One of the challenges of transition is understanding how to exit one phase or stage of life and enter the next one. Jesus was tested in the wilderness while going into His ministry and tested even more in Gethsemane when transitioning out.
You are the most vulnerable during strategic times of transition.
There are 3 powerfully clarifying questions we’ve learned to use in times of transition:
- “WHO will I need to BE NOW, that I’ve never been before?”
And the next key question:
- “WHAT will I need to DO NOW that I’ve never done before?”
Which leads to the ultimate question: In light of who I need to be and what I need to do…
- “WHO will God be for me now that He has never been before? What aspect(s) of God do I need to draw upon?”
Now, what does this mean?
- You must tap into parts of yourself never previously developed. The moment you enter into a real transition, one in which the phase of your life is going to shift, you’ll really have to show up in a whole new way. This means tapping into everything you’ve ever learned and everything you’ve ever done. You’re exercising new muscles, new awareness; you’re exploring new space. It’s the extension of your authentic self. It’s your heavenly identity at a whole new level. It’s a place you’ve never been before. Give yourself permission to be uncomfortable.
- You will face opposition from spiritual forces. When you begin to step into your season of transition, the spiritual world will try to lock you up in the old pattern. This is like the children of Israel trying to cross over into the Promised Land. There was a very real demarcation between where they were and where they were going. Only after they made the shift would a new beginning unfold. What was it that inhibited that transition? It was the old habits that didn’t die in the wilderness! What was waiting for them? A land of prophetic promises; their Promised Land.
How does the devil attempt to hold you back from transition? He does this by imposing outside resistance from some source aligned with his evil intent. This could be political, legal, or even occultic. But this is not an easy option for the devil and requires a lot of resources. Satan would much rather have you self-disqualify. He will aim his arrows at you personally. He will bring up your history, your old patterns, old fears, and old iniquities. Sometimes the very people you need to avoid start crossing your path.
Jesus warned His disciples to “watch.” This word involves watching what is coming up in you as well as what is developing in the environment around you. He is sympathetic to your battle, which is why He told His disciples to pray because “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
This could be translated as “Your spirit man wants to do the right thing but your emotions and your untrained senses will overpower your spirit. Your natural man is weak. Fail to pray and you’ll be frightened and intimidated and will want to run.”
Friends, let nothing keep you back from your transition! “Watch” what’s coming up in you and watch what’s going on around you!
Question: Are you entering into a new season? What are some tactics that the devil is using to block you from your Promised Land? What words of the Lord are you standing on for victory? Perhaps you were previously unaware, but now your eyes are open to the importance of being on your “watch.” Comment below!
As One!
Lance
Aaamen this was so necessary for me to hear as I am transitioning into a ministry to the nations
A very powerful and on-time word! Thank you Lance!
Thank you Dr Lance for sharing so generously your ministry. I appreciate.
Wow this is exactly the revelation that I needed to confirm where I am right now which is transition. Thank you for your insight.
The Lord has taken me out of administration/reception work and is leading me into Counselling. I am out of work at the moment in order to shift into my new assignment to learn new skills. I have been taken back into the Deliverance and Healing Ministry. ( I have a great passion to set people free in this way from The Lord). The Job Centre wants to keep me locked into administration type rolls. I am resisting with all my spiritual might not to go back into my old employment. I don’t know what scriptures to stand on . Thank you for the warning to “watch”. I know where He is leading me. I am grateful for all your help and advice. God Bless you. I stay close to The Lord in prayer and give my life to Him every day and pray His Will into my life. The secret is to stay close to Him.
Praise Him through the storm!! 🙂 From the start to the entrance! 🙂 He is faithful, even in the “storm”. 🙂 Just keep praising; when things are still being “done” in the natural, just keep saying thank you and say it loud!! 🙂 x 🙂
Proverbs 3:5
PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14
KJV: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Excellent word, Lance.
I have been had favor in my mountain but have been feeling alone with few co-workers. The story of Gideon gives me courage. I am certain that God will raise up a team and the battle will be won.
Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ”
Phillipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
This is excellent insight. Thank you for sending this out
Thank you Lance!
Definitely God’s perfect timing for this message. I needed to hear it as I transition into this next season with a new business.
I’m standing on this promise found in Isaiah.
“The LORD Almighty has sworn,
Surely, as I have planned, so it will be.
As I have purposed, so it will happen.
I disobeyed the Lord and and in a season of self-induced consequences. I know I am forgiven, but am still in the “wait” for the season of transition to begin. He spoke to me telling me “you feel stuck in the here-n-now, when you’re actually in between the now-n-not yet. The promise above is just one Word He’s given me to hold onto. For No word from God will fail.
Because i want this transition as easy as possible and take care of all thetemptations and what ifsand let me sail right through to my new season of blessings and take care of those things the devil throws at me.