Dear beloved child of your Heavenly Father, do you know that your Heavenly Father wants your life to be easier?
That may not be the way most of us, Western-minded people, expect. To us, easier often = more money, more stuff, more, more, more!
Father compelled me to share with you about the easier way of life He desires each of His beloved children to walk in. It is found by walking in step with the Holy Spirit.
Rhythm and Flow
There is a rhythm of life that flows through the week and culminates in rest and refreshing in Shabbat that is in step with Holy Spirit. There is a pace through the day of keeping in step with Holy Spirit. There is a flow in step with Holy Spirit.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit,” (NIV, Galatians 5:25).
Fight?!
There can also be a fight!
There are literally parts of our being that are trying so hard to do what is right. These places in us are fighting hard to survive. But, those very parts that are truly trying hard may be fighting against Holy Spirit.
From Intensive Training. . .
In my life, some battles I recognized, and some I did not. A generational battle which became recognized was with the spirit of fear. The Lord trained me in this battle to take every thought captive—and the fruit of that ended up being great.
However, I also had trauma, as a result of the battle. Trauma (or post-traumatic stress disorder) is not dealt with the same as a battle is.
The short story is that in my training I learned to resist every thought that may have a shred of fear in it. In my focus, I remained vigilant and resistant. That is an excellent trait—in battle.
. . . to Be Still
One day, I battled and resisted as I “felt” what seemed to be an intrusion in my space. By the end of the day and through taking the time to be still in prayer and meet with the Lord, I discovered that the Holy Spirit was working to get something through to me. Yet, because of my PTSD from spiritual battle, I resisted.
I cried in prayer to Him that day—Father, I stand guard on the wall for You, and I didn’t get that YOU were trying to get through to me by Holy Spirit. Have mercy. Help us!
There are times it does feel like a fight with Holy Spirit because He is “working” on us (convicting) to let go of something, or face something, or say something, or take ownership of missteps and miscommunication that we did, or implement the next step toward a good pattern (habit).
In Recovery
Other times, we can accidentally resist Holy Spirit as a result of our PTSD from battles that we’ve been in long-term that we may or may not have recognized. Anxiety is one. Fear is another. Hopelessness and depression are also battles. Then there are all the long-term battles we’ve faced for the survival–in various forms–of our families. There is literally a spirit of death that has been at work at large to steal life in all of its forms—and that may be a “small” battle (like joy and life-flow) all the way to “big” ones (like health crises).
Darkest Hour Before Dawn
If you’ve walked with Father for a long time, you know this—but it is worth being said. The darkest hour is right before dawn. On days that the atmosphere pressed in around me, my nerves were raw, and the pressure felt unbearable, I have discovered time and again, that the next day brought turnaround, breakthrough, or some kind of joy.
My primary gift is not that of a seer, so I don’t usually “see” the battle. But, I feel it. Father sends answers to prayer, angelic detachments, Heavenly help, spiritual gifts, rewards, and more. His ancient enemy’s operatives see it. In those moments that your breakthrough, your answered prayers, are in route, the pain of that pressure is meant to push you to a point of agreement with them through your mouth. (Hint: When you realize you’ve done this, just repent! Tell Him you’re sorry, and strike those words down to the cross and render them powerless.)
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (NIV, Proverbs 18:21).
When they can get you to speak death, then they use you to steal what is rightfully yours.
That’s one reason why Father urged us to give thanks in all things—that secures what is rightfully ours and gives Him great honor and praise. A win-win. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
If you recognize that you’re dealing with spiritual PTSD, Your Recovery will help. It is offered as a precious free gift to the body of Christ. It’s available under products at hopestreams.net.
Father does want your life to flow with ease in Holy Spirit. Recognizing that you may have resisted Him as a result of your long-term battles and that you may have given ground to His ancient enemy with your mouth in times of pressure right before breakthrough (repent!) helps reverse this pattern.
Father compelled me to share with you that it is His desire for your life to flow in ease as you walk with Holy Spirit. Yes, even in these days on the earth. This is a now word.
Daily prayer strategy
“Father work in me to will and to act according to Your good purpose. I confess and renounce all hostility and resistance in me and my blood against You. I let go of the lies and come into agreement with the truth that Holy Spirit is leading me into in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.”
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Hope Streams
Featured Image by 0fjd125gk87 from Pixabay
Comments are closed.