In the Art Gallery of My Mind

But do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you, saying, "The LORD will deliver us." Has any one of the gods of the nations delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? 'Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their land from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?'" 2 Kings 18:32-35 (New American Standard Bible)

Words can be used to paint factual or fictional pictures in our mind! The king of Assyria sent messengers to the children of Israel with a seemingly sure picture of defeat. Upon the walls of their imaginations they painted a scene with the use of Israel’s fears and Assyria’s past defeats of other nations. What they said sounded plausible but it never came about. Israel trusted God and the Assyrians mocked God and in the end their carefully crafted depiction dissolved.

The enemy of our soul uses the same strategy as the Assyrians. He loves nothing more than to paint distorted pictures of situations with hopes we will embrace his lies. For the past two days I found myself viewing his “art gallery” that he was more than happy to display. It started with an invitation by a friend to listen to the archives of a radio program she felt would be helpful for me. The subject was on relationships and after reading the excerpt of the program’s topic I was suddenly filled with a lot of negative emotions. What came to the surface was shame and condemnation over a past relationship issue wherein I still housed some wrong thoughts. Not only could I not listen to the program, I also couldn’t shake the feelings that enveloped me. Today, I began looking at the negative thoughts and feelings and realized they were sure signs of the enemy’s presence and tactics. With that realization came some truth I was ready to receive from God.

I had allowed the enemy to paint distorted pictures of a situation and what he was using for his paints was blood from my own internal wounds! But I knew it didn’t have to continue to be like that. What I needed to do was give my wounds to God and allow Him to paint a truthful picture for me. What a difference!

I have said it before and I will say it again, “I am a visual person and I need very visual examples to help me learn!” What God showed me today will stick with me and help me to walk in victory through His precious art galleries of my mind.

Father, the enemy has many tools and tactics, but only You have the truth! I now look to You for the interpretation and portrayal of all the events in my life. I praise You! Amen.

open the eyes of my heart lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wutmEjdbedE&feature=related