My friends, be careful that none of you have a heart so evil and unbelieving that you will turn away from the living God. —Hebrews 3:12 (GNT)
Having established the importance of staying connected to God, someone might ask, What should I do the moment I begin to feel like taking a break? The answer is simple—attack such thoughts decisively, using the steps outlined below.
First, you must understand that anytime you begin to feel this way, it is neither God nor truly you—it is the devil. As simple as this may sound, it must not be taken lightly. Many people entertain such thoughts, assuming they are personal or harmless, when in fact they are a strategy of the enemy. The earlier you discern this, the better for you.
Having recognized this, the next step is to declare a period of fasting and prayer—at least seven days or more. Why? Because at that point, you are already in spiritual warfare. The most effective way to confront and crush the activities of Satan is to assume a posture of warfare through fasting and prayer. This must be done diligently, with the understanding that your spiritual life is at stake. As you engage in this exercise, pray specifically against the works of darkness programmed against you, and break the hold of Satan over your mind, your will, and your emotions.
At the beginning, it may not feel like you are making progress. In fact, the desire to disconnect from God may even intensify. Do not quit. You are fighting for your life. This is exactly what Paul the Apostle admonished when he said, “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you.”
—James 4:7 (GNT)
So continue steadfastly in prayer. Let it be structured and intentional. Take advantage of daily prayer times and remain consistent.
The third step is to return deliberately to the Word of God. Give yourself fully to reading and studying the Bible. Dedicate at least one or two hours daily. At first, it may feel uncomfortable, but stay with it and press through, knowing that nothing else matters more at that moment. The Word of God is the nourishment your spirit requires to grow strong. When your spirit is malnourished, you begin to feel distant from God. But when your spirit is well fed by the Word, your desire for God will be renewed and sustained.
Finally, cultivate the habit of worship. Learn to sing songs of worship to the Lord. Scripture says, “Sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts.”
—Ephesians 5:19 (GNT)
Worship has a way of drawing your heart back to God. It softens you, realigns your focus, and pulls you closer to Him. At the same time, be intentional about cutting down on worldly music and movies, because they drain you spiritually and weaken your sensitivity to God.
Today’s Rhema
When the thought of taking a break from God arises, attack it aggressively and refuse to entertain it.
Confession for the Day
Father, I thank You for teaching me this truth. I receive grace and wisdom to do what is necessary to remain spiritually alert and on fire, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
