Every hard thing we face in life requires a time of breaking through it or we can become easily stagnant. Therefore, breakthrough is required in our spiritual life. Yet so many of us can sit stunned and staring at the hard wall in front of us. I know I can do it. *hand raised*

Through prayerful consideration I think these 5 steps are required to receive the breakthrough of the Lord. There may be more or less to add to each different type of breakthrough we are seeking but this is a basic list of the steps needed to consider to get the breakthrough. Whether relational, financial, generational, mental, emotional or physical healing – I could go on but these are some of the types of breakthroughs we encounter in life.

1. Fix your eyes on God

Begin to meditate on Him more throughout the day. Set alerts or calendar reminders if you have to to trigger a response to meditate on Jesus. His life, His purposes in your life, His purposes for this world. Your perspective will start to lift as you do so. 

This includes meditating on His word. Jesus is the Word. The Word is with God and the Word was God (John 1:1). So, put up scriptures around your house, your car, even your work space if you must! This is a breakthrough we are after! If we want to see different results, we have to start doing something different. Also, what we repeatedly see, we become. Let’s put the word of God in front of us as much as humanly possible! 

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2

2. Break Distractions. 

This can be as simple as removing social media apps for a while. Put your phone away from you while you are trying to study the Word. Turn off the television and really focus on what you are trying to accomplish. I think it is easy when times are rough to want to divert our brains to mindless viewing or scrolling but when you’re in a battle – you don’t get lazy. You war with your King. 

“Set you mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.” Col. 3:2

3. Rebuke the enemy. 

Resist his attempts to tempt you, make you feel less than or implant any lies or twisting of truths. The Bible says resist the enemy and he will flee from you.(James 4:7)

Replace lies with truth. Identify the lies you are believing and replace them with God’s word. Its not enough to stop thinking lies we are believing and turn from them, we must also replace them. When we break any bad habit we have to fill that empty space with something healthy to help the broken habit come full circle. 

Jesus quoted scripture when being tempted by the devil in the wilderness and the enemy finally left him alone. (Matt. 4:1-11) Sometimes its not easy to discern between the voice of the enemy or your own but I will give you this: if it creates anxiety, fear, makes you think less of yourself or others – question that thought immediately. After a short time you will find yourself easier catching your thoughts and bringing them into submission to the Truth of the word of God.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

4. Fast and pray. 

Jesus told his disciples sometimes this kind come out only by fasting and prayer (Matt. 17:21). Fasting is a way to yield to the Spirit by restricting the flesh. Disciplining our flesh so it is in line with the Spirit is key to receiving the breakthrough of the Lord. Sometimes I do this regularly, just pick a day each week to fast until dinner time for creating discipline in my flesh and yielding to the Spirit. But in times of intense warring sometimes I will just fast whenever I feel I need to. 

“..your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:18b

5. Praise! 

Breakthrough is in our praise. Sometimes its the last thing we think to do when things are rough but rejoicing and being thankful is the exact thing that breaks the spirit of heaviness. Whether this is a personal breakthrough or a generational breakthrough – praising the Lord while you are pursuing your breakthrough confuses the enemy and breaks his hold on you. 

Most physical things that happened in the old testament are symbolic for the things we are facing today. 
In the book of Joshua, God had the people of Israel march around the walls of Jericho 7 times and then with one loud noise and shout of praise they blasted their horns and shouted down the walls of Jericho. God told Joshua that He has delivered Jericho into their hands they just needed to shout and praise to see it. (Josh. 6:2-5) When we shout and praise God for the breakthrough, the walls will come crashing down. 

“It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the walls of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead.” Josh. 6:5

God is so good and He wants us to press in and seek Him for victory. We are called children of God but we are also called to be warriors and to wage war with God and put on the full armor of God. (Eph. 6:10-17) Keep pressing in and make sure you have done all these steps. Keep in your prayer closet. Keep mediating on His word. Keep resisting the enemies attempts. Stay in community. Fast, pray and then never ever forget to praise GOD!!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5