So, why have I focused so much lately on giving up control, taking time to listen to the Holy Spirit and opening up our hearts to be led by that Spirit? Because, most of us don’t. I still struggle with reacting before praying. Instead of taking a minute to pray before acting, I want to take charge. Why do I do that? Mainly because that is my mode of operation and that mode is not of God, but it’s the result of many strongholds in my life, that I never knew I had until recently. Strongholds become a wall that block us from becoming all God wants us to be. We get so accustomed to them, that they become our norm. That “norm” rarely lines up with God’s Word, but somehow, we try to make those strongholds fit with Christ. In fact, God wants to BE our stronghold, not separated from us, because we built our OWN strongholds.
Psalm 9:9 (NIV)
9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
So, What… for This Week?
If you are willing to take some time and be silent and listen to the Holy Spirit, God will show you what YOUR strongholds are. Strongholds in your life are developed from events, or trauma that cause you to build up walls to protect yourself. Those walls of protection soon become bondage and bars that keep you locked in. If you think you don’t have any strongholds, I’d start with praying about PRIDE. Most people have fear issues that include abandonment, rejection and fear of failure. When you pray for the Holy Spirit to illuminate the events that caused those fears, you can start working through a process to pray for Jesus to remove them! Ready to get FREE?