Many of us have issues we are dealing with. When we take a step back and look at the patterns that have emerged over months, years and even decades, we can often see the areas we struggle in. At other times we know there’s a problem, yet we can’t see the forest for the trees and may need some help from someone we trust or a professional.

Maybe we struggle with alcohol or drugs, believing the lie that they will provide comfort. Perhaps it’s overeating, hoping food will satisfy every need. Sometimes it might be gossiping and judging others, looking for opportunities to run them down in an effort to feel better about ourselves and gain a sense of status and self-righteousness. Possibly it is gambling, with the false expectation that receiving a huge windfall will solve all of life’s problems. Or maybe shopping is a problem and we constantly spend beyond our means thinking possessing things will soothe our souls. It could be the need to be needed, to avoid ever having to be alone. Alternatively it may be perfectionism, or competitiveness, believing if we are perfect or the best we are acceptable, lovable and worthy.

All of these are false God’s that will never provide the comfort, love and peace we need and desire. God graces us with comfort, peace, love and joy. We can’t earn it.

Recently, an old tormentor of mine reinstated itself in my life. Many years ago I was diagnosed with an eating disorder. In the last 45 years I have had times of struggle and times of triumph. In recent years I believed I was healed and it was behind me. However, after a bout of illness it reappeared.

Old habits have a tendency to return with a vengeance when given an opportunity to rear their ugly head. They come powerfully upon us and often overwhelm us.

Small things we do invite these unhealthy ways of “coping” back into our lives. Binging became a daily occurrence and seemed insurmountable in the natural.

I wrestled with this on a daily basis but gave in every evening. Eventually, I confided in a good, godly friend of mine. She kindly prayed for me. However, little changed. I was left wondering had my God abandoned me? Was I too broken to be fixed?

I felt a failure, battled, bruised and defeated. When I finally cried out to the Lord in desperation, he gently convicted me of my wilfulness. I had continually decided to ignore his promptings to transform my thinking and my behaviour. I had chosen instant gratification to soothe my aching soul instead of turning to Him.

I had invited the spirit of gluttony back into my life and he had taken up residence with some of his buddies.

“Now when the unclean spirit comes out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they come in and live there; and the last condition of that person becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”

Matthew 12:43-45 NASB

It is humbling to say it was there in plain sight, however, I hadn’t been able to discern what had been happening. Once I submitted to God and repented (changed my mind and reoriented myself to Him), I cast it out. I asked for God’s help and pledged to attentively listen to and follow the guidance of Holy Spirit.

The following day I found myself at my local shop with the food of concern in my hands. I stopped, delved deep and asked Holy Spirit for help. He told me to return the food and walk out of the shop. The battle in my mind took less than 30 seconds. I obeyed.

Something I thought was invincible was surprisingly simple to defeat. God is strong where we are weak and we can lean on Him. Each day since it has become easier. The peace and joy of the Lord have returned to me. When we keep our eyes on Jesus and continue to be intimate with Holy Spirit we will be transformed and freed from enslavement to substances and unhelpful behaviours.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Luke 4:18-19 NKJV

I invite you to consider today, is there something in your life, some pattern or behaviour that is unhelpful, weighing you down and calling you into captivity? Ask Holy Spirit to reveal it to you. If He shows you something, hand it to Jesus, repent, cast it out and ask His help. Holy Spirit will guide and comfort you. I promise it will be easier than you think and the rewards are greater than you can imagine.

I hope this blog has blessed you today. I’d love to hear from you and I promise I will respond. If you would like to comment or subscribe, please fill out the section below. God bless you and your family.