Tuesday, January 16th, 2024
Over the weekend God gave me a vision that I want to share. There was an individual walking on a bridge between two cliffs. As they focused on their fears, this “bridge” turned into a tightrope. They were trembling and working incredibly hard just to keep themselves balanced. In the next portion of this vision, I saw the same person beginning to declare scripture, take their fearful thoughts captive and focus on God instead of their fears. The bridge beneath their feet had suddenly transformed into solid wooden planks. They had done nothing to change their footing other than the thoughts and words they were allowing to ruminate in their mind and come out of their mouth. For me personally, this isn’t just a vision, this is my reality. When I am losing the battle in my mind, I feel like that person struggling to balance on the tightrope let alone move forward. While it’s not yet automatic, I know that as soon as I can take my thoughts captive and put my trust back in God there is nothing that can shake me.
I think this vision could apply to many different areas of our lives. For some, it may be thoughts of anger, depression, shame, people-pleasing, pride, etc. Whenever we let the enemy take us down a path that God did not intend for us, we risk losing our footing. If he can get us thinking more about ourselves, our circumstances, other’s thoughts about us, or our failures, then we are instantly at the mercy of these things and any other surprises that may come up. This is why God reminds us on more than one occasion to seek Him first, keep our eyes fixed on Him and serve Him above all else. If we are doing these things, then nothing can shake us. Nothing will be able to distract us from our path.
If you find yourself walking on a tight rope, the best thing to do is get out your Bible. Find as many scriptures as you can on whatever topic the enemy is tempting you with and start memorizing and declaring them. This is the best way to encourage our souls. And it’s a sure-fire way to send the enemy packing. He hates the truth of the Word of God, and he won’t stay around long. For me, these scriptures are usually around fear. Here are a few of my favorites:
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Psalm 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 91:5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Psalm 91:10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
Jeremiah 1:19 They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”
Final Thoughts…
Sometimes we cry out to God and wonder why it feels like we aren’t going anywhere. Is it possible we are spending all of our focus and energy just trying not to fall off our tightrope? Every gust of wind and every minor storm shakes us to our core. Our rope becomes even less stable and sure than it was before. How can we give any thought to what’s ahead when we are clinging to the rope just trying to stay alive? This is not how God intends for us to live. He wants us to ground ourselves on His rock. He wants us to believe in Him no matter the howl of the wind or the darkness of the storm. He wants to be the One our minds and our gaze are fixed upon as we patiently wait for Him to show us when and how to move forward. Let’s take a greater stand against the lies that the enemy tries to derail us with. His way is never better, nor should we be trying so hard in our human strength to overcome him. Jesus already overcame him once and for all. Let’s leave our tightropes behind and live like we believe it.