Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Why does the mind always feel like a battlefield?

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to discover that the huge battle wages in our mind and in our thoughts.

What direction is our mind taking and where are we placing our thoughts?

I have to ask myself this daily.

Joyce Meyer has a book called “Battlefield of the Mind.” And isn’t that exactly what it feels like?

It’s like we’re in a constant battle and have to have our guard ready for when the enemy declares war.

I’ve been in a major struggle for sometime lately and I know a large majority has to do with where my thoughts are placed.

I started school in May 2006.

Here we are in July 2010.

And guess what, I’m still in school.

Has it been easy? No.

Have I always enjoyed the almost hour ride to and from three nights a week? No.

Has my heart always been 100% into it? No.

On the flip side...

Is this where I’m supposed to be? Yes.

Have I met some amazing people and friends along the way? Yes.

Will the sacrifices be worth it? Yes.

Will the tears shed have been worth it (oh, I have cried)? Yes.

And that’s just it, there’s always a positive.

It is so hard to picture life outside of school because I’ve been at it so long. I know in the end no one is going to ask how long it took me to complete it, but just the sheer fact that I completed it will be all I’ll need.

There are still times when I doubt if I can do this. Times where I lose sight of how far God has gotten me in this journey, forgetting how much he has blessed me along the way. His hand has been on this from the very beginning, and his hand is still there.

My motivation has been lacking. Doubt has been creeping in. I’m just tired and worn out and frankly just want school to be over.

But I still have a job to do, and a bright future to look forward to.... and that job is to finish the task that God has put before me. He opened this door for me. A chance to have a career I can be successful at, and now it’s up to me. How badly do I want to get through that door and how hard am I willing to work to make that happen?

The mind, it’s a HUGE open battlefield.

BUT I can and I will do this.

I don’t know if any of ya’ll are like this, but I tend to be afraid of success and I think that’s holding me back. Kind of crazy and it doesn’t make sense, but it’s true.

From hereon out I will no longer surrender to this type of fear! The enemy will no longer have control over my mind and thoughts in this area of my life.

I just needed to write this down for myself today. And hope it encourages someone along the way who battles with the same thing!

And my God will supply all my needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to me in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

10 comments:

Jenny Strickland said...

I love the book battlefield of the mind!

Aishlea said...

Don't give up, girl! I struggled too when I was finishing school- it seemed like such an eternity!! But the end result will make it all worth it!! You can do it!!!!

Spicy Magnolia said...

Hold onto that promise, Lauren. Hold onto it securely! It's a great one!

Lianna Knight said...

Keep it up girl! My dad ALWAYS told me growing up that it is EXTREMELY important to finish college. My dad is very successful, but unfortunately only went to school for two years...and then I came along :) And he never finished. I remember him telling me how frustrating it was when he would train someone and then they soon would be his boss...all because they had a degree and he doesn't it. So I made it my GOAL to finish college...I now have my masters and am SO grateful that I toughed it out and continued to go to school.

You will be SO thankful one day and PROUD of what you've accomplished. So keep it up!!

Jacquie said...

Hang in there, girl! Your hard work will pay off.

Rachel said...

I needed to hear this! Taking my boards tomorrow to get my nursing license...feels like it's taken forever! Thanks for the encouragement. You can do it :)

http://racheldillard.blogspot.com

Christa said...

Hang in there girl! I know exactly what you mean! I graduated high school in 2005 and I'm STILL in school. Thankfully, I graduate from Texas A&M this December!

Katie said...

Love you, sweet friend! Thank you for sharing this. You're on my heart.

Danielle Moss said...

I doubt my move all the time. We are human. We doubt things. But -- look back through your list when you said you KNOW it's worth it. That is what you need to remember! You CAN do this, WILL do this, and WILL finish (and do some amazing things with your life).

This is only the beginning.

Unknown said...

Great post today! I left you an award on my blog. Have a great week!

http://paigefaulkner.blogspot.com/2010/06/and-award-goes-to.html