How to Conquer the Inner-Enemy
When the Enemy Is the Inner Me
Has your life’s journey been easy and effortless or painful and complicated? It is often easier and more comfortable to look outside of ourselves for the causes of our circumstances and situations when the answer and enemy is usually found within. The solution to conquering the enemy begins with us and the continual inner work that is essential for our personal well-being, healing, wholeness and successful living. If you are not experiencing the life you want to live or find yourself getting in your own way for fear of failure and or success, then the following steps may be beneficial for you to consider and implement in a spiritual practice:
Suggested Spiritual Practice Steps
1. Identify and clearly define what you truly desire to experience. Having a goal to focus your energy towards makes it easier to visualize, determine and plan action steps necessary for attainment.
“Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
2. Come into alignment with what God wills for your life. Be open for God’s will to be done in your life as it is in heaven. Spend time with God to help you know Him and understand His word, will, and yourself. You will be better able to determine what God wills for you and align your will and desires to His.
"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)
3. Meditate and seek divine revelation and guidance. Sit quietly, breathe deeply, release the head chatter and focus on your heart center. Ask Spirit how you are not showing up for yourself, what your fears are, how you are blocking your way, and how to address what comes present for you. Be open, honest and willing to go deep beneath the surface back to where the issues originated and the first experiences occurred, even into childhood.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.” (Romans 8:26-27)
4. Take every thought captive. Filter your thoughts and cancel, counter, and resist every thought that is negative, destructive, or does not serve you or your vision.
“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” (2 Corinthians 10:5-6)
5. Engage in and continue the process. There are lessons to be learned and issues to be healed on deeper levels, so just when you think you’ve passed a test or learned a lesson you may find yourself going through a similar experience. Its ok, God wants to strengthen and deepen your faith in that area and move you forward into your divine destiny.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
6. Ask for support when necessary. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Ask for what you need from those who are where you want to go, doing what you want to do. Avail yourself to healing and growth opportunities through entities such as group or individual coaching, counseling, spiritual communities or healing circles or workshops.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
The combination of our life experiences contribute to our mental and emotional make up, often creating issues that need to be explored, healed and conquered. When the state of our inner-being causes us to operate as the enemy in self destructive ways or shut down and not function, we need to seek out and implement ways that assist us in moving forward in purpose, divine alignment, growth, healing, transformation, confidence and victory as indicated in the steps above.
Be blessed,
