We may not even know we have one….but all of us do. 
Beth Moore’s definition: “A Stronghold is anything that exalts itself in our minds, pretending to be bigger than our God. It steals much of our focus and causes us to feel overpowered. Controlled. Mastered. Whether the stronglold is an addiction, unforgiveness toward a person who has hurt us, or despair over loss, it is something that consumes so much of our emotional and mental energy that abundant life is strangled–our callings remain largely unfulfilled and our believing lives are virtually ineffective. Needless to say, these are the enemy’s precise goals” (Praying God’s Word, p.3.)
In this definition, the word that jumped out at me was consumes. A Stronghold is consuming. It suffocates it’s victim. If we believe we cannot live without something or someone then that something or someone is a stronghold. If we don’t want to let go of a past hurt or continue to struggle with self-esteem issues, feelings of rejection, or grief, there is a very good chance that we are feeding a stronghold.
How do we stop feeding them? How do we demolish them so that we can be effective for God’s Kingdom?
We are not defeated. The power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead now lives in us. Let’s tap into that power!
We’ve been given the weapon. The sword of the Spirit. The great Hammer that demolishes strongholds. Pray Scripture.
Yet no matter how many Scriptures we pray, they will not be effective if our hearts are not in the right place. I think the best place for us to start is to pray a Scripture of repentance. Care to start this day with me asking for forgiveness to prepare our hearts for the battle ahead?
Let’s pray:
Father,
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me….You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take delight in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise (Psalm 51:10-12,16,17)…. Lord, please reveal my areas of pride that keep me from fully trusting you. Reveal the lies I’ve held onto, the rejection, the unforgiveness, the self absorption that keeps me from fully walking in my calling. Your revelation is healing. It is good. Bring it on!
Amen.
Much grace and peace,
andy
