My Stronghold

As the 4th of July draws near, the word "freedom" sets upon my heart and the hearts of everyone who celebrates our nation's independence. Many of us sometimes forget to reflect just what that word means to us.

Lately the word "stronghold" has been put upon my heart when I think of freedom. Everyone of us has a stronghold/strongholds in our life. It's something that has a strong grip on us, and everytime we try to knock the grip off and run away to be free from it, it smacks us on the back, takes a strong grip once again and pulls us back to it. Over and over and over again.

Everyone's stronghold can be different from the next person's. For example, my stronghold tends to be worry. Mostly over finances or my kids and their safety from anything evil harming them. Sometimes, I'll start worrying and then realize what I'm doing. I'll pray and give it over to God, only to take the worry back 10 minutes later. And that cycle can be repeated several times a day.

Your stronghold can be entirely different from mine. Maybe it's swearing. Or maybe you're a grudgeholder. You can't seem to get over something that someone did to hurt you in your past----years ago. And you dredge it back up and let it fester, only to try to stuff it away again for next time something brings it back up again. Lust, lying, pride, smoking, drinking, drugs, greed, the list can go on and on. Strongholds are anything that are unhealthy that you can't easily give up or quit on your own.

So this is the freedom I have been thinking about. Freedom from the stronghold that Satan has gripped us with. Only Jesus Christ can free us from those strongholds. We can't get rid of them on our own. We aren't strong enough. But He is.

Here are some great verses that you can memorize and fling back at Satan when he tries to put his grip on you again:

"The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; My God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my Shield and the horn of my Salvation. HE IS MY STRONGHOLD, my Refuge and my Savior--from violent men you save me." 2 Samuel 22:3

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a Stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear? THE LORD is the Stronghold of my life--" Psalm 27:1

Jesus should be our stronghold, for His grip is loving and strong. An anchor for us in life's storms. So I pray that this fourth of July, you will recognize what your stronghold is in your life--what is it that you've allowed to have a tight grip on you that keeps you from living life freely?

I pray you will ask Jesus to be your stronghold. In His mighty name, bonds or chains will be broken.

I pray for all the troops who have fought and are still fighting for the freedoms we have enjoyed and many times have taken advantage of in this nation. I thank all the troops so very much for putting your lives on the line for us. I pray for you and your families and that the Lord will greatly bless you all and bring you home safe.

Happy fourth!

Love in Christ Jesus,
Alyssa