DON’T FIGHT ALONE: How Isolation Keeps Us Stuck in Anxiety and Why Community Helps Us Win Mental BattlesSýnishorn

In order to develop a new mentality, we must constantly be reminded of our new identity. This reminder comes through the community around us.

When Paul writes in Colossians 3:1-2, "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things," he's not writing to an individual. He's writing to an entire church.

In our individualistic culture, we tend to read these verses as if Paul is speaking directly to me as an individual. But the "you" in these verses is plural. If I translated this with an accent that matched my family raised in America's Deep South, it would read: "If y'all have been raised with Christ, seek the things above... Set y'all's minds on things above."

This practice of embracing our new identity and adopting our new mentality is something we do together.

I've learned in life that how we see the world reflects who we're looking at it with. What we focus on is often a reflection of our friendships. How you perceive your circumstances largely depends on the voices you value most - the people you listen to closely, respect, and trust.

If you constantly focus on negative things, fearful scenarios, or hopeless situations, it might be time to evaluate whose voices are shaping your perspective.

Now, if you're thinking, "I don't have many deep relationships where people speak truth into my life," I have good and hard news for you.

The good news: It's possible to build those kinds of friendships.

The hard news: You won't have those relationships fully built by tomorrow or next week.

Friendships don't show up on our doorstep like packages on express delivery. Every valuable relationship is the result of intentional effort over time.

If you want your mental perspective to align with who you are in Christ, you must invest the time and energy to develop relationships where people can remind you of your true identity.

I can't tell you how many times I've found myself beaten down, discouraged, and in places of despair. My mind was set on earthly things rather than things above. But in those moments, someone who knew me well would come alongside and say, "Scott, I know you, and this isn't who you are. This attitude, mindset, perspective, and sense of defeat isn't who you are in Christ."

In those moments, they lifted my gaze from down here to up there. They embodied the Holy Spirit, helping me win the battle in my mind.

We all need people who will remind us of who we are in Christ when we forget, who will speak truth when we believe lies, and who will point us to our new identity when we revert to old patterns of thinking.

Tomorrow, we'll explore the essential battle tactic you won’t be able to execute alone!