Blueprint for Battle: Winning the War with Mental and Emotional Health

It isn’t a coincidence that many of the challenges that we face concerning our mental and emotional health seem to disable us and halt our effectiveness in life. The enemy we face isn’t only one that seeks to kill, steal, and destroy in the natural sense. He also contends against our souls, in the inner person where everything that we see outside of us plays out from the inside. When we feel battered by life’s challenges, including the trauma of a troubled past, it can disarm and make us feel as if we cannot win.

Although this is what our adversary desires, it isn’t the full picture. He may have orchestrated specific challenges, intending to annihilate our faith and strength. We see and experience it as challenges surface in one area and yet another, making us feel that we are surrounded and must succumb to the pressures of life. But that isn’t the end of the story.

God repurposes those same difficulties, as places for us to encounter wisdom and compassion. Though it may not appear so, He has predetermined your triumph that affirms who we are in Him and reveals His glory in foreboding circumstances (1 Corinthians 15:57).

We can take hope and strength from the Bible. God’s Word arms us with spiritual authority and practical steps to support us in battles that we encounter from the inside out. We need to remember that we have not been given a spirit of fear.

The Lord has given us power, love, and a sound mind, and our mental and emotional health does not have to unravel in the face of trouble (2 Timothy 1:7). Although He has equipped us with a spiritual arsenal to stand against our enemy, the battle we are called into isn’t ours at all. It’s the Lord’s.

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’” – 2 Chronicles 20:15, NIV

One particular story depicts God’s people surrounded by enemies, leaving them perplexed about what to do next. They didn’t allow uncertainty to keep them from talking with God about the obvious. He knew it, but this trouble prompted them to acknowledge that their only hope was in Him. As they riveted their eyes on Him, He directed and rerouted their gaze from being distracted by mounting threats.

In modern times, the Lord does the same. We don’t ignore realities rising in our lives, but neither do we take our marching orders from them. Much like the king and army of Judah and Jerusalem in this text, we align ourselves with God’s instruction. It not only anchors us spiritually but also positions us practically, so we can experience the fullness of God’s promise in any situation.

“‘You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” – 2 Chronicles 20:17, NIV

Set Yourself

Inarguably, the storms of life will rage. If we haven’t already encountered one, we can be sure that we will face surges strong enough to uproot the foundation on which we’ve built our lives. However, Jesus admonished us to establish and steady our lives and hearts on Him, as our Rock (Matthew 7:24-27).

When we develop a relationship with God, we are better prepared in storms for the difficulties that life will present. Even as the Lord gave Noah distinct and detailed instructions to forge an ark of safety for the coming flood, the Holy Spirit will guide us into what we need to do practically and spiritually for challenges that we will encounter in life.

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. – Matthew 7:25, ESV

Stand Still

Jesus referenced the differences between the two foundations, that is, one shaky built on sand and the other anchored in the rock. He guaranteed the inevitability of life challenges that will either displace or deepen our ability to stand (John 16:33). The storms don’t pass us by simply because we have trusted Christ as our personal Savior.

Amidst all that encounters every human, we can root firmly in supernatural strength because our hope is in our Redeemer. His peace transforms and enables us to not only withstand but grow stronger in faith through life’s ravaging winds (Isaiah 26:3).

See the Salvation

When we are encountering life storms, it is easy to focus on what appears to cause destruction. It’s real and has an effect on our lives and what matters to us. However, the most challenging circumstances are also opportunities for us to see God’s might and grace at work. That isn’t limited to what we notice outside of us, but it also encompasses the work of the Holy Spirit in full operation in and through us.

His salvation is being demonstrated in our weakness being turned to strength. It is not because we averted the storm, but because we endured it, with Jesus’ strength bound to our frailty (Hebrews 11:34; 2 Corinthians 12:9).

It seems unlikely, but our obedience to the most peculiar divine instructions can generate results beyond our imagination. God works in the hearts and minds of people to orchestrate miracles and arrange the impossible. His angels go and do, based on the Word of God that we pray, study, speak, and activate or obey in our lives (Psalm 103:20).

This is what King Jehoshaphat and company experienced in the story referenced earlier. Applying the truth of God’s Word established an assault against the enemy that advanced to destroy Judah and Jerusalem.

Spoiling the Enemy

Not only did the enemy factions self-destruct and turn on themselves, but God’s people were able to gather the spoils or the riches that were left in the wake of battle. Similarly, God works where we cannot see to cause our enemy’s work to backfire on him. He enlarges the place of unexpected favor and blessing in our own lives.

It isn’t a magic trick, but rather the might and power of God that is revealed when we partner with our loving Father to be who He called and to do what He says. We won’t always understand why He instructs us a certain way, but this is where faith is forged to promote our spiritual, mental, and emotional health, even in darkness and obscurity.

God causes our low places, where we experience deep anguish to also represent great blessings (2 Chronicles 20:26-27). Even in trouble, we can experience transformation. The challenges that presented themselves to destroy us reveal God’s abundance and Jesus’ promise to give that to us (John 10:10).

Wherever we may be in the journey, we can take heart and receive courage, boosting our mental and emotional health with practical and spiritual support and strategies. Like the passages noted here, we too, are facing spiritual enemies that seek to destroy our soul, but the Lord enables us to advance and increase strength with Him (Psalm 84:6-7).

They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. – Psalm 84:7, ESV

Next Steps

You don’t have to succumb to the enemy or his devices. Believe that you have all you need to activate your blueprint for battle. As you navigate the resources on this site, seek out a counselor whose experience and specialty seems to align with your need.

Professionals can provide empathy, a safe space, and strategies to enhance your mental and emotional health. Schedule an appointment today and encounter the support needed for you to win the war with your mental and emotional health.