Me, Myself, and I: Winning the War Within

By LaVerne Farmer

Spiritual Mindfulness: Embracing God's Word, A Devotional Journey to Transform Your Thoughts and Relationships" is a heartfelt devotional designed to lead readers on a transformative path of self-discovery and spiritual growth. With a gentle and maternal touch, the author, drawing from her seasoned perspective as a woman of faith with 40 years of marriage, guides readers through the profound wisdom of the Bible.
A 3- part organized devotional of enriching sections–Me, Myself, and I–each addressing specific aspects of the reader's journeys of processes through past guilt, self-doubt and overthinking; paralyses through over-analysis. The author employs relatable colloquialisms to connect with the reader's everyday experiences, acknowledging the actual struggle of battling negative internal thoughts.
In the 'Me' section, readers are encouraged to embark on a journey of self-awareness. This part of the devotional empowers individuals to explore their own thoughts and feelings, providing guidance on aligning them with God's divine plan. The author's comforting and detailed insights offer a roadmap for breaking free from the shackles of negativity.
Moving into the 'Myself' section, the devotional delves deeper into the internal obstacles individuals face. We address the challenges head-on with the empowering light of scripture, providing a source of strength and guidance. This section aims to help readers navigate their inner struggles with a focus on self-compassion and scriptural reflection.
The last section, 'I,' celebrates the reader's triumphant emergence of negativity. Armed with scriptural tools gained through the devotional journey, we encouraged individuals to sustain a joyous and fulfilled life. The overarching goal is not only to enhance personal and professional relationships, but also to foster a more profound and meaningful daily connection with the Heavenly Father.
Throughout the devotional, the author's maternal perspective and understanding of the challenges faced in navigating thoughts and emotions shine through. The combination of comforting insights, relatable language, and scriptural wisdom creates a guide that resonates with readers on their unique spiritual journey.
This book intends to aid readers in acknowledging their role in decision making by illustrating the prevalence of these habits. It stresses that the hardest part of adopting healthier habits is the time and repletion required to undo and relearn.
rephase: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: Applying the Word of God
….. but what does that really look like?
Our day-to-day lives are well-acquainted with actions, reactions, consequences, and repercussions. We gain wisdom from reflecting on our past, but as born-again believers, we struggle to break the cycle of making poor decisions. We've become more involved in religious practices and adjusted to the church culture, but our behavior remained unchanged. Here's where we miss it. We can find the missing piece in Galatians 5:16: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Emphasize the spiritual. Develop a spirit-led mindfulness, a spiritual practice to maintain awareness, paying deliberate attention to the influence of God in the present moment.
I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1, 2
This spiritual mind renewal transforms us beyond our limited ability and transports us as citizens under the kingship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His kingdom endows us with privileges that supersede the limitation of facts, data, and information. Physical evidence must surrender to God as the ultimate authority. We are given the right to walk in victory, power, and authority.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798350941418

Book preview

PREFACE

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:

for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Romans 8:7

As a child, I was taught about sin, temptation, holiness, and becoming born again. Decades later, I realized there was a disconnect between my human nature and the transformative power of the Holy Ghost. I can remember growing up singing with great enthusiasm, Things I used to do, I don’t do no more, and mostly, that was true. But as a young adult, I went through a phase of doing things I had never done before. Enticed with curiosity, this church girl began disco dancing at clubs, experimenting with alcohol, and dating non-believers. The seduction soon revealed to be over-rated; no matter how I tried to do my thing, on Sunday morning I needed to go to church. I felt condemned for my actions and knew my only option was to seek God and repent.

As I’ve matured in Christ, I’d experienced more challenging character transformations. I frequently grappled with the question of why I had to be the one who needed to change instead of others. In 2008, The Holy Ghost influenced me to reread the book of Romans and to commit to memory the 8th chapter. Upon memorizing the 7th verse, I experienced a profound, life-altering moment. The burden was removed, and the weight lifted. Now I could identify the victim and the villain; they were one and the same, ME! Sometimes my spirit man won battles and times when the natural man proclaimed victor! Inconsistency left me in a constant combat of war; ebbs and flow, wins and losses. I was the target of self-created trade winds; tossed to and fro, intoxicated by the wins and devastated by the losses. As I’ve grown, I’ve learned things work out better when trusting God. I want everyone to know God never loses, and the plan He has for our lives is to win! We are granted the privilege of breaking free from the relentless vicious cycles of self-defeatism and living in the winner’s circle.

Writing this book, I hope to share the grace of God that helps identify foremost The War Within. It’s daunting to comprehend that our human nature is diametrically opposed to doing the will of God. The power of the Holy Ghost equips us to subdue tunnel vision and the limited scope of our emotional wants and desires. This faith experience is an interactive excursion to see our lives through the Word of God. The outcomes are a pre-planned win; the journey is costly but the end results are priceless!

At the end of each chapter, there is an arsenal of devotional scripture references that daily inspired and enhance Bible meditation. These are scriptures that strengthened and helped me to focus on my faith. Visit our website, www.motherhoodevangelisms.org, and join our email list to become a subscriber. You will receive the Me, Myself and I Winning the War Within Journal and gain exclusive access to in-depth study and live streaming podcasts. These resources explain why these specific scriptures are used to target fears and focus on faith. Remember, no matter what it looks like, we are winners; we are winning and We Win! Celebrate the win!

INTRODUCTION

All’s fair In Love and War connoting nothing is too extreme when going after love or making war with adversaries. Such dangerous philosophy is the trappings of desperately ill-advised self-motivations. All’s fair is a far too encompassing justification for extreme behavior. As believers, we must remain cognizant of the scripture that teaches us:

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:

but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Proverbs 28:26 KJV.

Our culture capitalizes on exploiting attraction, competition, and opposing opinions. It turns wants and fears into false romances and imaginary enemies. Every attraction is not a potential love interest. Conversely, every contrasting view does not an enemy make. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:9;

the heart is deceitful above all things, and

desperately wicked: who can know it?

As Christians, we have the ultimate forecasting indicators and quantified analysis through the Word of God. Obeying God leads to receiving God’s promises. Knowing that our flesh is the stimulus behind our battles of misconceptions is a mandate for the champion of the war within. The Word of God gives us strategies for using telescopic accuracy for differentiating the external from the internal.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit

of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he

know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,

abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

1 Peter 2:11

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit

against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the

other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Galatians 5:17

As willing participants, the Holy Spirit equips us to win—not by our own intellect or ability, but by grace and power of God.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 4:6b

Our readiness to accept the Word of God as a guide is the start of gaining personal spiritual ground at one battle at a time. God is our navigator. He knows our strengths and weaknesses, when to move forward, and when to stand still.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,

thou understandest my thought afar off.

Psalms 139:2

He created us and God is familiar with everything about us, even the very decisions we will make before we make them. He plot outs our every journey predicated upon the very anointing that He has placed upon our lives. We are not to allow ourselves to be captured by our thought bullies. Fight back, because regardless of the attacks, our faults and failures, through Christ, we win!

ME

ONE

WINNING THE WAR WITHIN

WHO ME?

How in the world am I supposed to examine myself and identify how complicit I am with my self-sabotaging alter-ego? There! I said it! Wow! That’s a mouth full, but now what? How do you deal with the daily struggle of sensory overload? Aromas evoke memories of previous cravings, appetites contending to serve as instant solace. There is a deluge of sights, sounds, and songs endeavoring to shroud the teachings of God, alluring me back into the traps of familiar worries and doubts. Why should I have to assume complete accountability for my issues when it’s far simpler to shift the blame onto those around me? It could never be just me. Or is it? I’ve frequently heard remarks such as, It takes two to argue, and You can’t fight alone. Nonsense. Some of the most damaging conflicts I’ve experienced were the ones where I was the sole participant—just me, myself, and I! The struggle is real!

To be reflective without falling victim to debilitating regret requires a supernatural mind set. Yes, you are responsible for the choices you make, but as a born-again believer, you can be confident that you are not alone on this spiritual journey. It is paramount that we understand that this human existence is to be directly guided by the Holy Ghost. Our moods, moves and decision making requires constant connection to our spiritual navigation system in the Word of God.

Jesus tells us:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am

the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the

same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:4-6

The constant challenge for believers

is to transform the Bible’s teachings

from mere head knowledge to a deeply

ingrained part of our daily practices.

The constant challenge for believers is to transform the Bible’s teachings from mere head knowledge to a deeply ingrained part of our daily practices. We must expect the discomfort and dethroning of our natural man as par for the course; as spiritual growing pains for maturation through the word of God. This will be quite painful! Disregarding your emotions and refusing to yield to physical fact will definitely leave a mark, a bruise, a cut, or sometimes all the above. Take solace from the truth that your flesh is throwing a tantrum. It wants to be accommodated and the center of your attention pacified and made to feel better.

There will be instances when you can’t quite pinpoint the reason behind your heightened irritability. A former letdown can be insidiously lurking, thwarting gratitude, striving to apprehend your bliss. Take courage. There is a word from the Lord for that! God is always speaking. Pause for a moment, read your Bible, rehearse a memory verse, pray it, sing and shout it over and over and over! Don’t stop! The Word of God is not a magic wand, but it is a sword! It will cut through and remove the innermost deep-rooted trauma bondage.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:10

Continue to surrender your will to God and exalt His Word. The Holy Spirit will provide peace and resilience during moments of vexation and vulnerability.

God’s Word can diagnose and heal your situation. We cannot expect to lead peaceful and productive lives outside of the direction of the Holy Ghost. Each one of us have purpose—a plan that God has predetermined for our lives. We must be intentional. By meditating on God’s Word, we transform and overcome negative thoughts through the Holy Spirit. This form of training emulates a process of unlearning and relearning. Overcoming the teachings ingrained in us throughout our lifetime is a formidable task. Our lives are woven together by innumerable systematic programming, cemented in pleasure and reward preferences. As young children, we begin a journey of life hacks; How to achieve the wants and avoid the dislikes?

I was technically the third child of four siblings, born a minute after my twin sister, sandwiched between an older and younger brother. I was born a month early in 1959, and had to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit and received several blood transfusions. Not expected to live, I made it home and was labeled the quiet, always staring twin. Psychology has shown that medical procedures can have an influence on a child’s behavior and personality. All I know is out of the two of us, I was the least daring, the most cautious, and I hated getting into trouble.

Growing up with my sister LaVette was like having a perpetual sleep over with your best friend. We lived in our own world, with our own language. Except for a couple of pounds and an inch and a half or so, we were physically identical to the T. We weren’t perfect little angels. We both vividly remember my sister getting a spanking that was meant for me. The most distinguishing part of our identity was our personalities. My sister was full of personality. Since a little girl, she could dance and, mostly, was the leader in our dynamic duo. I will never forget the earliest memory of my personal conflict with our personality differences. Music was playing, and our parents were enjoying a get together with some friends. My dad woke up my sister. I followed as he took her by the hand and told her to show them how well she could dance. My response was, Look daddy, I can dance too! Well, not so much.

This was such a confusing moment for me. Here was someone I had always shared the spotlight with, now out shining me like a lighthouse. At 4, I did not know how to process what I was feeling. I adored my sister, but that jealousy monster swung at me and landed a hard punch! Thank God, our love bond won the fight. I did not want the way I felt about her to change. We were both sent back to bed, and sleeping next to my best friend felt the same. As long as we were besties, I was good.

Our personalities continued to grow differently. My sister got her attention from being the extrovert. I got my attention from being the introvert. LaVette was spontaneous, she never met strangers and when she entered, she would light up a room. I watched her interactions with others and she became my personal friend maker. I would try to follow many of her leads that received a reward of affirmation and avoided her mistakes like a plague. I hated spankings, and I learned how to get the approval of my parents by being Miss Goody two shoes.

It took me decades, literally, a half a century, to realize that I had become extremely performative and secretly self-righteous. Finding such success in this behavior made me very opinionated and self-willed. This was heartbreaking for me to learn and even more difficult to unlearn. Thank God for the all things are possible transformative power of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will shatter that ego and send those self-righteousness and man-pleasing ways packing! Praise God for not leaving us empty. He repairs, replaces, and regenerates our lives with His healing will.

Taking heed of God’s instruction equips us to acknowledge our personality strengths and weaknesses. The Holy Spirit will change your playlist from the endless playground finger pointing chant; Who me, yes you, couldn’t be, then who? to It’s me, it’s me, it’s me O Lord, standing in the need of prayer! Contrary to widespread belief, acknowledging one’s mistakes is not catastrophic; instead, it’s a pivotal aspect of God’s journey to reshape our hearts, transitioning them from the patterns of this world to the principles of His kingdom.

ARSENAL * AMMUNITION * WEAPONRY

PSALMS 51:1-17

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-5

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

Finally, brethren, things are true, things are honest, things are just, things are pure, things are lovely, things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

HEBREWS 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

MATTHEW 11:28–30

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

ACTS 17:28

For in him we live, and move, and have our being;

2 PETER 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God, You are my thought leader

God, You and Your Word are one

Your Word is powerful

I surrender my (imaginations) rational

I am in you

I can come to you for help

You have everything I need

TWO

#METOO!

It is virtually impossible to turn on the news and not hear about sexual allegations and misconduct involving celebrities or the influential. The #MeToo movement emboldens survivors to express their distressing accounts of molestation. On the one hand, the phrase No means No serves as a central theme in mandated counseling, discussions on sexuality, and education about sexual abuse. However, our society plays a role in the widespread presence of what is often termed soft porn across printed materials, advertisements, television, and films. To exacerbate the situation, we openly condemn men who harass women while frequently scrutinizing the decisions made by the victims. One thing is for sure—no one under any circumstances deserves to be abused mentally, physically, financially, or sexually. Nor should anyone be ignored, falsely accused, or called a liar when they are telling the truth. Each sexual harassment case warrants individual scrutiny and prosecution commensurate with its merits.

If we took a vote, we would be hard pressed to find women who haven’t been imperiled to some form of sexual harassment and/or abuse. Despite being hushed, our children, adolescents, and grown men have been victimized by various forms of sexual predation. Whether it’s a babysitter, family member, friend, employer, or stranger, all are categorized as predators targeting victims.

The Bible makes us aware to,

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a

roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

1 Peter 5:8

Though the devil brings forth this evil, we can mitigate the suffering with an antidote. Young people, especially naïve individuals, must maintain relentless communication with the Holy Ghost. He must be absolutely involved in our decision making. Down to the smallest detail of our daily activities, maintain a posture of listening for and obeying His voice.

Each sexual harassment case warrants

individual scrutiny and prosecution

commensurate with its merits.

I, unfortunately, like a host of other church girls, found myself a victim of date rape. I was in my early twenties, thinking I’m headed to a neighborhood sports center for some free tennis lessons. Boy, was I naïve. The man indicated he had to stop by his house to pick something up. All the way there, he was trying to impress me with the money he had, the house and several vehicles he owned. I surprised him when I told him I wasn’t impressed with the material things of other people. We arrived at his home; it was winter, he said he had to make