Brainwashing- Power of Psalm Series

 Brainwashing. You often hear the verb used in sci-fi movies or crazy documentaries on TV focusing on some hair-raising cult. The term itself doesn’t necessarily come along with positive connotations, for, in most cases, “brainwashing” a person only occurs in creepy scenes from straight-to-DVD movies with eery lighting and too many jump scares. 
    This term, though, weird as it may sound, was recently brought up in a conversation I had with my mother. We attended a Christian conference about a year ago. An admired, famous female speaker spoke about the art of combatting the lies of the enemy. She passed out a small booklet full of Bible verses that reminded us of our true identity found in the Lord. She encouraged us to keep the booklets handy and to flip through them often. Along with that, she even recommended reading its contents aloud to ourselves.
     As my mom and I discussed these ideas, she squealed and connected two of the wildest things- Christianity and brainwashing. It may sound crazy, but she had a point. In short, she explained that the enemy wants us to fail. In order to sabotage us, satan takes note of our shortcomings and will do whatever he can to remind us of them. If we, though, as Christians, protect ourselves by BRAINWASHING ourselves with words of hope, peace, joy, and fruits of the spirit, then we are doing what we can to smash the enemy into the ground.
     Let’s flash back to those crazy movies we discussed earlier. How does someone “brainwash” another person? How could one brainwash one’s self? Why is the act usually successful? Brainwashing can be described as radically changing someone’s beliefs by means of repetition and systematic measures. This could describe what you may see in cinematic features or even the repetition of pledges and honor codes. Words contain power, and if you latch onto them often enough, whether their spoken, written, or both, then they’ll develop sacred meanings to you. Ultimately, for the sake of these examples, you’re “brainwashing” yourself into a particular mind set. With that power comes great responsibility. How can you brainwash yourself into a mindset focused God’s truth?
      Thankfully, the Lord has gifted us with positive words neatly bound and printed straight from His heart. You can utilize the Bible while brainwashing yourself (I don’t think that will ever sound normal!). If you cling to a certain passage in the Bible, repeat it to yourself often and meditate on it. You are ultimately brainwashing yourself to align with its message! This could, unfortunately, go in another direction. You could use the same brainwashing method with something of diminishing value, like something non motivating and not from the Word, and see extremely negative effects. Conflicted as to where to begin? I recommend a Psalm. 
      Psalms had different applications as they were written. Some Psalms were sung as praises to the Lord, some were prayers of thanks, and others were cries to God in times of need. Since there is such a variety of Psalms, it’s almost certain that there is at least one you can resonate with. When searching for my personal power Psalm to “brainwash” myself with, I simply prayed and asked God what words He had for me. He answered my prayer immediately. During this time in my life, I was wallowing in the lowest valley I’ve ever experienced. When I asked the Lord what Psalm I needed to consistently cling to, He gave me Psalm 71. In doing so, He gifted me with the exact words He knew I needed. After receiving that Psalm from Him, I read it daily. On the worst of my days, I prayed it aloud and verbatim to Him. On the happiest of my days, I used it as a reminder  God’s grace and the hope I will find in the future He has planned for me. 
     Be open to what the Lord has to say to you. Allow His words to ring true in your life. Even if His truth is difficult to believe or persevere with in the moment, latch onto it. Let Him “brainwash” you with His truth, for it’s the only “true Truth” that exists. Use your Power Psalm as your battle cry against the enemy, your prayer in your darkest hour, and your song of praise during your joyous days. Find peace within His Words, and remember that He spoke them just for you.


Psalm 71 (ESV):
1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
    incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge,
    to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope,
    my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
    you are he who took me from my mother's womb.
    My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been as a portent to many,
    but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
    and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
    forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me;
    those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, “God has forsaken him;
    pursue and seize him,
    for there is none to deliver him.”
12 O God, be not far from me;
    O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
    with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
    who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually
    and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
    of your deeds of salvation all the day,
    for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
    I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,
    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs,
    O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
    your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God,
    reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
    O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
    will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness
    and comfort me again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
    O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy,
    when I sing praises to you;
    my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disappointed
    who sought to do me hurt.

Written By: Grace