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Purpose, Sadness, and Loneliness

Do you have a sense of purpose for your life? Do you see how sadness is related to a lack of purpose? How do you know what your purpose is? To learn more, read my post called Know Your Purpose? In this post, we will explore why having a sense of purpose diminishes or eliminates sadness and loneliness. Webster’s dictionary defines purpose as to aim, intend, or resolve to do something good or achieve a goal.

Focusing on achieving a goal or doing something good takes your mind off what makes you sad or lonely. Having a purpose can diminish and even eliminate sadness when the source is feeling hopeless and despondent. Let’s face it, most of the time we feel sad, and it is most often about how we have been wronged. Yes, grieving is healthy sadness, but when you become sad because of a wrong, this can be diminished or eliminated. Often, when we suffer a loss, we also lose our sense of purpose. You will learn how to find another purpose despite the loss. Loneliness makes us feel sad because we don’t feel connected to others.

How Trials and Afflictions Make You Sad But Give You Purpose

I can give many examples, but here is one: when I was going through a difficult trial at work many years ago, I focused on earning a post-baccalaureate certificate and on writing my testimony in Hope For Complete Healing. Achieving goals helped me not feel despondent about the unfairness. I had to battle anxiety since I was the only one with a full-time job, and helping my son with his college tuition. At the very last minute (God’s timing), my husband was given a full-time job, which also helped my son with his tuition. God is faithful, and we can trust Him. God also gave me a new purpose for when I would be laid off: to write my first book and start my Hope for Complete Healing ministry.

The trials in my life prepared me for my purpose. Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” The condition is to love God and be called according to His purpose. His main purpose is for you to be conformed to the image of God. Verse 29a says, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” God foreknew everyone who would love Him. We are conformed to His image through affliction (James 1:2-4). King David said in Psalm 119:50, “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” Knowing God’s promises comforts us and lifts our sadness. Afflictions contribute to depression, so knowing God’s promises and trusting Him will give you hope and a feeling of life. I wrote a book called Unlocking God’s Promises. I encourage you to get a copy to know God’s promises.

Where Does Our Purpose Come From?

Our emotions are complex, but know that you are made in the image of God, who has all the same emotions. Even in the midst of your suffering and sadness, you can find purpose. Consider the following purposes that God shows us in the Bible. A sense of purpose breaks the stronghold of loneliness as well.

Show others love as you would want to be loved.
Be kind to someone, even the person or people who are troubling or ignoring you.
Be patient when things don’t go as you want.
Be gentle when annoyed.
Spread joy by encouraging others, even when you feel discouraged.
Ease a burden for someone.
Seek peace with others and don’t argue.
Be faithful to your family and employer.
Be trustworthy and not lie.
Be self-controlled and do not indulge your unhealthy feelings or desires.
Be thankful for something, even that you are not a leper in India.
Pray for someone who is struggling.
Minister to widows and orphans by visiting or helping them.
Show hospitality.
Use your gifts to serve others.

All the above actions help you focus on others and not yourself. I learned that sadness is self-focused on what I think is unfair and on my wants and feelings. Loneliness is also self-focused. When you focus on others or achieving a goal, it gets your focus off yourself and your troubles. Try it, and tell me how you feel afterwards. As soon as you begin to think about “poor me” and how you are being wronged, or whatever it is, then choose something on the list above and focus on accomplishing that instead. Make a habit of focusing on others, and you will feel as if you have a purpose.

Conclusion

Here are a few, but not exhaustive, ways to overcome sadness.

Being sad is an emotional response to living in a sinful world with sinful people. Stay in prayer and forgiveness so you aren’t filled with toxic sadness and hopelessness.
Acknowledge that you are sad, which is okay, forgive, and look for ways to avoid focusing on how you or others were wronged.
Let the wrong define your purpose. If a friend’s husband leaves her for another woman, you can feel sad for her, but you now have an opportunity to serve and help her in her time of need. When I was going through a divorce and was a single mother, many people helped me. I have the purpose to help other single mothers who are struggling.
We will always be offended or feel hurt by someone. Forgive and don’t let the other person’s weakness steal your joy and peace. Pray for them.
Don’t make excuses that you were born melancholy; that is a non-biblical label and not how God intended you to exist. See yourself as God sees you, which you can read in my post called How Does God See You?.

May God bless you richly as you seek Him and become more like Him.

Related Posts:

HOW TO REPLACE SADNESS WITH REJOICING

Prevent Suicide and Addictions with Hope

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All verses are from the English Standard Version. If you find my posts and website helpful, please share this link with your friends and family: hopeforcompletehealing.com. The information is copyright-protected. Please do not reproduce any part of the posts or my book without proper citation to Joyce Hanscom and this website.

My latest book, Unlocking God’s Promises, explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts.

Contact me at hopeforcompletehealing@gmail.com and ask for a PDF of Eight Life-Changing Prayers from the Bible. The prayers are for the Spirit of wisdom, renewal, spiritual strength, knowledge of His will, virtues of God, non-believers, the 23rd Psalm, and victory. I will also send you the Lord’s Prayer Model to pray effectively. Please leave your name, so I know you are a real person making the request.

Ten Ways to Overcome a Critical Spirit

Where does a Critical Spirit come from? We all tend to see how others can do better or be better, so we feel the need to tell them. This is not bad if it is done in love and received as being loving. Being criticized often feels like being judged. The problem is, we don’t like to be told what is wrong with what we did. When we feel criticized, we feel rejected, and we don’t want to be with the person who criticizes us. Has this ever happened to you? How did it make you feel? How is your relationship with the person who criticized you?

Why Are People Critical?

I was a very critical person for many years. The Lord showed me that I had low self-esteem, so I would criticize others to make myself look better. I had a judgmental stronghold that was built by a critical mother, and I felt like I could never be good enough. The critical spirit is fueled by anger. So the first way to overcome a critical spirit is to work through all the bad memories of when someone criticized you and you felt rejected. First, ask God to show you the earliest memory or strongest memory of when you felt judged or criticized (Psalm 139:23-24). Don’t relive the experience and don’t talk about it. Immediately forgive the person for what they said to you and ask God to release and heal the resentment, rejection, and anger you felt and still feel. Then ask God to remove the spirit attachment to that memory. Next, ask God to show you the next painful memory of criticism, then forgive, release, and remove the attached spirit. To learn more about how and why healing your memories changes your life, read my online book at hopeforcompletehealing.com.

How Do I Change My Heart From Critical to Caring?

The remaining nine ways to overcome a critical spirit are adapted from Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook by June Hunt.

Humble your heart to see your sin and your immense need for God’s mercy. Next, see others’ significance in God’s eyes, and when you criticize them, you hurt God. Pray and ask God to help you show the same grace to others that He shows you (James 4:11 and 2:13)
Put on and practice showing compassion for others (Col. 3:12). Look closely at the life of Christ to learn His compassionate way of confronting the truth. Pray that you will be controlled by Christ’s love for others (1Cor. 16:14 and 1John 4:7) .
Draw out the heartfelt needs of others (Prov. 20:5). Pray that God will give you a discerning spirit as you seek to draw others out and encourage them with what they are doing right.
Offer acceptance to others (Rom. 15:7). Realize that everyone has an innate fear of rejection and a deep yearning for acceptance. Pray and ask God to be a channel through which He extends His grace and values others.
See the God-given worth in others (Luke 12:6-7). Ask God to help you treat every person, especially the one most problematic to you, as someone with God-given worth. And pray that the Lord will not allow you to despise anyone whom He created and loves. If you despise someone, ask God to show you why, forgive them if they have hurt or disappointed you, then ask God to give you mercy toward that person.
Praise the positives in others (Phil. 4:8). Ask God to help you see the positive and right things people are doing, and be thankful. Also, ask Him to help you see others as He sees them and value them as He values them.
Refuse to wound others with words (Col. 3:16 and Eph. 4:29). Prayerfully consider the possibility that what you are criticizing in someone may be something God wants to deal with you about. Before speaking words of criticism, ask a wise friend to evaluate the content and tone of your words. Realize that after critical words are spoken, you can never take them back. If you need to share how someone has hurt you, ask God for the right words as His instrument for good, and pray that the other person will receive what you have to say.
See the unmet needs of others (Phil. 4:19). Instead of judging the inappropriate actions of others, seek to understand the need behind each action. If someone is critical of you, realize that their words reveal that they have unmet inner needs (for love, significance, or security). Realize that people don’t always mean what they say, nor understand their own deepest needs.
Rely on God’s Word and God’s Spirit for wisdom (Heb. 4:12). Memorize James 3:13-18 about what the wisdom from above is and is not. Pray that God’s Spirit will teach you spiritual truths and lead you to speak these truths in love (1Cor. 2:13).

Conclusion:

A criticism begins as a thought, which is in your control. Ask God if it is necessary for you to address the issue; if so, ask God how you should address the issue in love. For example, our church was practicing for the Christmas program. The choir director got mean with the children’s program director. I witnessed it and knew it needed to be addressed because the other person is easily offended. I prayed about how to address the critical words spoken by the choir director and asked God to direct my words. I called her, and when I described what I witnessed, she immediately saw her sin and repented. She called the children’s program director and apologized. The next Sunday morning, she apologized to the whole church. Since that time, I have noticed that she is more careful with her words. But the damage is done.

Jesus explains in His first sermon how we are to act as His followers. Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Jesus also said in Matthew 22:37-40, “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38) This is the great and first commandment. 39) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40) On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’” Let everything you do be done in love. Before you can love others well, you need to fix your love issues. See my page on resolving love issues.

Love From a Pure Heart

How to Respond to Criticism

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My latest book, Unlocking God’s Promises, explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts.

The Best Way to Manage Stress

Would you agree that fear and powerlessness cause the greatest stress? For something to be stressful, it has to trigger an emotional response from the amygdala, the emotional part of your brain. When your amygdala is activated, it raises your cortisol levels, which is your stress hormone, and you have a physical reaction: either fight, flee, or freeze. The longer you remain in this stress reaction, the more adverse physical symptoms you will have. There are many articles about the effects of Cortisol and how to reduce stress, which I linked below. In this post, I want to share my experience on the best way to manage stress.

How to Overcome Stress – https://hopeforcompletehealing.com/2025/02/02/how-to-overcome-stress/

20 Ways to Relieve Stress – https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-relieve-stress

Trauma and Cortisol: Their Impact on Mental Health – https://integratingpulse.com/articles/trauma-and-cortisol-mental-health-implications/

Managing Stress With Prayer

Friday nights, I go to the County Jail to lead a Bible Study with a co-teacher, Sandy. An inmate, who never went to church or read the Bible, asked if overcoming her addiction was as simple as praying. I said, “Yes.” So I put together a Bible study on prayer —why and how it works. During the next Bible study, a stressful situation happened to one of the inmates. But before I tell you about it, I need to share some of my Bible study so you understand how I helped the woman overcome the overwhelming stress.

I knew something was wrong because she turned red, was breathing faster, and looked terrified. I asked her what was wrong, and she said, “The CO (Correction Officer) was carrying reds.” I asked her what “reds” meant. She said you are put in a red uniform when you are in lockdown, and everything is taken from you. She felt she was going to be put in reds because of a verbal altercation she had with another member of the Bible Study, who then refused to come. The fear that the red uniform was for her sent her into a panic. I was on the spot to prove that prayer works.

How Prayer Works: Outline.

What is prayer? – It is our power connection (find an electric outlet). It’s useless unless you plug into it, but it is available when you need it. Prayer is useless until you plug into God, but you must be connected to Him through believing. (1Cor. 2:5, Rom. 1:6, 1Cor. 1:18).

What is faith? – It is our connection to God as we trust Him. Faith is our power cord that connects our spirit to God, the Almighty Spirit. He is our power source that we access through faith (Heb. 11:1 & verse 6, Gal. 5:5).

What is submission? – To yield to the authority, control, and power of another, also called surrendering. Submission turns on the power and allows God’s power to work in your life. If you are prideful and want to stay in control, then your prayer does not turn the power on. Submitting to God’s will allows His power to flow in your life and make changes.

What is sin? – It is disobedience to God, and it separates us from God, so our prayers are not effective until we repent and submit to God’s will. Sin causes power outages that need to be fixed so power can flow again. Sin separates you from God (Is. 5 9:1-2 and Ps. 66:18). Repair the break through confessing and repenting (1John 1:9, Acts 3:19, 8:22).

To learn more about prayer, please see my page called “Posts about Prayer.”

Why Prayer Works: Outline

I then explained to the girls the four realities of the Spirit world to understand why prayer works. Read my post called “Four Realities of the Spirit World” for complete details.

Reality one: We are spiritual beings in a physical body living in a spirit world within a physical world. (Jm. 2:26, Lk 23:46, Acts 7:59).

Reality two: God is an eternal Spirit being, which means He has always existed. He is also an all-powerful Spirit-being that is present everywhere. (Rev. 1:8, 1Cor. 2:11, John 4:24, 2Cor 3:17).

God’s desire from the beginning of time is to be in a loving fellowship with mankind. Fellowship also means companionship, and some call it a relationship. (1Cor. 1:9, 1John 1:3, and Isaiah 41:10-13 tell us that God holds our hand through our spiritual being.

Reality three: The devil and demons are evil spirits who are fallen angels. These evil spirits want to keep us from being in fellowship with God. And they will deceive and tempt us to please our sinful, fleshly desires and live independently of God. (1Peter 5:8-9, Matt. 4:1-11). James 4:7-8; “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8) Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Reality four: God the Holy Spirit replaces our sin-corrupted spirits and gives us a new life, and we become born again spiritually (see 1Peter 1:3 & 1 Cor 6:17). We get this new life when we believe with our heart and confess out loud that Jesus Christ is God the Son, who died to pay the debt for sin, forgives our sins, and frees us from sin’s control (see John 1:29; 1John 4:15; 1Peter 1:18-19; Colossians 1:14; & Galatians 5:1).

Conclusion:

Because God is our power source, and prayer is how we access His power, this makes prayer the best way to manage our stress and also become free from addictions and habitual sin. So, when Amanda had the stress reaction, I had her practice praying and giving her fearful thoughts to God and to bring in His peace and joy, and if she were put into reds and locked down, that God had a purpose for it. Rather than letting Satan steal your peace and joy, take the fearful thoughts captive, command them to be gone, and then focus on praising God. She immediately calmed down. I told her that it is okay to be upset when something bad happens, but dwelling on it will give fear power over your emotions and behavior. Praying causes you to focus on God’s power to help you. Where you allow your mind to focus will be the direction you go. Do you want to live in fear and anxiety or in peace and joy? Prayer is the best way to manage stress.

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My latest book, Unlocking God’s Promises, explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts.

Heal Goodness Issues to Heal Mental and Physical Illness

What happens when someone says or does something bad to you? Why are people bad and hurtful, and how can they be good and helpful instead? When people do or say bad things to you, it wounds your soul or heart. These offenses create negative energy that negatively affects your health. I was amazed when I healed the goodness issues from my past, and my asthma improved. Everyone has goodness issues to heal because we all have been abused (in one way or another), shamed, gossiped about, devalued, and so on.

Why Are People Not Good?

We are all born with a sinful nature that causes us to be naturally bad and desire to hurt others. You don’t have to train a child to disobey, hit, lie, steal, be selfish, etc. Therefore, we are intentionally or unintentionally hurtful and cause wounds in someone’s heart. Our hearts are healed when the painful memory of the hurtful action is healed through forgiving the person or people. See my webbook to learn more about healing your memories.

Only God is good, and only He can make us good. When a person acknowledges they are a sinner, asks God for forgiveness, and receives Him into their hearts, they will have the true power to be good. Many people think they are good, even though they are sinners. All sin separates you from God, and no one can be good except through God. Though sinners may do good deeds, they are often driven by unconscious sinful desires. For example, I had an unsaved prisoner say she was a good person, even when she sold drugs. I explained that selling drugs causes harm to another person and is therefore bad, not good. Another inmate, who was saved, understood and explained to her that they thought they were being helpful by selling drugs.

What is Goodness and Good Works

Let’s examine what goodness and good works are. Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit that develops when we become spiritually and mentally healthy. Additionally, when we receive Christ as our Savior, we must conform to His image as we allow Him to heal our minds. Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Titus 3:1-8 explains some of the good works we are to do and how God’s goodness empowers us to do good works. There is a lot to unpack in this passage.

“Remind them

to be submissive to rulers and authorities, (Rom 13:1 also states, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
to be obedient, (Col 3:22-24),
to be ready for every good work, (2Cor. 9:8, Col. 1:10, and 2Tim. 2:21)
to speak evil of no one, (James 4:11 and Acts 23:5)
to avoid quarreling, (Rom. 14:1 and 2Tim. 2:14)
to be gentle, and
to show perfect courtesy toward all people (1Cor. 13:4-5).

It is hard to submit to our rulers and those in authority, especially if we disagree with them or have resentment towards them. We are still required by God to obey them. This passage has the same advice as I explained in my last post. If you haven’t read it, please do. Thank you. The reason we struggle with Titus’s instructions is that we harbor resentments and anger from hurtful memories, especially toward authority figures. Many of us also have trust issues because those in authority over us hurt us by their sinful actions. These wounds need to be healed, so we can trust and submit to authority.

3) For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. This describes our sinful nature and the present worldview. 1Corinthians 6:11 adds, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

4) But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy,
by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

It is God the Holy Spirit who will wash us clean from our sins, regenerate our sinful nature to be righteous, and renew our minds to do what is good and right. Re-read the above verses and meditate on each phrase until you have internalized these fabulous truths.

8) The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Now we must seek to do good to those around us and not harm them. But first, you need to be washed, regenerated (sanctified), and renewed by the Holy Spirit; otherwise, our sinful nature still controls our thoughts and actions. Sanctification or renewal begins by putting off our old sinful nature by counting it dead, then putting on our new self, which is in the image of God, righteous and holy in truth (Eph. 4:22-24).

Go to my web page that explains the process for working through your goodness issues. This is not a quick process, but it will be well worth your effort.

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My latest book, Unlocking God’s Promises, explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts.

Additionally, consider my book Fighting Unseen Battles, which describes the many unhealthy beliefs that control our lives and what the truths are. To learn more about this book, read the post How to Fight Unseen Battles. Contact me at hopeforcompletehealing@gmail.com and ask for a PDF of Eight Life-Changing Prayers from the Bible. The prayers are for the Spirit of wisdom, renewal, spiritual strength, knowledge of His will, virtues of God, non-believers, the 23rd Psalm, and victory. I will also send you the Lord’s Prayer Model to pray effectively. Please leave your name, so I know you are a real person making the request.

Ten Ways to Live in Peace to Maintain Mental Health

Are there people who make you miserable? Do you have a hard time living in peace with family members, co-workers, or even church members? Are you triggered when someone challenges you or disrespects you?

Peace is a hallmark of someone who does not let people and situations affect them emotionally. How can someone do that? I admire those who stay calm and can be rational with those who are angry and dysfunctional. I have always reacted negatively to those who were mean to me, which is human nature. I often become anxious when situations are outside my control. In this post, you will learn the ten ways to stay above chaotic people and situations that affect your mental health.

I grew up in a very angry home, where fights were the norm every day. I never had peace or joy in my life, even when I lived alone, because my mental health was affected by the chaos of my past. Then I married an abusive man, who antagonized me with constant threats and put-downs. The fights were horrendous because my old tapes replayed in my mind. I desperately wanted to feel valued and loved. Have you ever noticed that where there is love in the home, there is also peace and joy? Where there is respect, there is peace and cooperation.

First, Deal With Your Own Peace Issues.

You can’t live in peace with others if your mind and heart are filled with conflicting emotions from past trauma and painful memories. When I worked through my peace issues, I became emotionally stable. I am a completely different person today, and as I continue to work through peace issues, I can now separate myself from the emotions of another person and not let them bother me. For example, a woman who is contentious came up to me on several occasions and spoke in an unkind way. I was able to smile and listen to her and not react out of my past insecurity tapes. That is when I knew I had victory and could live in peace with anyone. The other way you know you are living in peace is if you don’t repeat the matter and gossip. Not being triggered by other people’s weaknesses is the victory we are to strive for.

Peace is as big an issue as love is to God. Matthew 5:9 states, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Peacemakers are not people pleasers, but they make peace with those who are controversial. And Hebrews 12:14 states, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Striving means to work hard for. People who make an effort to live in peace with those around them are also holy. Holiness is having a pure heart and living in perfect, harmonious union with God and people. Holiness is a huge topic that I will not cover in this post. Please read my posts about why and how to purify your heart and soul. WHY HEAL YOUR HEART AND PURIFY YOUR SOUL? and Five Steps to Heal Your Heart and Purify Your Soul.

Second, Give the Circumstances to God and be Thankful.

It is hard to have peace when the world around you is falling apart, or your health is falling apart, or your family is falling apart. God wants you to cast your cares and anxieties on Him because He cares for you (1Peter 5:7). The devil is looking for a chance to steal your peace and joy, through chaos. Overcome the devil by keeping your faith and eyes on Jesus (1Peter 5:8-9). In John 16:33, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Being thankful is another way to keep peace in your heart despite your circumstances (Phil. 4:6-7 and 1Thes. 5:16-18). For example, you get a flat tire and you are late for an appointment. Before you get upset, thank God for his protection and for giving you a sound mind to know what to do. Ask God to help you and keep your mind on God’s perfect will being accomplished in the situation. It is amazing how being thankful helps you maintain a sound mind.

How to Respond to Those in Opposition.

I came across Second Timothy 2:22-26, which offers insight into how to live in peace with difficult people. In today’s politically divided world, we have ample opportunity to practice living in peace. Romans 12:18 states, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

22) So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. When we were young, we would take everything personally. If someone didn’t do what we wanted, we would get angry. If they snubbed us, we would get angry, and so on. Now we are to put away our youthful passions and childish thinking and love others (1Cor. 13:4-11). We must now pursue (strive for) righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

23) Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. We are all familiar with foolish, ignorant controversies, so I won’t describe them here. If you know an issue is controversial, do not become emotionally engaged with it. As I said earlier, when you are at peace in your own mind, then you will be at peace with others. No one ever wins a quarrel, which is why Satan baits us to quarrel with each other. The definition of quarrel is a cause of dispute, complaint, or hostile feeling (dictionary.com 2025). Quarreling destroys relationships.

24-26) And the Lord’s servant must

A. not be quarrelsome

B. (be) kind to everyone,

C. able to teach,

D. patiently enduring evil (trouble, Rom 12:12),

E. correcting his (or her) opponents with gentleness.

God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Conclusion

The ten ways to live in peace are:

Deal with your peace issues to eliminate the triggers that cause emotional upset from other people’s rude unkindness.
Pray and give all your troubles and concerns to God.
Be thankful in every circumstance, even those that are stressful.
Strive for and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
Do not quarrel.
Show kindness.
Teach the truth.
Be patient.
Gently correct those in opposition.
Set your mind on the things of God and purify your heart.

1Thessalonians 5:23 states, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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My latest book, Unlocking God’s Promises, explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts.

How to Become A New Person

Do you struggle with doubt that God is happy with your life? Do you feel like a hypocrite because you don’t feel you measure up to the church’s standard? When I read about putting off your old self with its evil practices, I felt guilty and helpless to overcome my personal sins and addictions. There is hope. We all know the verse in 2Corintians 5:17, which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” So, why didn’t I act like a new creation? The new creation loves God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loves others as themselves.

God knows all about your struggles, and He still loves you (Ps. 139). He wants to help you be free (John 8:36). James 4:6-8 outlines the basic steps you need to take to see victory in your new life in Christ.

Humble yourself before God and admit that you can’t live godly and be like Christ without Him and His help. God honors the prayers of the humble person. James 4:6 states, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
Submit your life and your situation to Him. My last post explained how to submit to God and live through Him. Admit you want to please Him, but you need His help. James 4:7 states, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Also, read my post called Why, What, and How to Submit to God and be FREE.
Resist the devil’s temptations to sin or feel condemned and hopeless.
Draw near to God in prayer, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Hebrews 4:15-16 states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Repent of known sins. Act 3:19 states. “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” Our sins separate us from God and block our prayers. Isaiah 59:2 states, “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Repent means you seek God’s forgiveness for your sins and ask His help to overcome the sin, then resolve to obey and put on a new self that reflects Christ’s image.

I struggled for years to put off my old, sinful inner self. I hated how my sins and addictions continued to control my behavior. I was under tremendous guilt and condemnation. I prayed the following prayer every day for several years. When I submitted my resentments and trauma memories to God, and He began to heal them, and I forgave those who hurt me, then this prayer was more effective. Visit hopeforcompletehealing.com to discover how to receive healing for your painful memories and be freed from resentments. I now love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love others as myself.

Prayer of Victory – source unknown; modified by Joyce Hanscom

Father, I want to remind myself this morning that my sin-loving nature (my flesh with its passions and desires [Gal. 5:24]) died with Your Son when He died. I am no longer under sin’s control. Instead, I am alive to God (Rom. 6:1-13) the Creator of the universe is inhabiting my very being (1Cor. 3:16). Live through me today as You choose, so that I may say as Jesus did, that I do nothing of myself, but live by the power of the living Father (John 5:19; 6:57). I don’t want to do anything from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, I want to regard others as more important than myself. Not to look out for my own personal interests but also for the interests of others, which was Christ’s attitude (Phil. 2:3-5).

Today, I put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with others and forgiving them, not complaining about them but forgiving them, just as You have forgiven me. And beyond all these things, I want to put on a heart of LOVE (Col. 3:12-14, Eph. 4 :31-32). That I may be patient and not react to pain and trouble by complaining or losing self-control. I will be kind by showing sympathy, friendship, gentleness, and tenderheartedness. I have put into my heart a love that is not jealous, does not brag, is not arrogant, and is not full of pride or self-importance or haughtiness. Please help me not to act unbecomingly and not to seek my own interests. Please give me the grace to forgive and not keep a record of wrongs. I do not want to rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoice with the truth. Lastly, I put on Your love, which bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things through Your strength (1Cor. 13:4-7).

Father, I ask that I would be rooted and grounded in Christ’s love. That I may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. Fill me with Your fullness (Eph. 3:17-19). And fill me with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to walk worthily to please You in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Strengthen me with all power, according to Your glorious might, to attain all steadfastness and patience. Let me joyously thank the Father, who has qualified me to share in the saints’ inheritance in light (Col. 1:9-12).

This day is Yours. I realize that anything that comes my way today, whether a promotion or deposing (Ps. 75:6-7), victory or defeat, blessing or testing, mountain or valley, has come with Your permission. It has come with great purpose from my loving heavenly Father to bless me and conform me to the image of Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:28-29). And since you spared not Your Son, but gave Him up for me, won’t you surely give me everything else? (Rom. 8:32). Today, I am more than a conqueror through Christ (Rom. 8:37), and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). I will choose today to rejoice always in the Lord; pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks; for this is Your will (1Thes. 5:16-18).

I now put on the armor of God that I may be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, to stand firm: I put on the belt of truth and store Your word in my heart that I may not sin against you (Ps. 119:11). Next, I put on the breastplate of righteousness by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires (Rom. 13:14). I will put on the shoes of the gospel of peace that I may strive to live in peace with all people (Heb. 12:14). Then, I will take up the shield of faith with which to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And put on the helmet of salvation, and take up the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word (Eph. 6:13-17). I put on the Lord Jesus Christ and choose to walk by the Spirit today, not carrying out the desire of my corrupt flesh and spirit as though I was still in darkness (Gal. 5:16, 25; Rom 13:13-14). Father, I want to glorify You today by bearing much fruit and showing myself to be Your disciple (John 15:8). I acknowledge that You are the vine, and I am a branch that cannot bear fruit apart from You (John 15:5). Help me, Lord, to bring forth Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control today. Amen.

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You may copy and modify this prayer to help you with your specific issues you want to transform.

My latest book, Unlocking God’s Promises, explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts.

Mental and Spiritual Health Transformation

How do you know when you are mentally healthy? As you know, mental health is complex, but it is affected by your spiritual health. I discovered that when I am spiritually healthy, I am also mentally healthy. When I am mentally healthy, I am also emotionally healthy. I also discovered that sin in our lives and in the world affects our mental health, so the first thing to do for your mental health is to deal with your sin and the sins of others that hurt you.

I know when my spiritual health is down by the thoughts I am thinking, which reveal my mental health, so I ask God to show me why I am thinking negative or unforgiving thoughts. Here is the process I go through to transform my mind.

Recognize what I am thinking, especially if I am feeling sad, anxious, or mad.
Ask God why? If you don’t hear from God, then get your concordance out and find the word that best fits how you are feeling. You can also bring up Biblegateway.com or Biblehub.com and search for verses to address your current mental state.
Look up the scriptures to discover what unhealthy belief you have that is affecting your thoughts. I wrote a blog that lists various unhealthy beliefs and the truth to replace them: EXCHANGE OPPRESSIVE LIES FOR FREEDOM.
Take captive the wrong thoughts and beliefs, commanding them to be gone, and put in biblically true thoughts and beliefs in your mind.

A recent example:

I was feeling sad and angry. I ask God to show me why I was sad. My mother, who is 83 with dementia, was put on comfort care at the nursing home. My Aunt said to have her evaluated at the hospital. It turns out she had pneumonia. I was sad and angry that the nursing home was going to let her die without being evaluated. I took my thoughts captive and put them out, forgave those in charge of her care, and then put in the scripture truth that God knows all things and only He knows when our last breath will be. Apparently, I signed a paper stating that comfort care only would be provided if she had an irreversible condition. But without an evaluation, how did they know the illness was not reversible? I was also sad because I spent 10 days in the hospital with her, and hosted my Aunt many of those days, which totally disrupted my plans. I took those thoughts captive and replaced them with the truth that Jesus would want me to be with her in her time of need, and everything else can be put on hold. Matthew 25:45 states, “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’”

How to Become Spiritually Healthy and Transform Your Mind (Eph. 4:22-24; Rom. 12:1-2; and Col. 3:10).

What you think dictates what you feel and how you behave. Read each of the passages several times to put these truths into your heart and mind. If you struggle with any point in the passage, then ask God why. You may have a wrong belief that needs to be put off before the truth can be put on.

I died with Christ, now sin does not rule my life (Rom. 6:11 & 16), and I was buried, raised, and made alive with Christ (Col. 2:12-13). To die with Christ is to consider my worldly and sinful desires as dead, so they no longer control me (Rom. 6:6-7). Since I have died to my fleshly desires, I no longer live for myself, but for Christ (2 Cor. 5:14-15; Gal. 2:20 & 5:24). My life is now hidden in Him, and Christ is now my life (Col. 2:20; 3:3; Rom. 6:11-12). Now I can do what is right and loving since Christ is in my heart by faith (Eph 3:17).

I am free from the power of sin over my mind, and I can passionately pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness (1Tim. 6:11), and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (2Tim. 2:22). I will also add to my faith; moral excellence (virtue), then knowledge of God, then self-control, then steadfastness and endurance; then godliness, then brotherly kindness, and then love (2Pet. 1:5-7). I will walk by the Spirit and not gratify my sinful flesh (Gal. 5:16). I will set my mind on the Spirit to have life and peace and not on my sinful flesh, which is death to my spirit (Rom. 8:6).

I am firmly rooted in Christ and am now being built up in Him (Col. 2 :7). As I become rooted in Christ, I will begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is Christ’s character of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-24). I can only bear fruit as I abide in the vine, Jesus Christ, and in His word (John 15:5-9). Because of Christ in me, I have been made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21). Now I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13).

When I live in Christ and keep my mind on the Spirit of God, I have His divine power to live a godly life through the knowledge of Him who called me to His glory and excellence. And I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I am a partaker of His divine nature to escape the corruption of the world because of sinful desires (2 Pet. 1:3-4). I have divine power to put to death all earthly desires: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Col. 3:5). I can put on my new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator, Jesus Christ (Col. 3:10). I put on a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with others and, if I have a complaint against another, forgiving them; as the Lord has forgiven me, and above all these I put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Col. 3:12-14).

Because Jesus understands my weaknesses, I have the confidence to come boldly before the throne of God to find mercy and grace in times of need when I am being tempted (Heb. 4:16; Heb. 2:18). I have a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, and I am not afraid (2 Tim. 1:7). Fear, anger, and anxiety no longer controls my mind; if it does, then I pray and put it out and put in the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. My words have the power to influence my mind; therefore, I will set my mind on the things of the Spirit and on Christ and not on the things of the world (Col. 3:1-3).

I am chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless and predestined for adoption to become a child of God (Eph. 1:4-5; Rom. 8:15-16). Therefore, I have been washed, regenerated, and renewed by the Holy Spirit. I have a holy calling (saved and set apart) according to God’s purpose and grace through Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5). I am being renewed day by day (2Cor. 4:16). Now I am blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3).

Conclusion

If you apply all the Scriptures above, then you will be spiritually and mentally healthy. Sin causes hopelessness and mental illnesses and destroys your relationships. Only when you live through Christ will you be free to truly enjoy life and peace. There is much more to being spiritually healthy. For more details, please read Are You Spiritually Healthy?

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My latest book, Unlocking God’s Promises, explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts.

BENEFITS OF BELONGING

Do you ever wonder where you belong? Do you think there has to be more to life? The answer goes beyond the physical world. When you belong to a club or organization, you develop a passion and purpose; similarly, belonging to Jesus Christ also provides you with a purpose.

Belonging gives you a shared sense of purpose and passion because you are engaged in something meaningful. As a Bible teacher, my purpose is to help others learn and grow in their knowledge of God and the Scriptures. I have a passion for doing my best, and I want my students to achieve their best. I focus on learning new teaching techniques and creating fun activities to enhance my students’ learning experience. I feel that I belong to something greater than myself, and the camaraderie I share with other teachers reinforces this sense of belonging.

What gives you purpose and passion? If you find yourself struggling with this question, I encourage you to look outside yourself and toward the divine presence of God. My relationship with God has provided me with a sense of belonging, passion, and purpose—all of which are essential for mental well-being.

Does your purpose and passion hurt or help others?

Your purpose and passion can either benefit others and society or cause harm. For example, a person struggling with mental health issues may develop a harmful or distorted purpose, like the motivations of someone who commits acts of violence against innocent people. Individuals who inflict pain often hold onto a passion rooted in destructive lies and are influenced by the negativity they allow into their minds.

Ephesians 6:12 states, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” The demonic world cannot read your mind, but they can put negative thoughts into your mind. You can take your bad or negative thoughts captive, put them out of your mind, and meditate on good things. The Apostle Paul suggested in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Consider what thoughts occupy your mind. What influences you to be loving, kind, and helpful? The focus of your mind ultimately shapes your purpose and passion.

God Gives You Purpose

Being part of the family of God is incredibly rewarding and positively impacts your mental health. I have outlined numerous benefits of being a follower of Jesus Christ. Please read the statements below and reflect on how each truth provides you with a sense of purpose and belonging. There is so much to be passionate about!

You have been bought with a price through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus; You are not your own anymore but belong to God (1 Cor. 6:19-20). If you believe this and receive Him into your heart, you are given the right to become a child of God and belong to His family (John 1:12).
Since you are in Christ and He is in you (Col. 1:27), by the grace of God… you have been justified, completely forgiven, and redeemed (renewed) (Rom. 5:1; Eph 1:7). You now belong to Christ Jesus because you are in Christ and forgiven of your sins. Now you have a purpose to tell others of what Christ has done for you and can do for them.
You are free forever from condemnation because you are in Christ (Rom. 8:1). Since you belong to Christ and are free from condemnation of your former sins, you are now free to passionately reach out to those who are hurting and in need of freedom from their sin condition.
You have been placed in Christ by God’s mercy, and you now possess wisdom from God, His righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30).
You have received the Spirit of God that you might know the things freely given to you by God (1 Cor. 2:12). You can now go to God in prayer, and He will give you understanding. You have been given the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2:16).
You have been established, anointed, and sealed by God in Christ, and you have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge guaranteeing your inheritance to come (2 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 1:13-14).
You were predestined and determined by God to be adopted as God’s child (Eph. 1:5).
You have been redeemed and forgiven, and you receive His lavish grace. You have been made alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:5), and raised up and seated with Christ in Heaven (Eph. 2:6).
You are one with God (1Cor. 6:17) and have direct access to God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:17-18). So you may approach God with boldness, freedom, and confidence (Eph. 3:12).
You have been rescued from the domain of Satan’s rule and transferred to the kingdom of Christ. You have been redeemed and forgiven of all your sins. (Col. 1:13-14).
The debt against you has been canceled (Col. 2:14).
Because You are sanctified (by putting off your old self and putting on Christ’s life), you are one with the Sanctifier, Jesus Christ; He is not ashamed to call me brethren (Heb. 2:11). You have been made complete in Christ (Col. 2:10)

Conclusion

We all want to belong to something, to feel accepted, and have a purpose. As I reflect on the senseless assassination of Charlie Kirk, I can’t help but be in awe of his sense of purpose, passion, and belonging. You may not know much about Charlie, or you may not agree with his political stance. He lived his life with passion and boldness because he belonged to the family of God and believed in the conservative movement, which gave him purpose and power to stand against great danger and opposition. He invited people to join him and be a part of his conservative Christian movement. People felt they belonged because they were accepted, and as a result, they had the courage to be passionate about their beliefs and the message of hope. Because you belong to the family of God, you have so much to be passionate about. Go and tell others and invite them to belong to the family of God with you.

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My latest book is Unlocking God’s Promises, which explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts.

HOW DOES GOD SEE YOU?

Do you sometimes have low self-esteem because of the people you compare yourself to? Do you have a shame-based identity because of what you did or what was done to you? What people have said about us and to us shapes our identity. Experiences shape your identity. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ and receive Him into our hearts, we will then have His identity. However, first, we must put off the wrong beliefs. And put on God’s truth.

Last week, I explained how the lies we believe control how we feel about ourselves. I listed different lies and the truth found in God’s word. To have a new self-image, you first need to put off the lies you believe. For example, when you clean your house, you need to remove the trash and dirt first, to make it look clean and new. The following truth statements are for those who believe in and have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Repeat the statements on this list and believe these truths about yourself. Let your identity be based on what God says.

I am the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13) and can preserve and enhance peace and love.

I am the light of the world (Matt. 5:14) and can shine God’s truth and love.

I am a child of God (John 1:12), and I believe and have received Christ into my heart (Eph. 3:17).

I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ’s life (John 15:1-5), so I can grow the fruit of the Spirit.

I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15), and I trust that He will never leave me and will help me (Heb. 13:5b-6).

I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit (John 15:16).

I am a slave of righteousness (Rom. 6:18), and Jesus Christ makes me righteous (1Cor. 5:21).

I am a child of God: God is spiritually my Father (Rom. 8:14-15; Gal. 3:26; 4:6).

I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Rom. 8:17).

I am a temple, a dwelling place of God. His Spirit and life dwell in me (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19).

I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him (1 Cor. 6:17).

I am a member of Christ’s Body (1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 5:30) and have His divine power for life and godliness (2Peter 1:3).

I am a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) and reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:18; Rom. 5:10).

I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19) to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.

I am a child of God and one in Christ (Gal. 3:26-28).

I am an heir of God since I am a child of God (Gal. 4:6-7).

I am a saint (Eph. 1:1, 1 Cor. 1:2; Phil.1:1; Col. 1:2).

I am God’s workmanship, His handiwork born anew in Christ to do His work (Eph. 2:10).

I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s family (Eph. 2:19).

I am a prisoner of Christ (Eph. 3:1; 4:1).

I am righteous and holy (Eph. 4:24).

I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:6).

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).

I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life (Col. 3:4).

I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4).

I am a child of light and not of darkness (1 Thes. 5:5).

I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1).

I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life (Heb. 3:14) and divine nature (2Peter 1:4).

I am one of God’s living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (1Pet. 2:5).

I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession (1 Peter 2:9,10)

I am an alien and a stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (1 Pet. 2:11).

I am an enemy of the devil (1 Pet. 5:8) and can stand firm against his schemes (Eph. 6:11).

I am a child of God, and I will resemble Christ when He returns (1 John 5:18).

Conlusion

Your self-image reflects your mental health. I encourage you to read the above list over the next month to imprint your heart and mind with these truths. Ask God to show you the lies you believe, then put them out of your mind and heart as you put in the above truths. If you need to talk to someone, I am available to talk to you. Contact me through my email.

You can read my other Mental Health posts here.

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My latest book, Unlocking God’s Promises, explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts.

EXCHANGE OPPRESSIVE LIES FOR FREEDOM

Do you have thoughts that come to your mind, which remind you of a painful memory, either something you did or said, or something someone else did or said to you? Embarrassing or painful memories recreate oppressive feelings of shame or guilt. You may have been humiliated or neglected, which causes you to feel and believe the lie that you are rejected and unworthy. Whether you realize it or not, painful memories affect who you really are and your destiny. They create unhealthy beliefs about yourself, others, and God that also shape your identity.

The girls in my County Jail Bible Study all have horrible trauma memories that shaped how they see themselves, the world, and God. One girl could not love herself and felt unworthy of being loved. When I asked her about her family, she recalled being left at her grandmother’s house while her parents and other siblings went on vacations or to parks. These actions by her parents reinforced that she was not wanted, and she was not worthy to be loved, but she had very good memories of her grandmother’s love. The painful memories oppressed her greatly and affected how she saw herself and others.

Another girl’s father made her do drugs at ten years old and sell them for him. One can only imagine the other trauma events in her life. Now her father has her daughter while she is in jail, and she says he is still doing drugs. She is very oppressed, knowing what her father did to her, and is now doing to her daughter. She desperately wants to be free from the oppression of being addicted to drugs and the oppression of the painful memories that torment her soul. The other girl’s trauma is too hard to write about, but it has changed her identity, which has changed her destiny. All the girls suffer from the oppression of depression. Jesus came to set them free. There is hope, and I will share it in this post.

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” – Luke 4:18

In my previous post, I outlined the six ways to achieve victory. To become free from the oppression of painful thoughts, you first must put off pride, submit to God, claim His promises, and then resist the devil’s lies by specifically putting them out of your mind. James 4:6-8 says, “But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ⁷Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

To be free from the oppressive curses the devil, yourself, or others put on you, you must now put off these lies/wrong beliefs and replace them with the truth of God’s word. You can only do this if you are right with God through believing in the death, resurrection, and deity of Jesus Christ and receiving His forgiveness for your sins. If you have not done this, please do it now so you can experience freedom and victory.

Your words have the power to create new thoughts and new responses. As you read the following curses, recall the memory of when that curse was put on you. Read my online book to heal the oppressive trauma memories that control your thoughts and emotions to be totally free. If you feel you have any of these curses, pray to put them off and then put on the right belief and truth, in Jesus’ name.

“I am a victim.”
Instead, say, “I am victorious in Christ Jesus.” Put on the truth: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:37-39.

“I am worthless.”
Instead, say, “I am worthy because I can live a righteous life through Jesus, and He loves and accepts me.” Put on the truth: So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. ¹²Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. ¹³Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. ¹⁴For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. –Romans 6:11-14.

“I am permanently damaged.”
Instead, say, “Jesus is restoring me, and I am renewing my mind.” Put on the truth: … the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. –1Peter 5:10. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. –2Corinthians 4:16. To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. –Ephesians 4:22-24.

“I am guilty and can’t forgive myself.”
Instead, say, “I am forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness.” Put on the truth: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. –1John 1:9.

“I am a rebel and want to disobey.”
Instead, say, “I am victorious over my desire to rebel because I am renewed.” Put on the truth: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. –1Cor. 15:57-58.

“I am tempted and can’t overcome.”
Instead, say, “I submit my mind to God and do what is good and right, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13).” Put on the truth: For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he [Jesus] is able to help those who are being tempted. – Hebrews 2:18. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? –Romans 8:34-35. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. –1Corinthians 10:13.

“I am an alcoholic.”
Instead, say, “I am set free from the control alcohol has over me.” Put on the truth: For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. –Galatians 5:1. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. –John 8:36.

“I am an addict.”
Instead, say, “I live for Christ Jesus by faith, not for anything else.” Put on the truth: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. –Galatians 2:20.

“I am a liar.”
Instead, say, “I have put on my new self and put away the bad habit of lying.” Put on the truth: Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. – Colossians 3:9-10.

“I am an angry person.”
Instead, say, “I can live in peace with those who disappoint me.” Put on the truth: Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. – Hebrews 12:14. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. – Ephesians 4:26-27. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. – James 1:19-20.

“I am a failure.”
Instead, say, “I am not a failure because Jesus is my helper, and He helps me overcome my obstacles.” Put on the truth: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.— 1Peter 5:6-7. And “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33.

“I am afraid and anxious.”
Instead, say, “I know that God is with me and will help me and strengthen me.” Put on the truth: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew. 6:33.

“I am alone and unwanted.”
Instead, say, “I thank the Lord that I can trust his promise to never leave me.” Put on the truth: It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8.

“I am bad and unlovable.”
Instead, say, “I am righteous and loved by God.” Put on the truth: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. –John 15:9. So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. –Ephesians 3:17-19. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. –2Corinthians 5:21.

“I am hopeless.”
Instead, say, “My hope is in God and I trust that He keeps His promises.” Put on the truth: For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ⁵Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? –1John 5:4-5. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. – Romans 8:24-25.

“I am stupid.”
Instead, say, “I have the mind of Christ, and I can make wise decisions.” Put on the truth: For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. –1 Corinthians 2:16. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. –Proverbs 2:6.

“I should not have been born. I am better off dead.”
Instead, say, “God gives my life purpose.” Put on the truth: Psalm 139:14-18 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. ¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. ¹⁷How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! ¹⁸If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Conclusion

You will need to heal the memory that created the curse you believe about yourself to remove the foothold for Satan to oppress you. You may have to put off the curse several times and put on the right belief and truth to permanently erase the oppressive curse and be completely free of it. Satan does not give in easily, so continue to submit your mind to God and resist the devil by applying God’s truth to your heart. God’s word promises that the devil will flee from you. You can hurry him along by commanding him to leave you alone in Jesus’ name. Sometimes we give the devil the right to oppress us because of our sin and painful memories, so those need to be removed to experience freedom from the devil’s oppressive lies. Remember to put on the armor of God every day by reading Ephesians 6:10-18.

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My latest book is Unlocking God’s Promises, which explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts.