The next time you're in a crisis, consider the thoughts that come to your mind. Notice immediately how the enemy rushes in, and tries to fill up your mind with negative suggestions. For example, a husband and wife are having problems, and things are pretty intense. The devil will give you all the reasons you need to separate, or even divorce. He magnifies the other persons faults and flaws, to convince you that the marriage simply isn't going to work. He says, "You need to get out of this now, don't waste anymore years. It's a hopeless, dead case. You're tired of trying and they're not trying at all."

Another example is, you're at work, and the manager announces that the company will be downsizing, and you find out you're one of them. Right away fear, anxiety and sorrow come to accompany the news. Questions arise such as: "God how? Lord why? Jesus what now?" Once again, the enemy tries to bombard your mind, in efforts to take over, and lead you into despair.

Children of the Most High God, this should not be allowed! Recognize this, your mind is a battlefield, and you can win it or lose it right here. The fight is on and you need to make a choice. Will you be the victim, or the victor? The person who chooses to be victorious, must first realize they can't lose with God. They seek solutions from God's Word and apply them.

Here are a few simple, but powerful steps, to conquering any adverse situation. 2 Corinthians 10:3, tells us that even though we are in fleshly bodies, we do not fight with fleshly weapons, so you need to choose the proper weapons. If you get into strife, arguing and blaming, or selfishness, what do you hope to accomplish? These are carnal weapons, and non-effective for victory. However, God has provided us with much equipment, which is always and without failure, effective! His Word, The Holy Spirit, prayer, faith, hope and love. ( Ephesians 6:11 also ). The victor exercises 2 Corinthians 10:4-6. Here we are instructed to cast down invading thoughts from the enemy, and bring them into captivity. Every thought is to come under the obedience of Christ Jesus, before they captivate you. It's going to be you, or the enemy in control, because one has to be bound, while the other is free.

Are you willing to submit yourself, and all that concerns you, unto God and resist the devil? Doing this will cause the devil to flee. (James 4:7) The power comes in the submitting unto God first.

What you focus on is very important, because your motivation to do anything usually comes from what you give most of your attention to. You can choose to focus on Jesus Christ, being the Author and Finisher of your faith, realizing that He's there for all the in between stuff, or you can choose to meditate on the negative, and suffer defeat. (Psalm 46:1, Matt 28:20 )

Concerning your marriage, you can see your time as wasted or invested. And as for that job you no longer have, praise God for the experience and knowledge you gained while there. You Choose!

I know you're probably thinking this is too much surrendering, or that you might appear weak, but that is not true. When you choose God's methods for living, you can experience His grace on a whole different level. (Read 2 Corinthians 12:9 ) Determine to be a Victor, you have everything you need, just use it.

FRESHLY PICKED PETAL: Food for thought

Did you know that sometimes you can choose how long you want to fight? Really! As you apply God's principles in spiritual battle, eventually you learn whose fight it really is, and you'll find yourself submitting unto God a lot sooner. This is where you experience total liberty.

Amy Blount