Hey there, wonderful sisters of Still The Momma! As we continue our journey together, let’s dive deep into the tangled web of spiritual strongholds – those sneaky barriers that affect every aspect of our lives and hinder our spiritual growth and connection with God. Today, we’re going on a little adventure to unravel what these strongholds are all about and how they mess with us from head to toe.
Building on Lies:
Every stronghold has a foundation built on lies – deep-rooted beliefs that come from past hurts, unresolved issues, and tough times. Let’s take a closer look:
- Fear: It’s like this heavy weight that holds us back, stopping us from moving forward. Fear whispers lies that we’re not good enough or that something terrible will happen if we step out of our comfort zone. It’s a lie that keeps us stuck in our tracks, preventing us from embracing the abundant life God has for us.
- Doubt: Those nagging thoughts that make us question everything, even God’s promises. Doubt tries to distort our perception of God’s character and His intentions towards us, but the truth remains steadfast – God is faithful, and His promises are true.
- Unforgiveness and Addiction: These are like heavy chains that keep us stuck in the past, stopping us from living freely in God’s love. Unforgiveness poisons our hearts and robs us of the peace and freedom that come from extending forgiveness to others. Addiction is built on the lie that temporary pleasures can provide lasting satisfaction, but true fulfillment can only be found in a relationship with God.
Roots of Pain and Suffering:
To understand these strongholds, we gotta dig into where they come from. They usually start with some pretty tough stuff that we’ve been through, like:
- Abuse and Neglect: Those horrible things that happened to us that still hurt deep down and affect how we see ourselves and others.
- Betrayal: When people we trusted let us down, leaving us feeling lost and unworthy.
- Loss: Whether it’s losing someone we love or something important to us, it leaves a scar that can mess with our emotions big time.
Walls and Barriers:
As these roots grow, they build up walls that keep us from seeing things clearly and feeling close to God. These walls show up as:
- False Beliefs: Lies we believe about ourselves and the world that make it hard to see the truth.
- Pressure from Others: The pressure to fit in and meet the expectations of others can lead us to compromise our values and beliefs.
- Baggage from the Past: Stuff we’re still carrying around from way back when, making it tough to find peace and joy.
Struggles in the Mind:
Once these strongholds take hold, they mess with our thoughts and feelings, making it hard to stay positive and connected with God. It’s like:
- Negative Thinking: Those pesky thoughts that pop up and make us doubt ourselves and God.
- Feeling Overwhelmed: When our emotions are all over the place and we can’t seem to find peace.
- Bad Habits: Stuff we do that we know isn’t good for us, but we just can’t seem to stop.
Strongholds as Habits:
In the end, these strongholds become patterns in our lives, dictating how we think, feel, and act. They keep us trapped in cycles of fear, doubt, and self-destructive behaviors, preventing us from experiencing the abundant life that God has planned for us. But here’s the good news – with God’s help, we can break free from these strongholds and experience true freedom and restoration in every area of our lives. So let’s journey together, dear sisters, as we uncover the truth that sets us free!
Overcoming Strongholds Tips
Prayer of Discernment: Begin by earnestly praying for discernment, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas in your life where strongholds may be present. Trust in His guidance to uncover hidden lies and patterns of thought that need to be addressed.
Spiritual Warfare Declarations: Arm yourself with Scripture-based affirmations and declarations to combat the lies of the enemy. Speak God’s truth over your life and boldly rebuke any stronghold that seeks to exalt itself against the knowledge of God.Renewal of the Mind: Immerse yourself daily in God’s Word, allowing it to renew your mind and transform your thinking. Meditate on Scripture passages that speak directly to the areas where you struggle, replacing lies with the truth of God’s promises.
Fasting and Prayer: Consider incorporating fasting and focused prayer into your spiritual routine as powerful tools to break strongholds and draw closer to God. Surrender your desires and weaknesses to Him, seeking His strength and intervention in your life.
Deliverance Ministry: Don’t hesitate to seek support from trusted spiritual leaders or prayer partners who can come alongside you in deliverance ministry. Receive prayer for inner healing and freedom from any demonic oppression associated with strongholds.
Confession and Repentance: Examine your heart and courageously confess any sins or areas of disobedience that may be contributing to the stronghold’s grip on your life. Repent and turn away from sin, embracing God’s forgiveness and cleansing.Spirit-led Action Steps: Take intentional steps towards freedom, guided by the Holy Spirit. This may involve forgiving those who have hurt you, breaking unhealthy patterns of behavior, and stepping out in faith to confront fears and insecurities.
Biblical Basis for Understanding Strongholds:
– 2 Corinthians 10:3-5: “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. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
– Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
**Biblical Basis for Each Spirit-filled Tip:**
**Prayer of Discernment:**
– Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
– James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
**Spiritual Warfare Declarations:**
– Ephesians 6:17: “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
– Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.”
**Renewal of the Mind:**
– Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
– Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
**Fasting and Prayer:**
– Matthew 17:21: “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
– Joel 2:12-13: “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
**Deliverance Ministry:**
– James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
– Mark 16:17-18: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
**Confession and Repentance:**
– 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
– Acts 3:19: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
**Spirit-led Action Steps:**
– Philippians 4:13: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
– James 2:17: “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action
In an effort to provide holistic support and encouragement for your journey of healing and spiritual growth, I’m excited to introduce a new element in some of our posts. Through carefully curated journal prompts and self-assessment questions, these interactive tools aim to facilitate deeper introspection and self-awareness, guiding you towards a greater understanding of yourself and your relationship with God. Whether you choose to engage with all of the prompts or select those most resonant with your current season, these resources offer valuable insights and practical steps for personal growth and transformation. Embracing this innovative approach, we embark on a shared exploration of healing and restoration, trusting in God’s faithfulness to lead us towards wholeness and freedom.
Journal Prompts:
- Reflect on areas of your life where you may feel stuck or held back from experiencing the fullness of God’s love and purpose for you. What recurring thoughts, emotions, or behaviors do you notice that may be hindering your spiritual growth? *
- Describe moments when you have felt overwhelmed by negative thoughts, doubts, or fears about yourself, your relationships, or your future. How do these thoughts align or conflict with what you believe God says about you and your identity in Christ? *
- Write about times when you have sensed a disconnect or distance in your relationship with God. What barriers or obstacles do you perceive that may be blocking your intimacy and communication with Him? *
- Journal about your desire for greater freedom and victory in your spiritual life. What hopes and aspirations do you have for breaking free from anything that holds you back from experiencing God’s abundant life and blessings? *
- Reflect on the role of faith and trust in overcoming challenges and obstacles in your life. How can you lean on God’s promises and power to navigate through uncertainty and find strength in Him? *
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How aware am I of the influences and patterns in my life that may be hindering my spiritual growth and relationship with God? What steps can I take to become more attentive and discerning of these influences? *
- Do I recognize the impact of negative thought patterns, unresolved emotions, or past experiences on my mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being? How can I cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and honesty in acknowledging areas where I may need healing and transformation? *
- Have I sought support or guidance from trusted mentors, counselors, or spiritual leaders in exploring and addressing areas of struggle or challenge in my life? How can I overcome any barriers or fears that may be preventing me from seeking help and support? *
- Am I willing to take responsibility for my spiritual health and growth by actively engaging in practices such as prayer, Scripture study, and fellowship with other believers? How can I prioritize these practices in my daily life to nurture my relationship with God and experience His transformative power? *
- Have I invited the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of my life where I may be struggling or facing strongholds? How can I cultivate a posture of humility and openness to God’s guidance and correction as I seek to grow and mature in my faith journey? *