“But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32a).
For a time, I didn’t ask people for prayer. I became protective of ‘my stuff,’ and I backed away from needing people because I had me-the army of one. I felt alone, misunderstood; all the things that I wanted no one to know about because I got me. This mindset created offense and functional depression. I backed away so that no one would see it; no one knew me enough to recognize what it looked like.
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat”
(Luke 22:32b).
What does it look like when you are being sifted? The sifting starts early in life and can be a continuous pattern if the devil feels like his tactics are working against you. I asked a friend recently, “Why am I so emotional? Did God give me these emotions?” I tend to feel deeply because I am an intercessor, but the emotions have to be stewarded properly. You have to master them by submitting to God, allowing Him to mature you, and knowing when to be still in Him.
Today, as I went about my morning, I silently thought, “ I need prayer.” The response that I got was Luke 22:32a, “ I have already prayed for you.” God gave me a response that I was not expecting. I am in a place where He is no longer allowing me to go on mental tangents. I’ve asked Him to carve new neural pathways in my brain. This means being okay with disagreeing what old patterns and behaviors that the devil created. No more hiding or isolating . No more telling yourself that you are not loved, wanted, needed- you fill in the blank. No more of the old patterns that lead to self-destruction.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” ( John 10:10 KJV).
What lie has the devil told you today? Let’s put a light on the father of lies and call him what he is, A LIER!!!
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 KJV).
Let’s do a self-check-in:
· How are you, and how is your walk with the Lord going?
· What do you need in this moment?
· How can God help you, and have you consulted the Holy Spirit?
· With whatever you are feeling, how did you get to that emotion, and is it healthy?
Invite God into your space
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” ( Philippians 4:7 KJV).
Lord, I pray to get out of myself and into you. I pray to be led by your Spirit and not by my emotions. Thank you for reminding me that you have already prayed for me. Thank you for showing me that you are near to me and care about how I feel. Lord, help me to think about what I am thinking about. I pray to keep my mind stayed on you and to be disciplined in my emotions. In 1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul said, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”. Help me to serve you in excellence privately and publicly. In Jesus name, Amen.
Recommended Reading:
Ephesians 6:11-17
1 Peter 5:7
Colossians 3:7
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