Breaking Strongholds That Strangle Women
In looking back over my life, I have been able to
identify at least five major strongholds that I personally had to deal with in
order to be released into my destiny.
I think many women will relate to a number of these on
differing levels.
1. Strongholds of the Mind
I like the way Ed Silvoso describes this kind of
stronghold in That
None Should Perish:
"A mindset
impregnated with hopelessness that causes the believer to accept as
unchangeable, situations that we know are contrary to the will of God."
In other words, some of the ways we think and feel
Basically, there are ways we think and feel about
ourselves that can actually stop us from reaching our destinies in God. These
can be things such as childhood traumas, insecurities or inferiorities.
2. The Stronghold of Fear
One of the biggest strongholds we women struggle with
is fear. Fear comes in many packages and hides behind lies. We sometimes
self-righteously dress up our fears as, "It's
simply not in me to stand in public and pray."
We fear others' opinions. Remember, at the end of our
days, the Lord will ask each of us what we did with our talents.
I hope none of you have a backyard full of talents
you've buried, such as gifts of music, writing, organization, serving and more.
Fear will not be an acceptable excuse when we stand
before the King of the universe because He has given us all the ability to be
overcomers through the blood of the Lamb.
If we are feeling overtaken with fear, it has not come
from God! He gives us power, love and a sound mind (see 2 Tim. 1:7).
Some of you need to dust off your talents and dreams
and give them to the Lord. The difference between women who find their place in
God's kingdom and those who never find it may simply be a willingness to be
used of God.
Everyone can do something. You can join a group of
Moms in Touch who intercede for their children's schools or some other form of
service that will get you out of yourself.
3. Strongholds of Intimidation
Intimidation often binds women. It occurs when we look
at our shortfalls rather than at the greatness of God. Whether we are called to
sing or testify, the enemy might say something such as, "People will think that you are full of pride if you do
that!"
He often points out the weaknesses in our personal
lives and family situations, or tries to compare our abilities with those of
others in order to produce an oppressive feeling that will restrain us from
reaching our full potential in God.
4. Generational Strongholds
Some strongholds start long before we are born. We
inherit them. You might say, "Wait a
minute, Cindy, that's not fair!"
Exodus 20:5 tells us that God visits the iniquities of
the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation. While we have
been redeemed from these iniquities, we need to appropriate our freedom through
the name of Jesus Christ.
I give a lengthy teaching on this subject in my
book The Voice of God. These strongholds can produce curses
such as sickness, poverty, insanity and so forth.
5. Strongholds of Tradition
Growing up in the South, in the United States,
tradition was another of my big strongholds.
Good Christian Southern women simply did not travel
around the world and preach the gospel! I struggled intensely with accepting
the call of God upon my life as a minister of the gospel.
It took me two full years before I even admitted to
anyone that I was a minister—even after I was
Now, I am proud (in a righteous way) of sharing what I
do in God's kingdom. I tell people, "I
have a great Boss, and the retirement plan is out of this world!"
I have often wondered if Queen Vashti, in the book of Esther,
refused to come when summoned by the king because it was not traditional for
her to do so. When our King summons us, we must be sure that we are not being
held back by tradition.
Lord, Send Me Into My Call
You may have a genuine desire to become a woman of destiny and
fulfill the high calling of Christ Jesus for your life. Be assured that the
Lord is raising up a vast army of handmaidens all around the world.
Do not be
bound by the opinion of man (or woman). Simply follow God's leading.
If God calls you to stay home full time even after your children
are grown, then do it! Maybe you are single, and God is calling you to the
mission field; step out!
Please pray the following prayer with me right now:
"Lord, I want to be a woman of destiny. I give You all of my
life, my children, my family and other people's opinions of me. Here am I,
Lord. Send me into my call. Help me to break down any strongholds that stop me
from completely serving You. I will go anywhere You ask me to go and do
anything You ask me to do as long as I know it is Your will for my life. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
God never calls us to do something for Him that He does not empower us
to do if we are willing to do the work and time. Please, take the time to get
to know God in an intimate way.
As your relationship with Him grows, you move up in rank and are
assigned harder missions. Your purpose on earth is to shine God’s love to a
lost, dying world.
Your mission, if you should choose to accept it, is waiting for you!
Open your ears and your heart to the Lord and be excited about your new
future serving Him in truth and spirit.
Can
God change your life?
God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life.
Serve Him.
Wait on Him.
And expect … for He is able to do much much more than you can ask or
imagine.
Settle that sin issue ...
“Father God, I
confess I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from
my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You.
Please forgive me, and help me avoid
sinning again.
I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ died
for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.
I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my
life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Thank You that
according to Your Word, I am now born again.
Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me
obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. I promise to study Your Word - the Bible.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.”
Related Posts:
“Breath Of Heaven” (Mary’s
Song)
lyrics
I have travelled many moonless
night
Cold and weary, with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father, you have come
And chosen me now
To carry your son
I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now
Be with me now
[Chorus]
Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven
Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me
[Chorus: x2]
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Cold and weary, with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father, you have come
And chosen me now
To carry your son
I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now
Be with me now
[Chorus]
Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven
Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me
[Chorus: x2]
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Cindy Jacobs is an author, speaker, and
teacher with a heart for discipling nations in the areas of prayer and
prophetic gifts. She and Mike—her husband of 41 years—co-founded Generals
International in 1985. She is a respected prophet who travels the world,
ministering not only to crowds of people but to heads of nations. Her first
calling is and always will be prophetic intercession. Each year she travels,
and she has spoken on nearly every inhabited continent to tens of thousands.
Cindy has authored books, loves to travel and speak, but one of her favorite
past-times is spending time with her husband Mike and their children Daniel and
Mary Madison, along with her grandchildren.
Dare to go deeper in your faith. Our "Life in the
Spirit" devotional takes you on a journey to explore who the Holy Spirit
is, how to interact with Him, and how He works in your life. Are you ready to go deeper?
http://www.charismamag.com/life/women/26572-cindy-jacobs-breaking-strongholds-that-strangle-women?showall=&start=1
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