As we continue to talk about this idea of Strongholds, things we have allowed to become bigger than God in our lives and stumbling blocks in our relationship with God, it’s important to remember that just like bad habits that can take take us over, there are good habits that we should be replacing them with.

Strongholds have been defined as the things that keep us from our relationship with God. Sin that we have allowed to creep into our lives and hinder our walks. However, some of the many names given to God directly oppose these strongholds.

Strong Tower – Psalm 61:3, Proverbs 18:10

Refuge – Psalm 91:2-3

Fortress – 2 Samuel 22:2-4

Mighty Rock – Psalm 62:7

There are countless other references to this as well but the idea is built very well just in these examples. God is the one to whom we should run and the one where we go for safety and comfort.

The literal definition of a stronghold is “a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.” Often you will see a stronghold portrayed as on a hill or backed against a cliff because this would make breaching or capturing the stronghold incredibly difficult. They would be set up in such a way that even a small group of soldiers could protect against enemies with far larger armies. They were so entrenched that it was almost not worth trying to capture because the risk would be too great and the loss to your army would be too much to warrant the attack.

So when we talk about this in the context of our minds and hearts, we are talking about things that have dug in and are deeply rooted. So deep that we might think it is insurmountable and so we don’t even bother trying. Often these are created by ourselves in order to protect against something and we run to them when we are anxious, scared, emotional, etc. They have become the things that we go to for safety and comfort rather than the true fortress and strong tower, God. 

It isn’t a surprise to God that we create these strongholds in His place. He reminds us continually throughout the Bible to trust in Him, to run to Him, to focus on Him and not what is around us. If He says it over and over, He probably had a good idea that this is something that we as sinful humans will struggle to do.

So how do we tear down these strongholds and instead run to the true refuge? Well it’s pretty simple in theory and you all know the answer because we talk about it all the time. 

We have to do the disciplines (reading, praying, worshipping, being in community with other believers, loving others, etc). We need to be close with Him and keep him at the forefront of our minds. We need to constantly remind ourselves of the truth and stay connected to the source of our strength (the Holy Spirit). 

A lot of times we want some magical answer on how to kick ourselves into doing the disciplines because we always end up failing to do them. But the answer always comes back to you just gotta do it. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes and the stronger the habit is.

The disciplines are things we should be doing everyday regardless of any program or church or anyone saying you should do it. It is the things that keep us connected to God and keep the truth in our hearts and minds. The disciplines should be what we replace our strongholds with. Instead of the sin or lies that we have gotten so comfortable with running to, we need to run to the things that will bring life and peace and joy. We can actively combat and break down strongholds by doing the things God has called us to do.

Now each of us will also need to combat specific strongholds in different ways and will need to pray and reflect with God on how He wants us to fight them. However, these disciplines are universal. These will always bring us closer to him and further from the enemy. They will reinforce us against the attacks and lies of the enemy and place us safely on the Mighty Rock. 

So, this week the challenge won’t be complex or hard to understand, but it will take being intentional and choosing it each day over other things.

Challenge:

Each day this week do the following and send in the record on Thursday 

• Read the Bible at least 10 minutes everyday (record what you read each day)
• Pray for at least 5 minutes uninterrupted each day (record that you prayed each day and when)
• Listen and worship to at least 1 worship song each day (record what you listened to)

Note: You don’t need to do all of these at one time. You can do them throughout the day. Altogether these amount to less than 20 minutes each day. So while it can seem like a lot, I know that all of you can find time throughout your days to do this.

Don’t make this just a checklist of things you have to do. Be intentional, in the moment, and take these things seriously.