UNRAVELED

Have you ever made the mistake of pulling a loose thread – like on the hem of a dress or a thread sticking through a button? You innocently pull, hoping to snap it off, but suddenly the entire hem unravels or the button pops off. You’re left with a raggedy hemline or a gaping hole in your blouse. Tiny threads can create big problems.

I recently “pulled the wrong thread” that began simply enough with a computer problem. Because I’m so technologically challenged, this simple problem resulted in an emotional unraveling.

Frustrated by my limitations, my thoughts quickly sparked spreading negative lies through my brain like wildfire. “I hate technology! Why is this so hard for me to understand! What’s wrong with me!”

My thoughts made the jump to light-speed sending me over the edge of sanity. “It doesn’t matter if I have a working computer or not, I’m a terrible writer! No one ever reads my stuff anyway! I’m wasting my time! I hate my life! I wish I’d never been born! My whole life has been a total waste! I’ll never become the person God created me to be! I’ll NEVER be good enough!”

I wondered at what point I’d abandoned reasonable thinking and segued into a full-blown existential crisis? A reasonable explanation could be I wasn’t just fighting an emotional or technology problem – but rather a spiritual battle. The enemy is good that way. Nobody hates me (or You or any of us) as much as the devil does.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

I know my limitations when it comes to technology. What’s more – the enemy knows my limitations as well. He loves my meltdowns. It’s so much easier for him to push my buttons when my emotions unravel.

The above Scripture points out that we are doing battle against unseen enemies. That means self-deprecating, negative thoughts aren’t from God, so we need to resist those negative thoughts. They are lies from the pit of hell. We need to recognize that life is a constant battle for control of our thought life. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

We prepare for battle by knowing what the Bible says. When you’re going through a trial, you can’t rely on someone else’s knowledge or faith. YOU need to know what the Bible says.

In a crisis, we need to replace negative thoughts as soon as possible. Re-center our thoughts on God and His mercy, not the lies the enemy is feeding you.

Philippians 4: 8 says, Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

There’s a song we sing at church called “No Longer Slaves,” (Lyrics by: Jonathan & Melissa Helser). The opening line says:

You unravel me, with a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance, from my enemies
Till all my fears are gone

If I’m going to be unraveled, please, Lord I want YOU to be the one pulling the threads that will deliver me from the enemies in my mind.

Blessings in Christ,
Kathy K.