14: Victory over Strongholds
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
THE AUTHOR OF PSALM 43 faced an oppressive challenge that caused him to despair. The word hope in this verse conveys an expectation that God will break through that oppression and bring light, justice, truth, and joy.
I love the picture this brings to my mind of an unstoppable force, pounding through an obstacle on my behalf, clearing the way.
I do have another picture in my mind, though, and it’s me with my small hammer pounding on a concrete wall while Jesus quietly watches me try and do this all by myself.
What foolishness! We have a powerful Savior who is able to break through strongholds where we have given the enemy a foothold in our lives. If only I would turn to the Lord, the One who is mighty to save, rather than tackling these issues on my own and in my own strength. Can you relate?
But what is a stronghold? As the years pass, a person’s characteristics tend to become more accentuated. Strongholds are exactly that, they’re unresolved issues in our lives, which if left unchecked, can negatively impact us.
Here are three strongholds that we face in the 55+ demographic.
Regret. The question uppermost in the minds of many is, “What could have been?” There’s regret as we look back and wonder about past decisions and their consequences. We struggle, knowing that the years ahead are fewer than those behind us and we realize there isn’t a “do-over” in life.
Unresolved anger. We haven’t released the bitterness we carry toward others, toward circumstances, and toward ourselves, and it continues to eat us alive.
The attitude of “I’ve paid my dues.” This really is a form of pride with a refusal to get involved, to learn, or to take direction from others.
May we take note of what we are hanging onto and not allow the enemy to deepen footholds in our lives. May we turn to the One who destroys strongholds and brings hope.
Questions
- Read Psalm 43. What obstacles did the writer of Psalm 43 face? What did he ask the Lord to do for him? What brought him hope?
- What obstacles and strongholds do you face in your life?
- Do you find that you fight against strongholds rather than turning to God? In what ways do you do this? Why do you do this?
- In this season of life, do you find it harder or easier to turn to God? Why?
- Read Psalm 43 again. What benefits will you gain if you turn to God for help?