Oftentimes a person’s biggest struggle is not physical but mental.

During mental struggles, occasionally the question arises, “why am I here, God?”

When there is the weight of “why am I here, God?” It is extremely easy to tune out God’s answer…..“Will you let Me use you?”

Sometimes we wish God would just give answers instead of questions or better yet remove the problem. But have you ever thought God is helping you to think higher.

God’s thoughts are superior to ours (Isaiah 55:8). Believing our thoughts above God’s thought surrenders our mindset to our flesh and emotions rather to the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:5). Fixing our eyes on Jesus sets us free (Colossians 3:2). But this is very difficult to do when our thoughts deceive us (Jeremiah 17:9).

When life overwhelms us, our own thoughts can defeat us, tempting us to abandon hope and faith, causing us to wander into the wilderness of negative mindsets rather than trusting and resting in God’s Word and promises.

Elijah one of the greatest prophets during a turbulent time in Israel’s history, was in conflict with King Ahab and Jezebel. The nation had turned away from the Lord to worship Baal. Elijah was sent to show Israel their evil ways and to encourage them to return to the Lord.

God used Elijah to change the evil mindset of the nation of Israel, but Elijah’s mindset became invaded by the enemy when Jezebel threatened him. When the threats became personal, terror and panic gripped Elijah’s’ mind causing him to flee for his life.

Elijah’s’ changed {negative} mindset led him into the wilderness—physically and mentally. Elijah witnessed God bring down fire from heaven against the prophets of Baal and their false gods (1 Kings 18:19-40), yet he allowed his mindset to shift from bold faith to debilitating fear causing him to doubt God.

As I read the story of Elijah, it reminded me that the mental warfare tactics of the enemy are not new. The enemy inundates our minds with hopelessness, doubt, fear, confusion, and emotional turmoil.

While Elijah was in the cave wrestling with his negative mindset, God not only reminded Elijah that He was with him, but God also challenged Elijah by asking a question to reset his mind. Twice God asked: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9;13)

Elijah’s answer seemed reasonable. He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” (1 Kings 19:10;14). In other words, Elijah was telling God he fled to the cave due to the circumstances and fear.

But Elijah misunderstood God’s question. God knew where Elijah was, as He knows where we are. The question was not referring to how Elijah or we got into the mess, but about helping us to think of His purpose while in that place of mess.

When life overwhelms us, God wants us to think higher than our own thoughts. Even when we allow fear to grip us God still has a plan.

Although Elijah experienced a negative mindset, God was not finished with him. God gives Elijah work to do (1 Kings 19:15-18). God used Elijah mightily to mentor Elisha, who would eventually take his place as prophet (1 Kings 19:19-21).

God’s plans for our lives and His grace to get us there are greater than the limits we have in our minds.

Has God asked you, “will you let Me use you?” What were your thoughts? Did your mind immediately go to life’s overwhelming circumstances?

God wants to walk with us in the middle of places we wish we could escape and invites us to go on a mission with Him. When you surrender to God’s plan amid your suffering, you will suddenly begin to experience unexplainable joy. You will realize the suffering was not in vain but was allowed for His glory and the benefit of someone else.

If you struggle with the question: “why am I here?” It is important to remember why something happened is not as important as God’s purpose.

Negative thoughts will come. However, we do not have to stay trapped in negative thoughts.

Negative thoughts can be rooted out by adopting God’s thoughts as our own. By being transformed by the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:6-16).

Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to choose Your thoughts over my thoughts especially when life becomes overwhelming. Give me the mindset to recognize and root out any negativity. I pray for grace as I seek to trust You to use me in the midst of my struggles. Give me wisdom to trust Your plan even if I do not understand. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PEARLStoPONDER: A negative mindset is not the end of your story…. just be willing to allow God to use you.

Romans 12:2-- Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Colossians 3:2--Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Ephesians 4:22-24--to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, ²³ and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

2 Timothy 1:7—for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.