Have you ever wondered why distress never seems to leave us even though we pray for healing, blessings, and well-being? ² Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 John 1:2

We need to check our thoughts, deeds, and words quickly. What is occupying our time, our money, and our attention? What words are we speaking? Have we been spending more time thinking about or giving room to curses over ourselves or our family than to believing God for blessings, guidance, help and healing? A simple threat might be spoken with good intentions, but a threat spoken over us even by our own mouths can set a chain reaction in motion for distress and eventual destruction. How you say?

When we speak words of defeat or fearful words of destruction over ourselves or our children we are speaking curses. Curses in effect cause fear and distress. When distress takes over it builds a stronghold and invites other strongholds. Strongholds of pain, sickness, fear, worry, and many others soon join it.

Thinking we are doing well we may say, “My son/daughter will never amount to anything.” Hopefully our intent is to have him/her prove us wrong. In effect we have just set his/her life up for a spirit of distress to enter and if this continues he/she will eventually begin to believe he/she will never amount to anything. This might seem minor, but every day we are capable of speaking curses out of our mouths that can lead to a life of hardship, failure, and defeat.

Have you ever owned a sickness? A stupid habit? A dumbness? A bad attitude? It has become a way of life and part of our personality to simply say, “my cold”, “my troubles”, “I’m always doing that”, “I’m all thumbs”, “you’re not gonna get me to change now”, and so forth. When we own a problem we invite that problem to linger, or worse, to stay indefinitely. Does that problem really belong to us or to the enemy? How can we change the way we think and act so that we see and experience the good and the blessings more than the problems?

Luke 21:34 But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose;

Which master are you serving?

5 Biblical truths to overcome the spirit of distress:

1. Give your life over to God. DO NOT rebel against what he tells you to do.

Luke 11:28 Jesus replied, “Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.”

2. Read the word of God (the will of God) and follow his instructions. The word of God is the will of God.

Ephesians 2:1-3 You were once dead because of your failures and sins. ² You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This ruler continues to work in people who refuse to obey God. ³ All of us once lived among these people, and followed the desires of our corrupt nature. We did what our corrupt desires and thoughts wanted us to do. So, because of our nature, we deserved God’s anger just like everyone else.

3. Do not give in to thoughts of destruction, sickness or failure.

Psalm 77:11-13 I will remember the deeds of the Lord. I will remember your ancient miracles. ¹² I will reflect on all your actions and think about what you have done. ¹³ O God, your ways are holy! What god is as great as our God?

4. Keep a distance from anyone who is feeding you bad thoughts.

Romans 13:10 Love never does anything that is harmful to a neighbor. Therefore, love fulfills Moses’ Teachings.

5. Watch your words. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth. This may take some time, but it is well worth the effort.

Matthew 12:37 By your words you will be declared innocent, or by your words you will be declared guilty.”

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.