Philippians 3:13-14
In the dictionary, a stronghold is defined as, "a fortified place or a fortress". In the old testament, a stronghold was a fortified place used as a means of protection. In the new testament, a stronghold is defined as, "arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Satan starts working on building strongholds early on in our lives. He is a crafty little pesk. He also takes his time. Think about the strongholds in your life. Chances are, the root of the problem began years ago. You may not be able to trust because of something someone did to you 10 years ago. You may be addicted to something because of one encounter that you had years ago. Your way of thinking, your thought process, may be a little off because of something that happened in your childhood or simply because of the way you were brought up.
These things take root in our lives and prevent us from moving forward. God can't use us the way He wants to if we have junk blocking our flow.
My stronghold was my mind. There are things that happened to me and situations that I went through that had completely altered the way I thought about myself and my world. I was seeing the world through false lenses. And because I saw the world the way that I wanted to see the world, because I saw myself the way I wanted to see myself, it kept me from realizing who I truly am.
I would find myself in situations that weren't right. And instead of just dealing with it the right way and going to God, I would break my neck trying to make it go my way- because that's the way I saw things. I would worry myself to death! God was telling me, "my child, let go." But I would hang on to the situation with all my might- kicking, screaming, crying- continuing to dig myself into a deeper mental hole. My mind was always all over the place. I let people easily get to me. I didn't have a sense of who I was. And the devil played off of that- for years.
I tried to do the unspeakable a few years back. And its because I didn't know who I was. My mind was messed up. Satan had it out for me. And lately, I found myself back in the same situations, having the same thoughts, feeling the same way.
But let me tell you, because my God is an awesome God, He heard my cry. He saw me when I got down on my knees in full submission to Him. He felt me lay all of my issues out in front of Him. And He gently lifted me up and renewed my mind. God took situations that were meant for my bad, even those that I meant for evil, and worked it out for my good.
You have to recognize the strongholds in your life, present them to God, tell Him that you are a mess and you don't want to be this way. And I guarantee that He will make a way. He will pull you out of whatever it is that is holding you in bondage. You just have to believe.
And once he does it, you CAN'T LOOK BACK. There is no looking back.
Damita Haddon has a song out called, "No Looking Back." She says:
What's your stronghold? What thing has you in bondage? It may not be every day of your life. But what situation, addiction, thought, mentality, or person causes you to struggle? What in your life can't you seem to get over or let go of? What is holding you back from being who God has called you to be? These are all strongholds.Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus.
In the dictionary, a stronghold is defined as, "a fortified place or a fortress". In the old testament, a stronghold was a fortified place used as a means of protection. In the new testament, a stronghold is defined as, "arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Satan starts working on building strongholds early on in our lives. He is a crafty little pesk. He also takes his time. Think about the strongholds in your life. Chances are, the root of the problem began years ago. You may not be able to trust because of something someone did to you 10 years ago. You may be addicted to something because of one encounter that you had years ago. Your way of thinking, your thought process, may be a little off because of something that happened in your childhood or simply because of the way you were brought up.
These things take root in our lives and prevent us from moving forward. God can't use us the way He wants to if we have junk blocking our flow.
My stronghold was my mind. There are things that happened to me and situations that I went through that had completely altered the way I thought about myself and my world. I was seeing the world through false lenses. And because I saw the world the way that I wanted to see the world, because I saw myself the way I wanted to see myself, it kept me from realizing who I truly am.
I would find myself in situations that weren't right. And instead of just dealing with it the right way and going to God, I would break my neck trying to make it go my way- because that's the way I saw things. I would worry myself to death! God was telling me, "my child, let go." But I would hang on to the situation with all my might- kicking, screaming, crying- continuing to dig myself into a deeper mental hole. My mind was always all over the place. I let people easily get to me. I didn't have a sense of who I was. And the devil played off of that- for years.
I tried to do the unspeakable a few years back. And its because I didn't know who I was. My mind was messed up. Satan had it out for me. And lately, I found myself back in the same situations, having the same thoughts, feeling the same way.
But let me tell you, because my God is an awesome God, He heard my cry. He saw me when I got down on my knees in full submission to Him. He felt me lay all of my issues out in front of Him. And He gently lifted me up and renewed my mind. God took situations that were meant for my bad, even those that I meant for evil, and worked it out for my good.
You have to recognize the strongholds in your life, present them to God, tell Him that you are a mess and you don't want to be this way. And I guarantee that He will make a way. He will pull you out of whatever it is that is holding you in bondage. You just have to believe.
And once he does it, you CAN'T LOOK BACK. There is no looking back.
Damita Haddon has a song out called, "No Looking Back." She says:
I am leaving this place nowThat's real right there. Recognize the crap in your life- the things that you know aren't right, the things that are grieving your spirit, the things that you can't shake- and ask God to release you. Ask God to examine you and wash you anew. He can and He will. He did it for me.
Letting go of all my fears
Saying goodbye to the memories I hold dear
I can finally breathe again
It's a new day, farewell past
As I close this chapter
I say free at last
I made up my mind, there's no turning back
The past is behind me, there's no looking back
I'm looking forward, not behind
I made a decision to give You my life
And there's no looking back.....
3 comments:
Great post! Is this song from Damita Haddon's new album?
Yes, the enemy sets us up from birth, and many times we don't even know it until the stronghold is entrenched in our lives! Then we have to pray for God to kill the root of that thing so that it doesn't grow back (I'm mixing metaphors here, but you know what I mean).
Yep! I think the name of the CD is No Looking Back also. But don't quote me on that!
And yes, I know EXACTLY what you mean! =)
My 1st visit- great post! My enemy was my thinking that some things HAD to held on to when everything around me was telling me it wasn't right. It took some very DRAMATIC evnts for things to change literally OVERNIGHT, and for that I thank God!
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