Agreeing with God

“As Philip and Nathanael approached, Jesus said, ‘Now here is a genuine son of Israel—an honest man with no hidden motives.’

Nathanael was surprised, and said, ‘We’ve never met—how can you know anything about me?’

Jesus replied, ‘Nathanael, before Philip found you, I could see you under the fig tree.’

Nathanael exclaimed, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!’ ” (John 1:47-49).

I had a dream, one of those in which you’re aware you’re dreaming. Jesus was standing next to me, and in front of us was a woman covered in thick tar and . . . luggage. There were so many large and small bags they nearly enveloped her, and their weight made it hard for her to stand.  I knew it represented her emotional and spiritual baggage. The sight would have been funny, except for the look of exhausted desperation on the woman’s face. I wanted her to be free of all of it. Jesus heard my thoughts and said, “Counsel her out of it.”

I could feel her fear that someone would add to the pile crushing her, so I approached her carefully and asked if I could help. She shrugged, wanting to be free, but unbelieving anyone could do anything about it. I looked at each bag, identifying where it had come from in her past. She nodded as I correctly found the sources of her issues. I could see her struggling to get out, but nothing I said freed her. I turned to Jesus in frustration, and he said, “Watch this.”

The woman was now glowing, a gold luminescence shining from both her skin and the armor she wore. She had ribbons and medals on the chest plate, and a sword and dagger hung from her belt. She had a look of both joy and ferocity. The tar and bags were in a heap several yards behind her, her old life attached to her by thin cords of the black material. Jesus said, “Tell her what you see.”

I described in detail how I saw her—how Jesus always saw her. I recognized now what her struggles and battles had trained her for, what they had made her capable of, and declared those good things over her.  I saw the gifts, favor, and grace that were already part of her, and some of the powerful plans he had for her future. I recounted in detail her armor and weapons. Each time I came to a place there was a connection to her old life, I told her how God saw that area. As she received the truth about how he saw her, and who he was for her, the tether would snap off like a rubber band.  After just a few minutes, she was completely free of her past. Then I woke up.

I know your own pile may seem overwhelming, and letting God train you to see life and people as he does isn’t always an easy process. But it’s so worth it. Just as criticizing your faults and condemning your failures is death to your mind and heart, speaking in agreement with what God says about you is life, both to you and overflowing to everyone around you.

Let God show you how He sees you, how you’re known by heaven. Wherever He shows you places you’re tethered to old, negative, painful thinking, let Him show you truth that breaks off every lie the enemy wants to keep you bound with. In the presence of Jesus, you are free, healed, powerful, and glowing gold. Let your heart receive it and your mind believe it.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).