“The Holy Spirit is the key to unlocking the mystery of our emotional and behavioral difficulties. Ask Him to reveal the underlying issue that is causing your struggle." Kathy Spampinato

Life sometimes feels like a battle! Is there a war on the inside? Are you struggling with temptation or finding yourself doing the things you promised yourself you would not? Are you distracted by heavy negative thoughts patterns? They could be thoughts about yourself, your past, other people, or life itself. We can find ourselves in this position with no warning, and we might not feel strong or able to fight off this darkness. We just want to be left alone, in peace. Well, Jesus says,

John 14:27 NIV "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not be let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. "

Jesus promises victory for us, but how do we get it or apply it? How do we attain peace in our hearts and minds? An area of repeated struggle can reveal an area where we have given the enemy a foothold into our lives. We've not protected our heart. The Bible gives us instruction for gaining spiritual freedom. The first step is to invite Jesus into your heart and life. Repent and ask Him to be your savior. He will fight the battle for you.

The Holy Spirit is the key to unlocking the mystery of our emotional and behavioral difficulties. Ask Him to reveal the underlying issue that is causing your struggle. Holy Spirit might give you a dream, a mental picture, a word, or a memory that helps identify the problem and its root. Tell God that you are sorry for opening the door to pride, fear, rebellion, anxiety or other area of struggle. Repent of your agreement, and break your tie with it. Refuse to agree again, and ask God to fill your heart.

Now we need to fortify ourselves in the Lord. We need to protect our hearts and minds. It is important to fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit. God will always be there to help us fight our battles.

1 John 4:13- 18 NIV "We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. ….There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear."

Isaiah 40:28-31 says, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. "

If we put our hope in the Lord, He will strengthen and fortify us. He will not ever grow weary. His love will keep us. We can rely on His strength. He is the Savior.

Nehemiah 8:10b "This day is sacred to the Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is our strength."

1 John 1:15-17 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he has and does- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

Let's say a little prayer as we finish today.

Father, there is so much to learn about walking in faith. Teach me to build myself up in you, God, so that I can walk in the Spirit and in truth. Then I will not fall for the lies of the enemy. I will walk in freedom to love You and serve You. Teach me your ways, O God. I want to bring glory to You. Amen.