Daily Devotional

THE REMOVAL OF INTIMIDATION

August 12

eloved of God, do you have a loved one who seems to intimidate you? They seem to be so overpowering in their demands and personalities that you feel very small in their presence? This is unhealthy for you and for them. It creates a poor state of self-worth in you and they are guilty of cooperating with a spirit of "domination." In a marriage, this is very troubling, and it prevents the relationship from going to the deepest and most lovingly intimate levels intended by the Lord. If you are the one intimidated and grieved by this there is a prayer which you can offer to God to help you to grow stronger. Inwardly, you believe that that person is necessary to your life, and you cooperate with fear of upsetting the marriage or the relationship and are paralyzed by the thought of them leaving you or abandoning you. For this reason, you keep your mouth shut and quietly harbor hurt and brokenness which are never reached by the "healing oil" of the Holy Spirit. By harboring the hurt and sadness, you suppress your peace and faith from God to live a victorious Christian walk. This also grieves the Holy Spirit who wishes for you to have a very healthy mind and emotions about your treasure and great worth to this other person in the marriage. This is an evil trap from which you must be delivered. Here is the prayer: "Father, help me! I am so afraid that my loved one will leave me and not be happy with me that I have cowered before them, afraid to upset them even by being truthful and direct about my feelings. I know that I am to “love my neighbor, as myself”' (Matthew 22:39) I know that you want me to believe in myself. I know that I am a blessing to my beloved! I call upon you Lord to deliver me from this fear and brokenness in my personality, and I invite you to heal the wounds in this relationship now in the name of Jesus, amen!" Beloved, your Father wants you to go deeper with Him in His love. You must break free of this bondage to enjoy the presence and freedom which is waiting for you in the Holy Spirit of God.

Prayer

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Father, you know what is best for me in my marriage. I have permitted this person to intimidate me. I have been quiet when I should have taken steps to prove my own belief in the tender heart that I have. I have not loved myself to the degree of believing that I am the best gift that my partner could have from God. I know that no one would love this person as deeply as I do. Help me to believe in my own love and worth, in Jesus' name, amen!