Free from the Stronghold of Panic

Panic is the epitome of fear. Fear taken to the extreme surprises its victims with an attack of panic that appears life-threatening. When a stronghold of panic is present the fearful extremes can repeat in panic attacks for days, months, and even years.

Words, places, people, and certain days can trigger the panic attack. Usually, its catalyst is an old fear that has never been resolved or released to the Lord. That's your hot button.

Panic-attack (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you’ve ever had a panic attack you felt your heart racing and you might have even seen it pounding in your chest raising and lowering rapidly to the pace of the accelerated pounding. You have a hard time breathing, your head is spinning, and overall you feel as if you are going to die.

Even though you think you’re sure you are having a heart attack take heed and take heart, you are just a victim of panic. (At these times, try: breathing in a paper lunch bag slowly, relaxing your shoulders and back, walking slowly while concentrating on your breathing, stretching your arms, legs, and even body.)

That doesn’t mean the extreme emotional response that caused the panic won’t create a problem in your body, it just means that you should be able to seek out and resolve the trigger before panic can affect your health. As with all other strongholds, the enemy is working behind the scenes to disable and disarm you. Temporary solutions mean either medication or counseling. The only real solution is in Christ for complete deliverance.

John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

When we allow the stronghold of panic to remain it invites other strongholds and itself could have been invited by a stronghold such as bitterness, unforgiveness, guilt, fear, anger, rage, and so forth. It’s hard to say how panic took root but the roots of panic usually lie inside of our thoughts, memories, circumstances or imaginings apart from God.

5 Biblical tips to overcome a stronghold of panic.
1. First and foremost, trust God. A mind stayed on God and his promises will never drift into the what-ifs of fear.

Psalm 53:5 There they are—panic-stricken— but there was no reason to panic, because God has scattered the bones of those who set up camp against you. You put them to shame. After all, God has rejected them.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts andplans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts andplansfor welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

2. Know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Mark 16:6 The young man said to them, “Don’t panic! You’re looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been brought back to life. He’s not here. Look at the place where they laid him.

3. Allow God’s words to wash over you. The more time you spend in the word and getting to know the real Christ, the less panic, fear, and all other strongholds will have control over your life.

Proverbs 1:23-28 ²³ If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you. ²⁴ Because I have called and you have refused [to answer], have stretched out my hand and no man has heeded it,²⁵ And you treated as nothing all my counsel and would accept none of my reproof, ²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when the thing comes that shall cause you terror and panic—²⁷ When your panic comes as a storm and desolation and your calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. ²⁸ Then will they call upon me [Wisdom] but I will not answer; they will seek me early and diligently but they will not find me.

Psalm 51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow.

4. Turn your thoughts to thoughts of love, peace, forgiveness, and purity.

Philippians 4:8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

5. Follow Christ and rest in knowing that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

Stronghold of Rage

Rage demands its own way. It is always violently angry. It inflicts fear and terror in others. If it is allowed to become a stronghold  it will eventually push everyone out of its host’s life. Selfishness, jealousy, rebellion and offense can invite it in.

This stronghold can end our lives or keep goodness and love at a distance if it is allowed to continue.

Job 5:2a For vexation and rage kill the foolish man.

Rage can be instigated by [vain] imagination. Thoughts of foolishness and selfishness can bring it on. It is paranoid. It perceives offense where offense may not be intended. Every part of its existence is grounded in selfishness.

When rage moves forward it does not take anyone or anything else into consideration except its own agenda. It has no compassion, no respect, no concern for the welfare or well-being of its host or those around its host.
If this stronghold of rage is not stamped out it will kill. It may not be the death of a human but it will be the death of something good — something the host does not want to, or should ever lose.

5 Biblical tips to overcome rage:
1. Do not allow the stronghold of denial to cover over rage in your life. Be honest with yourself, God, and others.

Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices,¹⁰And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.

2. Try to understand why you are angry before it turns into [verbally or physically] foolish violence.

Luke 6:11 But they were filled with lack of understanding and senseless rage and discussed (consulted) with one another what they might do to Jesus.

3. When you feel rage trying to stick its ugly head into your life find a safe, quiet place and look to God for help before it moves in.

Hosea 7:16 They turn back, shift, or change, but not upwards [to the Most High]. They are like a deceitful bow; their princes shall fall by the sword for the insolence and rage of their tongue. This shall be [cause for] their derision and scorning in the land of Egypt.

4. Turn to God if someone has raged against you [especially for a foolish or nonsensical reason].

Psalm 7:6 Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; lift up Yourself against the rage of my enemies; and awake [and stir up] for me the justice and vindication [that] You have commanded.

5. Do not argue with fools or allow an argument to turn passionate. If someone you know is acting foolishly, back off– before you allow rage to take over your or their countenance.

Proverbs 29:9 If a wise man has an argument with a foolish man, the fool only rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

Job 31:12 For [uncontrolled passion] is a fire which consumes to Abaddon (to destruction, ruin, and the place of final torment); [that fire once lighted would rage until all is consumed] and would burn to the root all my [life’s] increase.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

Seasons of Change

No matter how old or young we are or what baggage we may carry, God continually guides us toward a perfect relationship with him. He doesn’t begin this process after we have abandoned sin. This is a process that began early in our lives.

God never condones sin, nor will he judge the sinner until the time is right.

  1 Timothy 5:22 Do not be in a hurry in the laying on of hands [giving the sanction of the church too hastily in reinstating expelled offenders or in ordination in questionable cases], nor share or participate in another man’s sins; keep yourself pure. Jesus never joined in sin but easily spoke to the sinner without hesitation because of his/her sin.

Our goal should be to seek out his will. If we take our eyes off the natural (using our five senses) and look to God who created all things, we begin to clearly perceive a pattern of the seasons of change in our lives. 

Daniel 2:21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Strongholds brought on by carelessly disregarding God’s will may hide dormant for years or worse, they may increase and imprison us until we come to the point of total submission. When we begin to trust God, and trust in God, rather than in our feelings, our circumstances, or our five senses we shed the veil that has been obscuring our vision. It’s this very veil that can keep us in bondage to strongholds for the rest of our lives. Some may call it denial, but in effect, we may have become comfortable with what should be given over to a season of change.

Since God is drawing us to him from an early age, the enemy is also trying to take control. How can we take control back and go through the seasons of change in our lives without becoming bound by a demonic stronghold?

5 Biblical ways to advance through the seasons of change in our lives.
1. Realize and embrace the fact that our walk with God does come in seasons. Seek to advance toward God during these times.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

2. Seek out the wisdom of God. It's so easy to turn away from God when we have a crisis or a change in our lives that we didn’t expect and we can’t explain. This is a season of change and an opportunity to better understand the love of God.

Daniel 2:21 He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding!

3. Do not dictate to God. Give God His right to keep some things about your season of change to Himself. His will for you is perfect after all and in the end, you will see the good he has done.

Acts 1:7 He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]

4. Don’t doubt God during your season of change. Continue to trust in and rely on him.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

Romans 8:28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

5. Keep focused on doing right and on God’s words. Meditate on God’s words day and night.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. ² Rather, he delights in the teachings of the Lord and reflects on his teachings day and night. ³ He is like a tree planted beside streams—a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

Stronghold of Generational Disease

Four Generations of Cotters! (Photo credit: cacaye)
Have you ever wondered why certain sicknesses run in families? Have we accepted this phenomenon as a fact of life? What does God say about these things? A generational disease is simply put, a curse on our bodies.

Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? Notice that this verse says, “Satan has kept in bondage.”

The major qualifications for a disease could at times be imprinted into our DNA, but more than likely this imprinting does not necessarily have to result in disease. What are diseases and why do we seem to inherit them from our ancestors?

Disease is an abnormal condition that affects the body of an organism. Most disease is not a prerequisite. But a disease can come on us because of sin. Sin that has turned into a habit and eventual stronghold may, in fact, cause our bodies to invite sickness. Habits are learned behavior that can be passed down for decades. With these inherited habits come the sins that cause deterioration and disease.

Some of these habits are, temper flare-ups, overindulging in food or drink, smoking, blame, unforgiveness, laziness, and the list goes on. In other words, we learn the habits that become strongholds that cause what appears to be a generational disease.

What can be done about this stronghold of generational disease and how can we rid ourselves of it, even though it appears to have been passed down for generations?

5 Biblical tips on overcoming generational disease:

1. Seek out the main cause once you recognize an illness that appears to be passed down to you. High blood pressure, for example, may be caused by improper eating habits, lack of exercise, or something simple like not drinking enough water. Things you learned from others in your family.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

2. Ask God in prayer for the strength you need to overcome a habit that has been taught to you and may potentially lead to sickness and even early death.

Numbers 14:18  ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’

3. Ask for the healing Jesus has already provided. Jesus has overcome the sins of the world. Receive his sacrifice if you haven’t already.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free.

John 16:24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I Am]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.

4. Have faith that his sacrifice was sufficient for you to overcome what you believe is a generational curse.

Galatians 3:13 Christ paid the price to free us from the curse that the laws in Moses’ Teachings bring by becoming cursed instead of us. Scripture says, “Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.”

5. Turn from anything that may be causing you to harbor bad habits leading to sickness.

Proverbs 16:17 The highway of decent people turns away from evil. Whoever watches his way preserves his own life.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

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Free from the Stronghold of Imaginings

Before we can destroy or remove a stronghold from our lives we must recognize what the stronghold is. In this case, imaginings are ideas, stories, and thoughts held in your mind but that are not true or real. Things you imagined may take place or that may have taken place may or may not be real.

So how do imaginings become a stronghold? We know that when we create in any way, we need to imagine the project first. The bible talks about visions as the first step in a calling or mission, as in:

Habakkuk 2:2-3 “Write the vision. Make it clear on tablets so that anyone can read it quickly. ³ The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won’t be late.

NYC – Metropolitan Museum of Art – The Vision of Saint John 

 So, how can imaginings be so bad and how can they become a stronghold?

The truth is that they aren’t bad when the imaginings are used to inspire, encourage, create, or otherwise glorify God with good. When do we recognize how this gift of imagination has turned into a stronghold against God’s will? The bible talks about vain, dark, empty-headed, vengeful, and evil imaginings.

Farmer plowing (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Of course we are human, but we don’t fight like humans. ⁴ The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that is, their arguments ⁵ and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.

What can be done to avoid a stronghold of imaginings from entering our lives?

5 Biblical tips to overcome a stronghold of imaginings.
1. Be aware of your drifting thoughts? Are they pulling you closer to God and his will or further away? Do they glorify God? Or do they dishonor God?

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

2. Resist and rid yourself of any hateful, evil, vain, or hurtful thoughts which are the beginning of imaginings against God’s will.

James 4:7 So place yourselves under God’s authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.

3. Replace any influence that may be encouraging your dark imaginings with positive, affirmative, joyful, loving, and godly influences available.

2 Timothy 2:21 So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.

4. Be diligent in the things of God. When God has given you a mission or a vision, set your heart and life on it immediately. You know it comes from God if you have the peace of God and if it lines up with his word.

Proverbs 11:27 He who diligently seeks good seeks [God’s] favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come upon him.

5. Refuse to spend any more wasted time on vain imaginings.

Romans 1:21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and ^[a]godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

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