Bitter or Better?

You might not have had a choice in how you got hurt, but you can choose how you heal.

Second Corinthians 10:1-6 reminds us that our fight is a spiritual fight—one that requires us to take every thought captive and to make it obedient to Christ.

In spiritual warfare, a stronghold is what the devil uses to control your thoughts and turn you away from what God says is good. These include fears, past failures, bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, and more. A stronghold is not easily torn down. Thankfully, you can be equipped with spiritual weapons that are “mighty in God” (2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV).

Notice where 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 describes the placement of these spiritual battles: We pull down strongholds. We cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. These strongholds may have raised themselves up to rule over our thinking, but they are not higher than God’s thinking. They cannot stand against His truth. With God, the strongholds can be pulled down, and your thought life can be taken captive so Christ can rule over it.

Compare your thoughts to what God says. The devil may tell you that you will not make it through these trials. Well, what does God say? God says you can do all things through His strength (Philippians 4:13).

Every one of us has pain in our lives, but pain can be productive or destructive. Pain can make us give up, or pain can make us look up to Christ. As you work with God to take control over your thought life when facing trials, you will realize that you can get bitter or you can get better. Which one will you choose?

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Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal your negative strongholds to you. Ask your closest connections (a spouse, a close friend, your pastor, or those in your church small group) what they have seen you struggle with over the years.