Claim It.

Prophesy.
That's a scary word to me... I hear that word & I think of false prophets, I think of people desperately believing the words of some stranger, I think of an abuse of power.
But like it or not, it's a spiritual gift of mine. I've known it for some time but haven't really known what to do with it. It's always made me wary, but lately I've begun researching what it means and how I can be a good steward of this gift. But more then that I've been researching prophetic words as a way to heal.
Being in Recovery Ministry, I often hear people saying "I just can't do it" or "There's no point in moving forward when I just end up in the same place" or "I feel like I'm beyond repair". And while I believe there is such vulnerability and sincerity to these words, they are NOT the truth.
Believe me, I've been there. I've been in that pit of darkness where the only thing I believed was that I was worthless. I've been in so deep that I thought there was no way out. I've said those words myself and I believed them.. for WAY TOO LONG. Some call it "victim mentality," some call it the "cycle of addiction," I just call it "the pit".
There came a time when I couldn't stand being there anymore. Where something within me started to say "There is a way out" and "You are worth more then this" and "You are already set free". The first step was actually believing the truth over the lies and allowing the light to penetrate the darkness.
But the next step, the step that truly made the biggest difference in my recovery, was speaking this truth over myself. OUT LOUD. This truth is from the very Word of God. The Word that IS God. And in the face of that Word, the devil must flee.
Think about it, if all you constantly believe AND speak over yourself is defeat, then defeat will come. Not permanently because the battle has already been won by the resurrection of Christ when death was swallowed up. BUT momentary defeat can seem like the end of the world, especially for an addict. And the enemy will continue to feed on that defeat. He wants nothing more then to keep you down in that pit. He wants nothing more then for you to believe his lies.
However, if you believe AND speak victory over yourself, then victory will come. Not immediately for most, but again, the battle has already been won. Yes, patience will be required, and adversity may continue, but in due time, in God's PERFECT time, you will be victorious. I pray that as you read this, that you claim it. And I even want to encourage you (as awkward as it may seem) to claim it out loud. RIGHT NOW. Take a deep breath, raise your hands to the sky & claim in the name of Jesus Christ that "I WILL BE VICTORIOUS!" Now say it again. And again. Say it whenever you feel temptation arising. Say it whenever you feel attacked. Say it whenever you feel a spirit of negativity threatening to pour out of your mouth.
Anyone can thank God for the promises that have already been fulfilled and the prayers that have already been answered, but FAITH, true faith is thanking God for the promises He has yet to fulfill, for praising Him today for the victory that will come tomorrow.
So here I ask you... what is it that you need to speak over yourself today? It may be big or small, but I want to speak it over you as well. Leave a comment with or without specifics, it's up to you and I will join with you in prophesying victory over your life.
The time has come for you to believe that you are who He says you are. The time has come for you to have faith in what is yet to come. The time has come for you to be delivered. The Spirit is moving here, now, always. Be expectant because He will fulfill His promises to you.
This, my friends, is the truth and a powerful one at that. I urge you not to shy away from the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, it can be scary at times because there is so much that is unknown, but The Spirit wants deliverance for you. So claim it. Claim deliverance. Claim a breakthrough. Claim freedom. These things are already yours, you just have to believe them & receive them.
Words are potent. Don't let yours determine your defeat.