Silence the Enemy
- Lauren Latta
- Mar 9, 2016
- 4 min read
"Come quickly, Lord , and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord ; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. For the glory of your name, O Lord , preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant."
- Psalms 143:7-12.
The weather was beautiful this last Saturday. The sky was a perfect, clear blue. I set off to take a walk along the curving, hilly sidewalks in my neighborhood. I put my wireless head phones in and started my tunes. As I began, the sun warmed my cheeks and arms just enough for me to take note of its presence. The wind decided to lightly breeze and cool me along the way. It truly was a picturesque, incredible walk… until my wireless headphones died. I stopped, dead in my tracks. Frustration soon filled my once cheery disposition. I thought about turning back and going home, but I decided to continue on.
As I took the headphones out of my ears and continued walking, I noticed something. Of course, I had not heard it before. It was a bird singing. First one, then several. I smiled to myself and picked up the pace. A squirrel chattering. A dog barking. A leaf skipping across the road. I could hear things that were actually happening around me that I never would have noticed had I left my headphones in.
I wound with the sidewalk around the neighborhood and reflected on this moment.
This is what it’s like to have anxiety and depression. It’s like walking around a hilly, curvy, winding path with headphones in your ears all the time. You live in the thoughts between your ears. The enemy streams lies and fears in your ears so that it is all you hear. You are confused, trying to find your way, not truly understanding that reality is different than what is happening in your mind.
This is how the enemy confuses us. He drowns out truth with whispers. Whispers of uncertainty. Whispers of insecurity. Whispers of failure. Whispers of downright lies about your identity and God’s ability.
During my painful journey with anxiety and depression, I journaled. (I encourage you to do the same. It’s incredible to look back and see how far God has brought you.) In my journal one day, I bit the bullet and laid out all of my fears, everything the enemy had been telling me for so long. Perhaps he has been whispering them to you too. After all, he’s not creative in the least. Here are a few of them…
No one wants you.
No one loves you. Why would they?
You are a mess.
You are forgotten and overlooked.
No matter what you do, it will never be good enough. No one cares anyway.
You cannot make anyone happy, especially God. He’s disappointed in you.
Do any of those sound familiar? I felt that Satan was attacking my identity. He stole my confidence, he was killing my self-worth, and he was destroying my self-image (John 10:10).
I had no idea who I even was anymore.
Here’s the good news…all of those whispers swirling in between your ears are untrue. All of them. No matter what you have done or thought, if you are God’s child, He is whispering something quite different to you.
Take out your headphones and listen. The birds are singing. The leaves are rustling. And your Father is telling you…
You are loved.
Ephesians 3:19, Romans 5: 8, John 17:23, Colossians 3:12
You are chosen.
Ephesians 1:5, 1 Peter 2: 9-10, John 15:16, Colossians 3:12
You are forgiven.
Romans 8:1, Romans 5: 1, Colossians 1:22
You are not alone.
Hebrews 13:5b
You are mine.
Galatians 4:6, Romans 8:17, John 15:15, John 1:12, 1 John 4:4, Galatians 3:26
Let’s replace the lies with truth.
Lists were a helpful tool in this season of my life. When I would make a list, it would clearly organize my thoughts and put them in their rightful place. Today, I encourage you to make a list of all that your Maker calls you. He made you… doesn’t the creator get to declare what His creation is and how it will be used?
I started the list for you, but there are many other things that can be found in scripture. Always back your list with scripture (that’s how we know it is true) and soak in it. Let it be absorbed into your mind and heart until there is no room for the whispers of the enemy.
In the midst of chaos, you may have to remind yourself of these truths. Hold on to them. Post them where you can see them every day. I had them on post-its on my computer and note cards on my bathroom mirror. Declare them. I would often repeated them over and over and over…even out loud! You aren’t crazy when you do that. You are pleasing God by clinging to His word and claiming it as truth. Hearing yourself say these truths out loud will be reinforcing and empowering.
This is how you will begin to silence your enemy.
"But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation."
– 1 Thessalonians 5:8
Also….Another way to silence the enemy is by surrounding yourself with music that draws your focus to Jesus and not your thoughts. I have added more songs to the “weapons” page that will help you remember who you are in Christ.
And… I highly recommend reading the chapter on “Praying for your Identity” in the book Fervent by Priscilla Shirer.
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