not keeping my mind set lately and have faced the consequences. Now, the holiday season is a bit difficult for me, but I have been feeling this underlying heaviness mixed with restlessness. While sitting during Wednesday service I was worshipping yet at the end I began to feel this restlessness within me yet experienced God's presence all at the same time. It was a strange feeling. This previous Sunday I even made myself be obedient through worship. Just because I "wasn't feeling it" because of my tired flesh doesn’t mean God shouldn’t get the best of my worship. I've been focusing my mind on schoolwork (which I'm supposed to be doing to serve Jesus), my relationship, and friendship all while not feeding my spirit throughout the week which falls under not keeping my mind set on what is above. I go through this pattern of restfulness and lately a heaviness that seems like a sense of depression wants to overcome me.

Now, with that being said I was reminded that every day is a battle. So after Wednesday evening I had messaged my boyfriend about what I was feeling. I was explaining to him this restlessness I was feeling all while I was also experiencing God's presence. I was able to finally let out this sigh of relief at the beginning of the service while also feeling a restlessness during a particular song and His presence on a certain phrase. My boyfriend then told me that I'm in a spiritual war, but Jesus is saying "Not today, Satan". I replied… and I should know better that the war is never over though it is already won by the blood of Jesus, I replied: "I just won a spiritual war last year!" His response: "It’s a war everyday sweetheart". And you know… it really is. I haven't been equipping myself as I should be. I'm equipped enough to know not to slip into a mood like I've done in the past. This heaviness, this restlessness is a weapon trying to be formed against me.

Isaiah 54:17 states: "But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgement you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord."

I have triumph over this opposition that wants to overcome me through my Savior; it's my inheritance. A depression and anxiety can try to overcome me, but I have the victory. You and I have the victory in Jesus no matter how the enemy is trying to make you "feel".

Because there is a war every day it is important to note that our enemy is Satan and his forces. Our weapon is scripture.

1 Peter 5:8 - "Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger}, seeking someone to seize upon and devour."

Vigilant: alertly watchful especially to avoid danger

Ephesians 6:17 - "And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God."

Wield: to use (a weapon, instrument, etc.) effectively; handle or employ actively.

It is important that we identify our real enemy and know our battle plan, Jesus and scripture. Colossians 3:2 is important because it gives instruction – set your mind and keep it set on what is above which is not fleeting. Our faith is not a passive faith, but it is meant to be proactive. We are meant to be studious in the Word and declare God’s Word and promises over our lives. Scripture is also designed so that we may pray it over our lives. God gave it to us, we return it back to Him in prayer, and God then works in our lives. Joyce Meyer writes in her life point on Colossians 3:2 as follows –

“You must be determined to have victory and refuse to settle for anything less than the best that God has for you. You must be active, not passive. Right action begins with right thinking. Do not be passive in your mind.”

We need to keep our mind on Jesus or else we can easily allow the things of this world to irritate us and steal our joy. I don’t want my joy to be stolen ever again! I have a great appreciation for Jesus being my source of joy despite life’s circumstances and I needed that reminder. I need to set my mind and keep it set on eternity. Oppression has no grip on my life. I have freedom and I need to start living like it. I hope you claim your victory with me. Be blessed!

Jesus is your defender and has already won our battles. Rest in this sweet truth.

Allow me to encourage you with a song that has touched me recently by Francesca Battistelli -

FrancescaBattistelli, "Defender," YouTube, October 25, 2018, , accessed November 30, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0asDf6_ttwY.

"Vigilant," Merriam-Webster, , accessed November 30, 2018, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vigilant.

"Wield," Dictionary.com, , accessed November 30, 2018, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/wield.

Joyce Meyer, Everyday Life Bible. (New York: Faithwords, 2014).

#scripture #enduringdaily