“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” - Proverbs 16:24

One thing about me, I will delete an app with the quickness! So, when the Holy Spirit called me to bring in the new year with a fast for the month of January, I couldn’t get rid of my social media apps fast enough!

Truthfully, I carried a lot of disappointment and uncertainty into this new year. So many things that I was believing God for last year simply did not pan out the way I had hoped.

Words like failure, stagnant, and impossible filled my thoughts.

The unmet expectations left me feeling anxious, fearful, and doubtful about the year ahead.

But we know that none of these feelings are from the Lord.

So, more clearly than ever I recognized that I needed a work done in my heart.

The intense mental warfare I experienced exposed that my list of heart issues was long and complex.

Many of the “unmet expectations” I had were a product of pride and comparison. Looking to what God had done for others and minimizing what He had done for me.

The overwhelming anxiety showed me just how deeply I lacked trust in God’s provision.

The fear and doubt revealed how urgently my faith needed to expand.

More than I needed another resource or material breakthrough, I was in desperate need of a breakthrough in my heart.

Thankfully, the Lord didn’t leave me there raw with all my wounds exposed.

Thankfully, the answer to heart issues is found in His Word.

And so, I fasted. For all of January all I asked of the Lord was for a heart that was pleasing to Him.

I asked the Lord to search and cleanse my heart just like the Psalmist did. (Psalm 139:23-24).

I kept fighting back against my negative, fear filled thoughts, and speaking His Word over myself. I have gained so much spiritual ground in this battle.

I wish I could explain the transformation I’ve experienced through this fast.

What I can say is that, if you choose to allow the Lord into your heart, the Fruit will be your only evidence.

Chain Breakers, we will not survive the chaos of this year without a fight. Now more than ever we must be sure of who we are in the Lord. Our focus cannot be divided. There is no room for flimsy faith in this season. We must go deeper.

So, I wanted to share some of the truths I’ve affirmed myself with throughout this battle. They continue to sustain me, and I pray that they will do the same for you as we navigate what is and is yet to come. I pray that they will help you to remain focused and grounded despite the noise.

AFFIRMATIONS:

1. I am free. (John 8:36).

2. I seek and welcome the wisdom and instruction of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:1-7).

3. The God of Justice is on my side. (Deut. 32:4).

4. My trust is in the Lord, therefore I am safe and protected in the midst of every storm. (Nahum 1:7).

5. My future is secure because God goes before me. (Deut. 31:8).

6. I serve a King who hears the cries of His people. (Psalm 18:6).

7. Even my mistakes are covered by the Lord. (Romans 8:28).

8. I allow trials to refine my faith and purify my heart. (Proverbs 17:3).

I pray that this year you would choose to go deeper, in Jesus’ name.

Today, I am grateful for a heart that longs to be purified by the Refiner.

Gratitude Prompt: COMMENT below, what is one step you will take in 2025 to go deeper in your relationship with the Lord?

Be free, Chain Breakers! And if the Lord allows, I will catch y’all on the next one!

Freely,

Latiera