When we launched 6peopleaway.com and shared the dream God had given us with others in ministry it caused more excitement and anticipation than even we imagined (and we dream BIG). Most “promised” to share their testimonies of the great things He had done in their lives, and the miracle after miracle witnessed, but since going live in October the outcome took a different turn. Few were able to put pen to paper sharing these miraculous events. What happened?
What we have witnessed over the past couple years in the Church.
Like waves battering the shore line from late fall gales, the enemy launched an assault, wave after wave, against the people of faith. Slowly eroding their confidence, and testimony to the point where only distant memories exist of the faithfulness of God and His miraculous works. Neither hot not cold, lukewarm zeal filled their lives as they long for the days past, of His great power; yet fear silenced prayers, and discouragement blurs all thoughts. Saints find themselves overwhelmed, exhausted, and miserable as a continual cycle of discouragement, regrets, and the weight of failure haunts their every waking moment. (Rev. 3:14-22 TPT)
Psalms 137 Along the banks of Babylon’s rivers we sat as exiles, mourning our captivity, and wept with great love for Zion. Our music and mirth we no longer heard, only sadness. We hung our harps on the willow trees. Our captors tormented us, saying, “Make music for us and sing one of your happy Zion songs!” But how could we sing the song of the Lord in this foreign wilderness? How could we share our testimony of the great things He has done in our lives on 6peopleaway.com when we are SO stuck?
It didn’t happen over night or even through the course of a year, but over time a strong enemy moved in and overcame the voice of the church, and has all but silenced her. Sure we are busy, the enemy keeps us that way, fighting battle after battle, in hopes of pushing back darkness in our land; but not being united with purpose and vision of who He is, and what He has done, we have became even more scattered, and distant from each other through weariness.
I read a quote in 2015 from Francis Fangipane and he said, “If Satan can’t distract you with worldliness, he will seek to drain you with weariness.”
“Fight it, stand strong, speak words of faith, and hope, push back the defeat filled days”, you tell yourself in a strangled cry of frustration, as each night gives way to another day, and another, and still another. Slowly, steadily, the enemy batters the shores of your mind until nothing but numbness is left and one small skirmish has the ability to shut down your entire day.
How to Recognize You Are Stuck In This Pattern.
Being honest with ourselves is one of the hardest things to do. We can be so efficient at analyzing others, yet our own road blocks remain hidden. Prov. 16 Denial can be one of our worst enemies in the path to freedom. If you see yourself in any of the following, we want to release you from it in Jesus mighty name.
Beginning patterns include: Backing away – having continual negative mental dialogue with yourself – speaking rapidly and not letting others “join” your dialog or get a word in – emphatically saying “no” – questioning others opinions and insisting on facts, then not believing those facts – blaming others – pleading/crying (mostly with yourself – becoming close minded – isolation and wanting to continually be alone – feeling the need to escape – refusing to argue or respond to an accusation – explaining calmly you are NOT in denial
Escalated patterns could be: defensiveness – hurt – guilt – anger – constant conflict – shock – feeling vulnerable – disillusioned
Physical indicators: nausea – restricted throat – pain in chest – feeling cold all over – trouble breathing (leading into panic attacks) – continual crying
Being Released Into Freedom
The trap Satan has set for us is not an easy one due to the fact that over time we GAVE him access through our thoughts, will, and emotions. He has rights there and we are going to have to take a stand. Being prayed for is always good, however, in this case you are going to have to do the leg work. I can remember my Mom saying many times, “you got yourself into this mess, and only you can get yourself out.”
The Thing to Remember
Psalms 56 says that , “You Lord, have kept track of all my wandering and my weeping. You stored my many tears in your bottle-not one will be lost. The very moment I call on you for a Fathers help the tide of the battle turns and my strong enemy flees. This one thing I know: God is on my side.
Confess Right Now With Me.
Lord I submit myself to you right now; I commit the tears I have shed to you, and know that you have seen each one, and cried with me over the place the enemy has me trapped. It was not your desire I ended up here, its was my strong enemies desire for me, and I allowed him to overtake me. I confess before you my sin in allowing my mind and emotions to give in to his promptings, his thoughts and his suggestions. I allowed him to take captive my soul and blind me from the truth of your great love for me. I confess this sin before you now. You, my Lord, have not brought this on me and I repent of ever saying you did. I love and worship you Lord and desire to follow the plan you have for my life.
Let’s Do This!
Create a journal and meditate on the following scriptures. Every time the enemy comes at you saying your trapped, or you fall into a helpless abscess, grab your journal and go through you meditations. Push him back with the power of the Word, the Blood of the Lamb, and your testimony of the great things He has done in your life. Our journey will not be easy or simple. It is a walk, step by step, minute by minute, hour by hour, and before you know it the heaviness is gone and you are walking in freedom.
Mediate on the following scripture. Take your time, this isn’t a race to the finish line, but rather a journey.
Psalms 118 (All – line by line – verse by verse until it resonates in your soul)
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you
Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places
1 Corinthians 15:57 Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 4 (Temptation in the wilderness – mediate on how Jesus combated Satan and know you can battle him the same way)
Confess Continually
Jesus I know you have canceled out every legal violation on our record against me and the old arrest warrant that stood to indict me has been eliminated . You erased it all—my confessed sins, ,my stained soul has been made white as snow—Lord Jesus you deleted it all and they cannot be retrieved! Everything I once was in Adam has been placed onto you cross and nailed permanently there as a public display of cancellation. Lord Jesus, for me you made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse me. And by the power of the cross, you Lord Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. You Lord Jesus were not their prisoner; they were your!” – Colossians 2:13-15 (The Passion Translation)
Lord Jesus I am forgiven, I am set free, and I have your mighty power working in me to overcome these thoughts and attacks. One by one Lord I am bringing them captive to your word and will no longer let them control me. As each though that is contrary to your word enters my mind I will grab it and take it captive, then as you did in the wilderness temptation, I speak what my Father God has said about this situation and not what Satan presumes. I am your Lord Jesus, now and forever more.
We hope this journal has given you insight into the plans of the enemy and through it you find freedom from his grasp. We would love to connect with you, pray over you, stand with you. Connect with us below. Lets stand together, face this strong enemy, and remove him from our minds.
Ready to share your testimony? 6peopleaway.com is waiting for you to post it so we can share it with others in the same place you were and let freedom flow over them like warm oil flowing down Arron’s beard.
