Barefoot Devotions, The How To Series

How To Overcome Unbelief

If unbelief is not counteracted with the promises of God and His word,  it is easy to fall prey to the enemy’s lies.  It begins with a simple thought of, “oh, just this once” or “it’s not really that bad, is it?” Not only does unbelief creep in through sin, but it can also find a way into your heart and mind but causing you to doubt God’s love and promises for your life.  Before we even know it, we have entered a downward spiral that leads to a hardened heart turned away from God.  If you let the little sins and thoughts in,  slowly they will morph into a wall of hardened responses, thoughts, and perspective.  How great of a God do we serve that He loves us unconditionally and His grace is sufficient for us? The most awesome God!  We must keep our unbelief in check so that we may live our lives to the fullness Christ intends. The Bible gives us this warning about the dangers of sin and unbelief:

Hebrews 3:19 NIV | Warning Against Unbelief

  So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice,  do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger,  ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.  As has just been said:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
    do not harden your hearts
    as you did in the rebellion.”[b

 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?   And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness?  And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?  So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Steps to preventing an unbelieving heart:

  • Fellowship with other believers 
  • Talk about your mutual faith daily. 
  • Be aware of the deceitfulness of sin. 
  • Encourage others with love and concern. 

Personal Reflection: 

How are you going astray in your walk with Christ? 

In what areas of your heart do you feel like God is asking for a complete surrender?

How can you make better steps to stay committed to your faith? 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

I come to you seeking forgiveness, willing to turn from sins, and follow You wholeheartedly.  Make known any areas in my life that I have allowed anything that is not of you into my heart.  As you reveal them, give me the grace to follow through in obedience of your will for my life.  Equip me with discernment to know when seed of unbelief are being planted and pluck them from my heart. 

In Jesus’ Name, I pray! Amen!

Be encouraged in your faith! 

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions, The How To Series

How To Overcome Discouragement & Disappointment

In our lives, we are bound to walk through trials from circumstances and experience rivals that provoke us and lead to disappointment and discouragement.  If we do not deal with these emotions in a Christ-like manner, then our emotions have the potential to spread deeper into our soul causing more destruction. The story of Hannah is one of my favorite stories in the Bible because through her actions we can see a proper course of action that defeated her problems and her emotions.

1 Samuel 1-8, NIV

1 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.

 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

In this passage, we can see that Hannah lived in a dysfunctional family and was greatly grieved by her barrenness.  Not only was she in a situation that brought on great embarrassment for her husband but Peninnah provoked her until she wept and would not eat.

Although Hannah was greatly loved by her husband, she could not be consoled by him.  When our heart burns with such a relentless longing for something in our lives or we are having to live out circumstances that cause disappointment or great weeping, we do not see anything or anyone except for this one thing we are seeking.  The saddest part is when that we are overcome by our emotions and we miss the plan Jesus has in store for us because our eyes are set elsewhere.  When this happens, we allow the root of bitterness to sink into our heart and grow roots that lead to resentment, hate, and negative attitudes.  As this root begins to grow, we question God’s sovereignty and love for us when we are experiencing trials, relationship problems, and a longing for something that hasn’t been given to us yet.  Emotions are powerful and unless we learn to control them, they will control us.

1 Samuel 10-18, NIV

10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” 18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

Hannah’s prayer to us demonstrates the necessity of being raw and honest with God about the way we are feeling – the ugly, the bad, and the mad.  She poured everything that was inside of her out before the LORD.  When we take our emotions and thoughts before God, He will show us His view on our problems and how to correctly proceed in our actions.  We see that after Hannah was weeping greatly before the LORD, she left her problems there, resumed her life, and her face was no longer downcast.

We can see the drastic change of Hannah’s attitude due to her praying and the importance of taking everything to God in prayer especially when the first sign of disappointment sets in. By following the steps below we can learn how to handle these situations:

  1. Honestly pray to God and bring your problem before Him.
  2. LEAVE your problems with God. Walk away and live your life for Him.
  3. Know that God is Sovereign and His will for your life is perfect.
  4. Praise and Worship Him through the trials.
  5. Receive encouragement and support from Christ-minded friends and mentors.

 

Hannah eventually receives her son from God who is named Samuel. He was the last judge of Israel and the first priest and prophet to serve during the time of a king.  Samuel’s characteristics were the best examples of what a good judge should be, and he governed the people by God’s word and not by his own will.  He was pivotal in Israel’s history since he was the first to anoint the king and usher in the Davidic line.

We can trust Jesus with the desires and longings of our hearts and all of our hurts and disappointments. God’s timing is perfectly purposeful.

 

Personal Reflection

What do you do when you don’t receive the desire that causes a deep longing within?

How can you learn to take everything to the LORD in prayer?

Do you have a hard time leaving your problems after you have talked to  God about them?

If so, what steps will you take to overcome carrying your burdens yourself?

 

With all my love and encouragement,

Hannah Boyd

Barefoot Devotions, The How To Series

How To Overcome Rejection: The Life Killer

At some point in our lives, we have all experienced a form of rejection.  This could be early in life by a parent, a friend, a breakup, or simply not being allowed to sit at the cool kid’s table.  Rejection has shaped and changed us and in some cases, it has prevented us from becoming who God called us to be!

Here is part of my story: My Story | Rejected To Perfection

Rejection hurts but the way we confront this action is crucial in order to live a happy and healthy life.  If we do not confront rejection then it hides in our heart waiting for the next chance to come out and wreak havoc on your life.

Here is part of my story: Stronghold Discovery: Rejected To Perfection

The longer we spend believing the lies of rejection and allowing them to dictate our decisions,  we waste our life that God has given us to live happy, free, and healthy.  We will live in a reality that is based on lies from the enemy and we survive on coping mechanisms instead of relying on God’s truths.

YOU ARE HOPELESSYOU ARE USELESSYOU CAN'T DO THISYOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH YOU WILL FAILYOU ARE NOT A NEW PERSON

Have you ever made a decision based on the fact that you are afraid you will fail? Or people will laugh at you if you mess up? Instead of stepping out of your comfort zone,  you decide that you will make the decision that will make you the most comfortable without fear of being rejected.

Do you overreact or lash out in anger during certain situations? Have you ever found yourself wondering why you act in such a way?

If so this is for you!

Here Are Some Examples Of Rejection:

  • Being dumped by a boyfriend/girlfriend
  • Being left out of a group of friends
  • A parent that was not in your life
  • Divorce
  • Infidelity
  • Death of a loved one

Fruits Produced As A Result Of Being Rejected:

  • Rebellion – Aggressiveness, Stubbornness, Defiance, Abusive Behaviors
  • Pride and Arrogance
  • Feeds fears, anxieties, worries, and negativity.
  • Self Mindset: Rejection – Low or No Self Esteem and Inadequacy or Protection of self: Self-centered, pity and selfishness.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 | We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. 

Steps To Overcoming Your Fear Of Being Rejected:

  • Repent, Pray and Seek God for deliverance and healing.
  • Accept and Act what God reveals to you.
  • BELIEVE and CLAIM God’s truth for your life
  • Learn scriptures and believe what God’s word says. You’ll need these to fight the lies that will keep popping up in your mind!
  • Forgive those who rejected you and move on!
  • LIVE in God’s truth and WALK in God’s truth (this is putting His truths in action when the time comes – we are bound to be rejected again).
  • Get out of your comfort zone and do something daring for God! Ask Him and He will show you the way. 

Colossians 1:14 | For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

You are redeemed and you are free from your bondage. Don’t live in it! Step out of it and into God’s truth and flourish! 

2 Timothy 1:7 | As I battled my fears, I knew I had to stand on God’s truth, and you do too. The fear I felt was not from God, so every time it crept into my thinking, I had to remind myself, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

P.S. Did you enjoy this post? Be sure to share on your social media feeds to help those who may benefit from this How-To guide.

You might also enjoy this How-To Guide pertaining to strongholds of the mind:

How To Slay Your Mental Strongholds

Be sure to let me know what you discover about yourself or tips you may have, I love hearing from y’all!

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Barefoot Devotions, The How To Series

How To Slay Your Mental Strongholds

I am going to be writing about my experience with mental strongholds and how I overcame the chains of anxiety and depression that ruled my life.  This is a very sensitive subject but after many weeks of talking myself out of writing this, I am doing it.  This comes from my experience and how I decided to battle these strongholds with the word of God, prayer, and a relationship with Jesus.  After years of depression and anxiety,  I realized that it was my outlook on my circumstances and the perspective that I had.  That perspective was steaming from the enemy and the lies he told me about me.


Lets Start By Defining A Stronghold:

Biblically speaking a stronghold is a belief that is a lie and has taken root and overpowered your ability to think or see clearly according to God’s view and what His word tells us.  This effects you emotionally, spiritually, and even physically.

Lets Look At The Cause Of Strongholds:

It is so easy to get caught up in negativity, a false belief system,  doubts, fear, and our circumstances.  We are trained by the media, by people, and the ways of the world to live and think according to their standards.  We must accept that we fight against unseen spiritual forces of the dark world and that this world is ruled by the dark forces.  Yes, that means demons and malicious spirits that are causing affliction in your mind, on you, and to you.  They have stealthily found a way inside of your mind and they are trying to take over.  Perhaps they already have.

For a cause to take place, there has to be a sin or a circumstance that negatively affected you.  Therefore, that leaves you dealing with the effects.  This could be your sin or even someone else’s sin that has altered your way of thinking and your way of doing things.  If you are unable to let things go, the memory that haunts you can have a negative impact on your life.  If we allow a certain thought to replay in our mind, we start to believe that thought.

Here is an example:  As a child and young adult, I experienced rejection from my dad who was an addict.  Although it was not intentional, his addiction stronghold was the cause of my rejection stronghold.

Ephesians 6:10 | For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Identifying Your Strongholds:

Identifying the areas in your mind that are strongholds require you to take examine your life – the past and present.  It can be uncomfortable at first but as we know from God’s Word, the truth sets you free! Once you begin to identify and see the parallels, you will rejoice in knowing the cause of your afflictions and reasons of why you think or do something a certain way.

Here is a list of the most common strongholds relating to the mind:

(Be in prayer with the Heavenly Father, ask Him to reveal yours to you, and be open to listening to His answer)

  • Rejection
  • Fear
  • Doubt
  • Shame
  • Hopelessness
  • Worthlessness
  • Negativity
  • Anger

Lets Look At The Solutions:

Now that we have identified what a stronghold is and the cause, let us start taking a look at how we tear down the strongholds and replace them with God’s truth about you.

First, you must repent and turn from any sin that is unconfessed.  Once we have done so we will be able to break free from any sin that is causing negative effects.  You must remember that God has already won the battle and you must have faith to fight through.

Second, you must know and accept that God is sovereign.  He is the supreme authority and all things are under His control.  Without Him, you can not win. You need Him to fight a supernatural battle.

Third, you must believe and accept that you are forgiven, our sins and past are washed away by the blood of Jesus! You have the power to live free in Christ.  This is His desire for you!

2 Corinthians 5:17 | Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Fourth, you must act!

Great! So, how do you act?

This will require you to put your faith in action and when you experience the enemy placing thoughts or past memories into your mind, you must exercise your authority in Jesus Christ to reject your past way of thinking and replace your thoughts with all good things that are of Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 |  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

Accepting The Past Is The Past

Unfortunately, the enemy knows about who you were and all the things you have done and said that you are not proud of. There will come a day when he is smearing it in your face and putting every sordid detail back into your mind.

When you start remembering the past, you must stop replaying past memories. You can not allow yourself to be controlled by your past – no matter how painful and haunting it is! It happened and it can not be changed! Get your head out of the past and strain your neck to look forward into your future! Your past is not there!

Philippians 3:13-14  | Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Renewing Your Mind

Romans 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

You must ask the LORD to guard your mind and to help you keep your mind focused on what is right in the eyes of Him.

Every day you have to wash and bathe in God’s living word.  It refreshes you and each day you will learn something new about the characteristics of God and how he truly feels about you! To renew your mind is to spend time with the LORD, read the Bible, and pray daily!

Taking Every Thought Captive

2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 | For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Every thought that comes to mind must be tested. Ask yourself – is it from our loving Heavenly Father or is it from Satan who is set out to steal, kill, and destroy?

With God there is life.

With Satan there is death.

With God there is truth.

With Satan there are lies.

With God there is hope.

With Satan there is hopelessness.

With God there is a future.

With Satan there is a past.

With God there is confidence.

With Satan there is fear and doubt.

With God there is boldness and bravery.

Life TruthHopeFreedomFutureConfidence BravenessBoldness (1)

Ask yourself, does this thought come from God or Satan?

If it comes from Satan, then you need to hold that thought captive, pray and ask God to slay this thought and replace it with His truths.  Seek His word and learn what He says in scripture.  Rejoice and praise God for the truth that He is replacing in your life.  Slowly, you will see just how each thought, especially thoughts that seem to be on repeat can cause depression, anxiety, and fear!

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this blog and if you did be sure to leave a comment down below and share across all of your social media feeds!

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor and encourage you to seek professional help to determine what is best for your situation and I am not encouraging you to stop current treatments.  I do believe that with physicians and the hands of our great physician, you can be healed! Almost always, there is a root cause and I do believe that we need to get down into the roots to properly heal.

The How To Series

How To Overcome Your Emotions During Trials

Often times we are stuck in feeling the emotions that come with a situation we have experienced. It is important to recognize these feelings and own them. Don’t let them own you. This doesn’t mean you can’t feel the feelings because you should, in fact, it is important to work through your feelings. You could find yourself living the consequences of acting out based on your feelings at the present moment. You may never get over the hurt you have experienced and continue to live in the past. These moments of overcoming are vital to your growth as a person and will light the way on your continued path to discovering your purpose and experiencing revelations from God.

Steps To  Overcoming Your Emotions:

 

  • Prayer is a powerful tool because you are communicating with God who loves you and has your best interests at heart. Be sure to allow Him time to speak to you. Sometimes prayer is simply being in God’s presence and allowing Him to do the talking.
  • Tell Jesus about it. Your time to talk – whenever you need to! Be open and be honest. He knew you would the way you are feeling at this very moment before you were even born. Talk to Him like you would your best friend. I say this because no matter what your best friend says, it may feel good and be the right thing for a moment. Jesus is the only way to obtain peace and reassurance for your situation.
  • Acknowledge how and why you are feeling the way you are.
  • Ask God to reveal areas in your life that need to change and where you were wrong.
  • Ask for forgiveness.
  • Be willing to accept what He will reveal.
  • Rebuke the feelings and thoughts the enemy places in your mind in Jesus’ name and plead the blood of Jesus! Remember that Jesus brings joy, love, encouragement, forgiveness, and peace. If you are feeling anything else, it is from the enemy. He will tell you that you are unworthy of forgiveness, love, and will discourage you from trying.
  • Claim the verse and ask Him to give you the peace that is mentioned in Philippians 4:7

I will leave you with this verse:

2 Peter 1:5-7 | For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

P.S. If you enjoyed this lesson, leave some love & share on your social media networks.