Who Is Your Christ in a Crisis? Healing Reflection on 2 Corinthians 10
A Catholic Reflection on 2 Corinthians 10:3–8
For survivors of narcissistic abuse learning to renew the mind in Christ
3 For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war,
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have Divine Power to destroy strongholds.
5 We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
7 Look at what is before your eyes. If any one is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that as he is Christ’s, so are we.
8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I shall not be put to shame.
You Don’t Win the Battle with the Narcissist by Outthinking Them. You Win by Changing Masters.
Narcissistic abuse doesn’t just wound your heart, it hijacks your thoughts. It convinces you that you’re worthless unless you serve, prove, perform, or please. And once those thoughts take root, the war moves from the outside to the inside. You begin to attack yourself.
St. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10 that we are in a war, but it’s not the kind of war the world fights. It’s not about power plays, manipulation, or control. The true battle is spiritual and it takes place in the mind.
The Narcissist Wants to Be Your God
When you’ve been trained by fear, chaos, and emotional manipulation, it’s easy to keep looking for someone to “save” you, even if they’re just another version of the one who hurt you.
You might:
Idolize someone else’s wisdom or approval
Submit to the wrong authority out of woundedness
Give someone spiritual control over your conscience
Believe that someone else can define your worth, your identity, or your direction
But no person, no priest, no spouse, no leader, no authoritative figure can take the place of Jesus Christ.
We were made to follow HIM ALONE and all other voices must come second to His.
Wounds, and False Authority
We are beautifully designed with a capacity for trust, surrender, and receptivity. But when that trust is shattered through abuse, we may start surrendering to the wrong people and calling it love, obedience, or humility.
This is how many of us idolized the narcissist.
The Lord is now calling you back to holy obedience. Not to man, but to Him.
To take every thought that says “I’m not enough”, or “I need them to tell me what to do”, and say:
“No. I belong to Christ. He alone is my authority.”
Are You Addicted to Knowledge or Addicted to Jesus?
In the wake of trauma, many survivors try to reclaim power by learning. We study narcissism, CPTSD, attachment theory, psychology, boundaries, communication… all good things.
But knowledge becomes a false god when we think more insight will finally make us feel safe.
There is a point where knowledge ends and surrender begins.
We don’t need more content.
We need the mind of Christ.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
Who Is Your Christ in a Crisis?
In a crisis, who do you run to?
The narcissist?
A new “savior” figure?
Your own understanding?
Google?
Or Jesus?
“If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that as he is Christ’s, so are we.” (2 Corinthians 10:7)
Christ is with you, not just with the person who seems more spiritual, more in control, more “together.”
You don’t have to submit to anyone’s domination. You are Christ’s.
Reflection Questions
🧠 What thoughts run through your mind on repeat that you know are not from God?
💭 Have you been idolizing a person or idea hoping it will give you peace, direction, or identity?
🔄 Where are you trying to “win” a battle using worldly tools, when Jesus offers spiritual ones?
🙏 What would it mean for you to take your thoughts captive and hand them to Jesus today?
Prayer to Take Back Your Mind
Jesus,
I confess that I’ve believed lies.
I’ve let fear, shame, control, and the words of others become louder than Your voice.
I’ve made idols out of people, ideas, and even my own understanding.
Today, I take those thoughts captive.
I declare: You are my Christ even in my crisis.
Teach me to trust Your authority, not theirs.
Teach me to live by Your truth, not their lies.
I renounce the liar, and I receive the mind of Christ.
In Your holy name, amen.
