I love the playbook Lucille “Big Mama” Allen left for us. As a survivor of the Jim Crow era and many other barriers in her community, Big Mama knew exactly how the forces of the enemy are determined to get in our heads to make us feel helpless,overwhelmed, and incapable of making a difference. She had me ask myself on many occasions this very question: Are your thoughts holding you captive?
Big Mama shared trials and tribulation stories of her and others life-changing events. Big Mama told me if I failed to achieve anything it is because the devil won over your dreams and hijacked my success. What did I learn from her is: “It starts in your head.”
But she reminded me that if the devil can get in your head to make you think things like,” I’ll never be good enough. Other people have better lives than I do. God couldn’t really love me,” the truth can take it back. Big Mama said from there, the possibilities are endless for the truth to win over and take control of your thoughts!
She reminded me that God will allow us to win over bad information and bad thoughts. Her message was. “God protects us not only in the physical world that we can see, but also in the spiritual space against forces we can’t see.” She reminded me with biblical scripture.
She said in the Bible it says, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
We are now in a climate of disinformation. Disinformation is not just affecting politics at the national level. It is damaging our public trust in our medical experts and institutions.
The 2020 election was not stolen, yet disinformation continues over it is still prevalent, and the man who started the Big Lie is still stirring up the pot to get supporters to believe lies. At the same time they are losing their lives to myths, conspiracies and erroneous data.
Big Mama would say the devil has got in too many heads. It is almost like a spiritual battle is raging around our relationships as the “devil” attempts to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10) Some people would love to keep the drama going, but the truth will prevail.
What I learned from Big Mama is these two lessons: (1) disinformation rapidly spreads across the information channels as the public leaders promote it, and (2) media coverage and social media content moderation can influence how disinformation is squashed and destroyed.
So Big Mama, the devil will not be in my head.
Can you join me in the wave to end disinformation?
Email me at terryallenpr@gmail.com next week my column will be dedicated to “Say My Name” and the Superb Women in the community.
Terry Allen is an award-winning media professional, journalist, and entrepreneur. He is also the founder of City Men Cook and 1016 Media. Reach him at terryalllenpr@gmail.com
