December 29th, 2018, I traveled from San Antonio to Greensboro. After checking my suitcase and guitar, proceeding through security, and finding my gate, I was ready for my two flights (and layover in between).
My first flight was late leaving, which wasn’t really a problem, because I had a decent-length layover in Houston. But not long into our flight, we hit some turbulence. The plane was shaking and bumping all over the place. The turbulence was so strong that the flight attendants couldn’t move around the plane ... it was pretty bad.
Having flown many times, I have ample experience with turbulence. This was some of the worst I’ve encountered.
Quite candidly, I wasn’t terribly bothered by the rough and violent air. It didn’t threaten me or scare me. It did, however, tick me off. We were behind schedule, and I wasn’t going to take any more delays or pushbacks. It wasn’t so much that I was worried about missing my layover (I wasn’t), but rather that I discerned the physical opposition against me as a taunt of the enemy. And I wasn’t in the mood to tolerate any jerkiness.
So I started praying, speaking peace into the atmosphere. I declared that the air could not deter us and must instead move into formation to usher us forward. Almost instantly, the turbulence subsided. For several minutes, everything was smooth again. Until the turbulence came back.
I wasn’t having it. Undaunted, I prayed again, “Jesus is the Prince of Peace (which makes me a Princess of Peace), and He rules over peace. He’s come to rest within our plane, not only keeping the turbulence outside at bay, but destroying the turbulence in people’s hearts.” I pictured Jesus and Father touching different persons on the plane, restoring peace.
Again, the tempestuous wind suddenly ceased. Later, it tried once more to come back. Once more, I prayed, and it dissipated. For the rest of the flight, the air was smooth and the plane undisturbed. We landed in good time, and I still had a long enough layover to locate my gate, grab some food, and get settled before the next flight.
I know there are people who would chalk it up to coincidence. After all, turbulence is by nature inconsistent and unsteady. But I know better. The instantaneous peace that followed the prayers I sent out was not a coincidence. It was the result of a daughter who took her place of authority.
I’m not sharing this to say I’m some great person who can control the weather. This isn’t a pat-on-the-back post. My point is this: We have been given authority, and our authority in Christ trumps the enemy.
Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18, NIV). We are hidden in Christ, and He dwells within us (see Colossians 3:3; Romans 8:11, Ephesians 3:17). We have been given His authority – which means we have all authority abiding in us (see Luke 9:1, 10:19; Ephesians 1:18-23).
We have authority over storms. We have authority over the darts of Satan. We have authority over sin, over sickness, and over the world’s systems. Just as Jesus did and does.
Such authority is not to be used like a magic wand. ‘I don’t like the snow, so I command it to be summer all the time!’ No, that’s not what our authority is for. Our authority is to bring God’s Kingdom – the Kingdom of Heaven – to earth. We say yes to that which is of the Lord, and no to whatever is not from Him.
Cancer is not from God. Miscarriage is not from God. Death is not from God. In the Name of Jesus, we need to rise up and stand against these things. We need to speak what GOD IS DOING into our situation.
When you’re feeling sick, speak Jesus the Healer into your body (see Exodus 15:26). When your finances are tight, speak God’s abundant provision into your bank account (see Philippians 4:19). When life feels perilous and uneasy, speak the safety of your Father into your heart (see Proverbs 3:25-26).
You and I have voices that carry power, especially when we use them to declare God’s will into our lives and His Kingdom into our world.
Please don’t misunderstand me. This isn’t about turning your life into a fairytale. I’m not talking about calling forth a new TV or Porsche. Our authority is not to bring our personal desires into our lives. Rather, we have been given authority as sons and daughters of the King to rule this earth in a way that would please Him.
This is about knowing who you are, Whose you are, and what you’ve been called to do. It’s about binding – apprehending – what is not in line with God’s Kingdom and loosing – releasing – His promises and decrees into the ground we stand on (see Matthew 16:17-19).
Be bold and confident in who you are. You are royalty. You command authority wherever you go. Your presence is a threat to the enemy. His petty power is nothing compared to the might of Christ, which you carry in your innermost being. Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Stand strong today. Stand tall. The King of the Universe, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of all, lives in you. Follow His leading, listen to His prompting, and don’t back down when the enemy comes against you.
Walk in your authority, Son or Daughter. It has been given to you, and it is yours forever.
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