This was the thought the Lord dropped into my spirit a couple of days ago. If we are honest we all like and long for affirmations. But do we search for our affirmations in the right or wrong places ?
This is a trap I believe the enemy uses to lead many Christians astray as well as non believers. As humans we are born with a longing to hear words like; ‘well done’. Someone to believe in us, encourage and inspire us to become all we can be.
But sadly in a world with so many broken people, many children never hear affirmations in the form of encouragement or inspiration from parents, teachers or others in their lives. So they look for acceptance in other places. This can very quickly lead people to a place of desperation, depression, drugs, alcohol and potentially crime. Often these children are raised in an atmosphere of blame and shame. You can only pass on what you have. Most of these children’s parents had never experienced, encouragement or positive affirmations themselves ! Their parents in turn had nothing to give them ! So the cycle continues from one generation to the next !
Lord I have personally witnessed the damage and destruction this cycle can bring ! From a place of empathy this question formed. ‘Lord how do we break the cycle ?Then the Lord led me in the spirit. He showed me two area’s of affirmations that have the wrong motive and the wrong intention. The first affirmation that has the wrong motive leads the innocent and vulnerable into a lie of social acceptance. We see these young ladies and men controlled by organisations or gangs. Selling their bodies, integrity and life for affirmations that have no worth or lasting value. The second that has the wrong intention builds up a person on false self-worth, promises and expectations. Lifts them high and then drops them like a lead weight. As there was no solid foundation gradually constructed upon these individuals they fall over at the peak of their careers in sport and life. At this point the Lord really had my attention. For I had experienced this in my own life through a business collapse in 2002. He took me in the spirit to a final area of afirmation called ‘not understood’. He showed me a person trying to give affirmation through encouragement, but sadly it was misunderstood and rejected through a lack of understanding. We see this when people see others through a lens of what they think it should look like and as a result totally miss the heart behind the word or action. As the Lord showed me this, I could totally relate to it, as my Dad did not say the words of afirmation by heart, yet longed for me to succeed. He worked so hard to provide a pathway ahead for me !
At this point, I was in a pool of emotions. The Lord had read my life out like a book. I know that the Lord will never reveal anything to bring us to a place of shame or guilt. Only to reveal things we are ready to lay down, to form a greater tomorrow for us and generations to come.So I asked the Lord; why this and why now ? The lord said;”I want people to build a solid foundation for the next season they are about to step into”.He revealed to me that true affirmations can only come from a heart that is like His. A heart that can say the right words at the right time to bring conviction or encourage through Love. That can affirm or confirm direction, decisions and purpose. The author of the novel written from the beginning of time about you and me.
He put within us the part that longs to hear the words;’well done’. Someone to believe in us, encourage and inspire us to become all we can be. For it is simply a GPS coordinate to lead us to Him. That we would find Him and build a relationship with Him, succeed in life and become all He had written we would become .
2 Corinthians 6:18 (Passion Translation)“I will be a true Father to you,and you will be my beloved sons and daughters,” says the Lord Yahweh Almighty.
So here is your challenge today.
1. Ask the Lord to wipe your slate clean of false affirmations, lies and promises.
2. Ask Him to show you how He sees you ?
3. Ask Him to reveal His true plans and purposes to you for this next season we are about to step into ?
4. Ask him to describe how He sees you ?
5. Ask Him to reveal to you His individual promises for your life ?
6. Make a choice to receive, and honour encouragement from others in your life; while understanding that His affirmation is True and above all.
7. Give the Lord thanks for all He has done for you today.
Father, I thank you for this journey that has changed me forever. I ask, please help your children as you have helped me. To truly discovery their identity through You and receive affirmations from the right place, which is your heart. Amen
Here is link to Bible verses of the Lords afirmation and encouragement.http://www.encounterministries.org.nz/uncategorized/affirmations-from-the-lord/
If you have read this and you don’t know the Lord may I lead you in a prayer that will change your life. Simply say;
‘Lord Jesus I know I am a sinner, but You died on the cross for my sins, I hand over the reins of my life, I ask that you manage my life from this day forward, and be my Lord and Saviour. Amen
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors /Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
