Beware of False Symptoms!
In the second blog, we talked about taking control of our destiny by taking control of our thoughts. We do this by choosing what we think, say and act on. Today we’re going to talk about symptoms, and whether or not we should be concerned when we start to feel unwell, or we notice a strange sore on our skin, perhaps pain suddenly attacks that seems to show up out of nowhere.
Here’s the surprising thing — Did you know that sometimes symptoms will show up to make us think that we are ill? They are false symptoms! So, what happens? Everything’s rolling along nicely and you may actually be having a really great day and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, you feel pain. Or maybe you sneeze and start coughing. You wonder if you have a flu, or this the beginning of the COVID virus? Then your thoughts take a dark path, and suddenly you are afraid and wonder if this is the beginning of the end? You find a strange mark on your skin and right away you wonder if it’s the dreaded c-word, cancer? You don’t think you’re a hypochondriac, but so many things seem to be happening to you lately, that its all you can do to get out of bed and bravely start your day!
I’d like to confess that several years ago, this is what seemed to be happening to me. And I had lots of dental issues too. I was obsessed with my health. I’d run to the doctor for every little thing. It was very distracting and there were few problems that I actually had and nothing really to worry about. And it got to the point also, that I had such a strange skin issue on my thumb nails that the doctors and specialists couldn’t helpme anyway. So, I eventually stopped going to see the doctors. Instead, I started praying specifically over my health and each problem that came up. I started asking the Lord about the pain or whatever it was, and should I see a doctor or believe for healing? Well, nine times out of ten, I didn’t need to see a doctor, and I would believe for healing. God was actually working with me to build up my faith in Him and not so much in the medical system as I had always done before. And so, there were countless times I had a physical problem, and I never went to the doctor to see about it.
What I learned through the years, and also with the insight that my husband had, is that many times after you pray for healing, you will start to feel symptoms returning. I came to realize that these are an attack from the evil one sent to get you to focus on the problem rather than on the healing, and the finished work of Jesus on the cross. I’ve heard others say the same thing happen to them. In light of this, after you’ve prayed and believe in your healing, ignore every symptom, even pain associated with the problem, and instead worship and praise God for healing you. I can’t tell you how many times this has happened to me, and the pain and symptoms went away.
Remember your foe is cunning and crafty. He’s a slithering serpent at heart. He will slyly do anything to turn our focus away from the Lord and onto something else, usually negative, worrisome, and even dreadful.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Think about a war - we are in a battle. This is a ploy of Satan to get us down and stay down. God wants us to gird ourselves with the truth. The symptom is a nudge on the brain and the brain sends the signal to a part of the body to alert us that something is wrong — incredible! Without a doubt, it is a battle that starts in the mind! And we are fooled into thinking that it is something to really worry about. Satan has simply introduced the power of suggestion, and if we act on it and dwell on it, the symptom can materialize and become even worse! But if you just ignore it, chances are that it will disappear! Does this sound too good to be true? Well, here is an experiment. When you first feel the symptom, no matter what it is, try rebuking it and refusing to give in to it.
Remember it is a “fight” of faith. Look at what Paul says:
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
The real battle is in the mind. Look at these powerful verses:
2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Notice the phrase, “take every ‘thought’ captive.” Thoughts control our destiny - let’s control them before they control us! Every thought must go through the crucible of truth. Remember in the second blog we read James 3? Here there are verses to help us discern the source of all thoughts — are they uplifting and from God? Or are they subtly negative (or not so subtle), from Satan? If they cause us to dwell on anything other than God, they are more than likely from Satan, especially if they are worrisome thoughts, or thoughts all about self, and how we feel. Trust me, I know. I’ve gotten caught in that trap so many times, I couldn’t begin to count.
Keep in mind that it’s the mind where unbelief begins, and disobedience to God’s Word. Worry is unbelief, and if we continue to worry or stress about something, that becomes unbelief. If unbelief takes hold, it seeps into our hearts. Then we act on our unbelief by continuing to worry. It is a vicious treadmill we can’t escape. We don’t want to make a habit of doing that!
I once read somewhere that we only use 10% of our brains. I wonder if that is true, and if the other 90% is under a demonic veil? I believe we are capable of accomplishing much more than we ever dreamed. But if we cannot get past our unbelief, and we keep having knee jerk reactions and give in to every symptom of pain or sickness, we will fall victim to Satan’s devious plan of diversion: away from the things of God and what is good, each and every time. Let’s live by faith and the powerful Word of God, and remember to confess it often. The Word will bring life to everything we touch.
Let’s be spiritually minded and ignite our magnificent brain with the Spirit of God! I love this verse:
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
And who doesn’t want to experience life and peace these days? And finally, one of the most incredible passages in the whole Bible:
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Stay tuned for the fourth blog in this important series. You won’t want to miss it.
No comments:
Post a Comment