Our thoughts, words, and actions create atmospheres. We carry, cultivate, and release those atmospheres wherever we go. Considering the current global pandemic that we suddenly find ourselves facing, I feel compelled to share how imperative it is to create the right atmospheres so we can live in faith within a world snared by fear. What is your Atmosphere? Your atmosphere is the pervading tone or mood of a place or situation that you are within. Atmospheres can do two things: attract similar atmospheres and collide with each other (which is when one atmosphere takes over another; the strongest prevails). You have the power to create, change, and shift atmospheres through your thoughts, words, and actions. Guarding Against a Spirit of Fear One morning, recently, I awoke to a spirit of fear. Throughout the night, this demon had been tormenting and bombarding me with dreadful thoughts, telling me that I had contracted the COVID-19 virus. This spirit had been trespassing and harassing me because, you see, it was in the atmosphere. I wrestled with this spirit in my mind, but then I quickly realized that I needed to expose the darkness. I partnered with my husband in prayer so that we could agree, in faith, and shift the atmosphere. Faith successfully broke the atmosphere of fear and those thoughts disappeared. Fear is the Opposite of Faith In Mark 4:40, Jesus said to His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” When we are full of faith, we are not afraid. It is necessary to identify our fears so that we can exercise our faith over them and walk in victory. If we choose to live by what we see in the natural, fear can trespass and intrude. We must adjust our thoughts, words, and actions so that they line up with the Word of God. Take self-inventory. What are you thinking, speaking, and doing in these present times? Are you spending too much time listening to negative news? Are your thoughts and words fear-based? Have you allowed an atmosphere of fear to prevail in your home? If you haven’t been aligning with a lifestyle of faith, make those necessary changes starting today. Close the news, open your Bible, and pray! Stand firm in your faith and allow God to strengthen that faith. Isaiah 7:9 says, “If you are not firm in your faith, you will not be firm at all.” I declare over you that the atmosphere of fear is colliding with the atmosphere of faith, and the atmosphere of faith will prevail in your life! Pray the following prayer aloud, declaring an atmosphere shift: Dear heavenly Father, Thank You that You haven’t given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. I command every spirit of fear attacking me or dwelling within my atmosphere to leave now, in the name of Jesus. I ask You, Lord, to send Your angels to drive out anything that is not of You. I claim Your promises in Psalm 91, and I plead the blood of Jesus around my body, mind, family, home, and atmosphere. I ask for a fresh release of faith now, in a greater measure than I’ve ever experienced before. Equip me, Lord, to align my thoughts, words, and actions with a lifestyle of faith and not fear. Empower me to shift atmospheres from fear to faith wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Detox: a cleanse; a refreshing; a reset. Natural detoxes have many proven benefits such as boosting energy levels, strengthening the immune system, and eliminating toxins. People love what a natural detox can do for their physical bodies, but what about a spiritual detox? Is it beneficial to eliminate behaviors which could cause negative spiritual effects in our lives and hinder a breakthrough? Here are five behaviors we need to eliminate to live our best life ever: 1. Unrealistic Expectations When we have unrealistic expectations of others, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment and resentment. It’s important to love and accept others right where they’re at and to stop trying to get something from an individual who simply can’t give it. Jesus is our source – nobody else – and when we understand that, we can be free. 2. Wrong Relationships 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” No doubt about it, we will become exactly like the people we surrounded ourselves with! Stay away from “still” people: still complaining, still hating, still not making a change, still living in the past, still making excuses. These kinds of relationships will cause toxicity in our lives. Understand that relationships are either for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Don’t hold onto a relationship longer than the Lord intended. 3. Fear of Man Fear of man is being more impressed with man’s reaction to our actions than with God’s reaction. It’s time to detox from people-pleasing and the fear of man’s opinion. If we live for people’s acceptance, we will die from their rejection. Proverbs 29:25 tells us, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.” We will never please everyone and remember that God’s opinion is the only one that really counts. Live to please Him, not others. 4. Comparison 2 Corinthians 10:12: “…But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” When we compare ourselves with one another the Bible says we are unwise. Comparison can result in insecurities, inferiority complexes, jealousies, competitiveness, and discouragement – all of which are toxic. 5. Complacency Complacency is when we experience a calm satisfaction with our own abilities or with a situation, which prevents us from trying harder. Zephaniah 1:12: “At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, ‘The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill.’” We can become complacent in our workplace, ministry, relationships, and with the Lord. Complacency will keep us in our “safe zone.” It will block our growth, our breakthrough, and God’s best. It’s Detox Time! It’s time to be cleansed, refreshed, and reset! Pray the following prayer and detox now: Dear heavenly Father, I desire to live my best life, walking in the highest call You have for me. I ask You to cleanse and detoxify my spiritual life from any unrealistic expectations, wrong relationships, fear of man, comparison, complacency, and any other behaviors or attitudes that are bringing toxicity into my life. I’m sorry for allowing these behaviors to hinder me. Lord, I ask You to empower me to make any changes necessary for me to stay free, fill me with Your glory, and refresh and ignite my spiritual life, in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
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