Moles in the Yard

You’ve got to be kidding me! Another one! I thought I’d put an end to those critters. Sound familiar? The moles in the yard reminded me of another familiar but unwanted “pop up.” Should I call it the moles in my mind? Just as moles scrape dirt away from plants’ roots, taking nourishment away from plants which can cause them to die, moles in the mind take our thoughts from the place of life. 

Where do these “moles in the mind” come from? Are all thoughts my own? As a believer, is this only a battle between the Spirit and the flesh? The Apostle Peter had heard enough that day when Jesus foretold his suffering and crucifixion. And he spoke his mind about it, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Jesus knew where that thought was coming from and rebuked Satan as the originator, “Get behind me Satan.”  (Matthew 16:23)

Especially when personal suffering is involved as it was for Peter, we can easily fall prey to “moles in the mind.” And because of the mirror neurons in our brain we do what we have seen. Negative interpretations take us to shame, anxiety, the sad and the mad and away from the nourishing presence of Jesus. That’s where the “if” prayer comes in very handy. Like a tabasco solution in the yard, the moles can go running.

IF these life-sucking thoughts in my mind are coming from deceitful spirits, I tell them aloud to leave my presence in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I confess I’ve been entertaining these thoughts and I renounce (make a clean break) them. It’s helpful here to name what the specific thoughts are. I announce the truth of your Word that ….

As the thoughts I was entertaining were coming from a place of personal suffering, I announced that “I am entrusting my soul to a faithful Creator while doing good.” ( I Peter 4:19)

The thoughts left that day and the next and the next. My mind was quiet and peaceful. Whew!  And when they attempted to pop up again I made my declaration again. I’m actually looking with anticipation of how God might use this fiery trial for good in my life!

Friends in Christ, you can do this. Jesus died and rose again and ascended so you might not only be raised to walk in newness of life, but He has also taken you positionally to the highest place, “raised up with him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2: 6-7). This is the place of authority. (Ephesians 1:21)

Let’s use our spiritual weapons that Christ died to give us. It’s a whole lot better than using baseball bats in the front yard.