My husband has been through some of the most difficult moments of his life over the past two years. I have lived with a man that became a stranger, as I saw my husband struggle not only with life's circumstances, but with his own thoughts of being a failure. I completely related to what Stormie had written in the very first paragraph...
When he would get down, the words in his mind told him he was going to fail, be worth nothing, that he was incapable of doing what he needed to do. -Stormie OMartian (p.81)
During that time, I told myself that what he was feeling was "normal" because he was losing a business and making a huge transition in life. I was struggling as well, and so it didn't strike me as being really bad until the things he said sounded so unlike him that I worried about what was happening to him. Again, I completely understood the following words...
I didn't realize for a long time that the mind battles he endured did not have to be written off as "just the way he is." Nor did he have to fight them alone. If he and I were one, then an assault on his mind was an assault on me as well. –Stormie OMartian (p.81)
I began to pray as I'd never done before. I knew that this was a battle for my husband and the call God had placed on his life. I knew that satan was trying to "take him out" before he ever made it into the race, because if he never entered, the enemy would have one less person to worry about. I put on the armor of God as never before and began to fight for my husband's mind. It was an especially scary time for me, as Mike is one of the most intelligent people I know and even that seemed to be gone. He couldn't remember things and when he spoke, it was only negative. The enemy was gaining control over his mind and I wasn't going to stand for it!
Slowly Mike began to change and "see the light" again. He knew that God had a plan for him and he was willing to follow through... no matter how hard it was going to be. I promised to be there with him. That was a day to praise God for sure! My husband was back!
Depression, bitterness, anger, fear, rejection, hopelessness, loneliness, rebellion, temptation, evil, and many diseases all begin in the mind. These things can control your life unless you take control of your mind first. -Stormie OMartian (p.88)
I've continued to pray for Mike, but especially in this area. With the "line of work" he's in, the enemy is constantly trying to destroy him and if he can get to Mike's mind... the battle is easy. How can we as wives NOT pray over such an important thing? Whether your husband is a Christ follower or not, praying over your husband's mind is so important. If he follows Christ, the enemy wants to destroy him... and if he doesn't follow Christ, the enemy wants to continue to feed him the lies that will keep him away from God.
Pray fervently on this one women! May our husbands experience a freedom that can only be found in Christ... and may we be the warriors on their behalf covering them!
MY PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray over my husband's mind... that there would be no place for thoughts that are not of You. May he be so filled with Your truth that there is no room for doubt, negativity, or lies from the enemy. Protect his mind from any disease such as alzheimer's or depression that is in his family line. Break the chain Lord, and free him from his past family line. I pray that his mind will remain sound and clear until he goes to be with You. Thank You for answering his prayers and clearing his mind from his past memories of his life before You. I praise You that You have done such a glorious thing in his life! Please help me to see the signs when my husband is "slipping" and cover him even more fervently in prayer. Lord, as he goes to "the front lines" to fight this battle for You, please fill his mind with thoughts of You. Make Your purpose for him clear and may his heart for You guide his thoughts. In Jesus' name, Amen.
It's not too late to join us for the month of June as we pray for our husbands! You can check out more about it by clicking the following link: S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer... Please share a link to your blog post if you've made one on this chapter!
The way the US is right now, this is VERY important. I know my husband's job is pretty secure, but there was a time when I know he was worried. I felt him stress about it and kind of pull away from me. If I'd known then to just pray about his mind...I was praying for his job security. Maybe things would have cleared a bit faster and I wouldn't have worried so much.
~Jen W
I've been blogging about each day as I've read (journeling, really, and then posting it to my blog). Please feel free to read and comment - www.theayscues.blogspot.com
After going through a very rough period of change over the past year, I allowed my frustrations and resentment take control. I realize that I have contributed to those negative thoughts that my husband has been struggling with by forgetting that we are one in Christ. Instead of praying for him to be released, I have added to his insecurities and fears. I do ask God for forgiveness as a result of this ministry, and pray for my husband's mind and my mind to become one so that we can fulfill God's purpose for our lives as husband and wife. Thank you for the healing that is coming from these 30 days of prayer for my husband.
and a woman seeking the Lord's Will (daily), a wife (striving to keep the romance alive), a "Smamma" (Step- mother) of one and a homeschooling mom of seven (I was never going to have children), who starts every day over (after messing SOME thing up the day before), knowing God's grace is overflowing (just like my laundry), and so thankful He's blessed me more than I'll ever deserve.
Posted by Anonymous 
Sunday, June 7, 2009 - Mind
~Jen W