Many persons become underachievers not because they do not have the desire to achieve. A lot of setbacks come to people because they have doubts in their hearts. Their minds constantly battle between negative and positive thoughts. Joyce Meyer’s Battlefield of the Mind is a book that help the readers to gain control over their minds; thereafter, find freedom and peace.
Joyce Meyer also assured that her readers would recognize damaging thoughts and stop them from influencing their lives. The 321-page book with 25 chapters espoused ways readers can arm themselves with the word of God, praise, prayer, and other powerful spiritual weapons.
Battlefield of the Mind is split into three parts. Part I talks about the 'Importance of the Mind’. This section of the book is broken down into seven chapters with focus on the benefits of using your mind positively.
In Chapter one, Meyer said, ‘’the mind is a battlefield.’’ The devil is blamed for the thoughts of nagging, suspicions, doubts, fears, wonderings, reasoning, and theories. He uses our insecurities, weaknesses, and fears against us. Often, he knows what bothers us and finds ways to bring us down with it.
However, we must guard our mind and see it as a battlefield. Also, we must embark on constant reading of the word and praying in order to prevent the devil from ruling our heart.
Chapter two talk about the necessity of our mind. We must be cautious how we think. We must endeavor to always think the right thoughts putting the word of God into consideration.
The next chapter of the book encouraged its readers not to give up no matter how bad their lives may seem. Galatians 6:9 was the core scripture in this chapter. ‘’And let us not lose heart and grow weary and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap. If we do not looses and relax our courage and faint.’’
Chapter four admits to the fact that it will take a process for our minds to be renewed. It does not always come easy. When your mind brings you into condemning yourself, bring it into subjection. Anyone who is in Christ has been liberated from condemnation. Talk to your mind and develop positive thoughts constantly.
A positive mind will guarantee you a positive life. This was the centre of chapter five. Negative thoughts are bound to come if we do not take charge of our mind. At one point or the other, doubts and fear will definitely set in. However, if we remain positive, we will overcome.
Chapter six and seven talked about working on your mind and being careful of your thoughts. If you dwell your hearts on negative thoughts, your life will be negative. However, if you build your life around positive thoughts, you will live in all round positivity.
Part II of ‘The Battlefield of the Mind’’ has eight chapters with focus on the conditions of the mind. It is a continuation of the first part. In chapter eight, Joyce Meyer asked, ‘’when is my mind normal?’’ She gave instances how to discern a normal and abnormal mind.
Chapter nine to eleven talked about the wandering and wondering mind; confused mind; doubtful and unbelieving mind. We have the power to discipline our thoughts. Doubt is a choice and faith is also a choice.
Chapter twelve talked about the anxious and worried mind. It is normal to be worried. However, we must learn to live above worries and cast our cares upon God. A judgmental, critical, and suspicious mind was the main focus for chapter thirteen. Chapter fourteen and fifteen laid emphasis on the passive mind and the mind of Christ.
Wilderness Mentalities is the basis for Part III of ‘The Battlefield of the Mind’’. In chapter sixteen, the first wilderness mentality centered on the false believe some persons hold on to. According to some persons, their past and present determines their future. This is a wilderness mentality that needs to be quashed. The second wilderness mentality in chapter seventeen says, ‘’someone do it for me; I don’t want to take the responsibility.’’
In chapter eighteen, the third wilderness mentality laid emphasis on people who want things to always be easy because they believe they cannot handle difficult situations. ‘’I can’t help it; I’m just addicted to grumbling , faultfinding, and complaining.’’ These are the thoughts of people in the fourth mentality in Chapter nineteen.
In chapter twenty, the fifth wilderness mentality focused on people who feel they deserve everything even without working for them. There are people who do not mind their bad behaviors. They blame it on others. This was what the next wilderness mentality in Chapter twenty one was talking about.
Chapter twenty two to twenty four talked about people who feel their life is miserable and they do not deserve the good things of life. These wilderness mentalities are so wrong. Joyce Meyer proffered solutions to these wrong believes.
The last chapter talked about the disobedience of man and the decision to always do things stubbornly without caring for the opinions of others. This is a wilderness mentality that needs to be tackled.
Battlefield of the Mind is one book every believer with struggling thoughts needs to read.
About the Author
Joyce Meyer is an American preacher, author, and speaker. She is the president of Joyce Meyer Ministries. She was born on June 4, 1943. She is married to David Meyer and they are blessed with four children. Besides Battlefield of the Mind, Meyer is the author of a good number of Christian books including 'Your battle is for God to fight' and 'Unshakeable Trust'.
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