In this Episode 3 of Insights on Healing Podcast you learn how God would use your situation to build purpose in you. Even when pressure stretches you, exposes you, it is shaping you into your purpose. Even though you are going through difficult moments, you gain strength from endurance and you depend on God more, you have more compassion for others and little by little you are building purpose even though you are in doubt, do not have the answers or see the answers in your situation, purpose is being built.

You are never alone for God is always with you guiding and helping you through your difficulties. Isaiah 40:31 says that they who wait on God will renew their strength, so be encouraged.

What do you do when you don’t feel strong anymore? Because the truth is—feelings come and go.

But perseverance?

That’s a decision.

• You don’t need to feel strong to keep going.
• You just need to be willing.
• Willing to take the next step.
  Willing to do what today requires.
  Willing to stay, even when everything in you wants to step back.
• Because perseverance isn’t built in the big, powerful moments.
• It’s built in the quiet ones.
• The unseen ones.
• The moments where nobody is applauding you…
  but you keep going anyway.
• For me, that has looked like the daily responsibilities of caregiving.
• The routine.
  The repetition.
  The emotional weight that doesn’t always get acknowledged.
• And choosing—again and again—not to walk away from what I’ve been called to.
• Not because it’s easy.
• But because it matters.

SECTION 1: DEFINING THE TERMS

First, let’s clarify what we mean.

• Possession is full control of a person by a demon.
  This is not possible for a Spirit-filled believer. The Holy Spirit and a demon cannot occupy the same dwelling.
• But Christians can be oppressed or influenced—that means external attacks, internal struggles, or repeated spiritual pressure.

Ephesians 4:27 warns:
“Do not give the devil a foothold.”

A foothold is access. If we allow it—through sin, wounds, or ignorance—the enemy can influence how we think, feel, or act.

SECTION 2: WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

Let’s go to the Word.

• 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 tells us we’re in a spiritual war.

“We take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
This means demonic influence can affect our thinking, even as believers.

• 1 Peter 5:8–9 says:

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion…”

Why warn believers if they couldn’t be affected?
Because we can be influenced—but we don’t have to be controlled.

SECTION 3: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF BELIEVER INFLUENCE

1. Peter – Matthew 16:22–23
   Jesus says to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!”
   Peter was a follower of Christ—but his thoughts were influenced by the enemy.
2. Ananias & Sapphira – Acts 5:1–3
   Peter says, “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?”
   They were part of the early church—but opened a door to deception.
3. Paul – 2 Corinthians 12:7
   He refers to a “messenger of Satan sent to torment me.”
   Even Paul wasn’t immune to attack—but he found grace to endure.

SECTION 4: HOW BELIEVERS OPEN DOORS

The enemy needs permission. Here are common access points:

• Unforgiveness
• Fear and anxiety
• Sexual sin
• Pride or rebellion
• Occult practices (even “harmless” ones)
• Generational sin
• Trauma or soul wounds

The good news is—we can shut the doors through repentance and deliverance.

SECTION 5: HOW TO RESIST DEMONIC INFLUENCE

James 4:7 gives us the key: “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee.”

Daily tools for believers:

• The Word of God – renew your mind (Romans 12:2)
• Prayer and worship – draw close to God
• Confession and repentance – shut every open door
• Community and accountability – walk in the light

Narrative: Welcome to Insights on Healing Podcast. Our Episode title is, “When You Feel Like Giving Up: You will learn that your feeling is a trick of the enemy and God is at your side.

I am Joan M. Blake, an author, and I am your host. Insights on Healing Podcast includes the reading of scripture, praying, reading from one of my books, or interviewing individuals who found purpose in their lives through the healing power of God.

The purpose of this podcast is to provide content which brings emotional healing and restoration to mothers who have had a difficult past and are currently experiencing difficulties. A focal point of this podcast is reflecting on scripture verses and praying for my audience. I pray as you listen to this episode, that God would bless you with inner strength, purpose, and provide you with the hope that you have been longing for.

What is your situation like that makes you feel like giving up. If you are a student, you have a lot of classes and papers to finish and you feel overwhelmed, you may be in a marriage and you are feeling lost and bewildered, you may be a mother or a caregiver and you are burned out. Whatever your situation, you feel lost and you feel like giving up, but that is not God’s answer for you regardless of the situation you are in. I want you to look at the following list of five scriptures that should encourage you to look up:

1. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

2. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

3. Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV) – “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

4. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) – “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

5.Philippians 4:13 (NIV) – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Outro:

Thank you for listening to “Insights on Healing Podcast. If you enjoy the Podcast, please subscribe wherever you listen to your podcast or subscribe to my channel, Overcoming Life Issues, with Joan M. Blake, author. I want to also encourage you to join our monthly newsletter at https://joanmblake.com. If you need prayer, please send me an email at Joan@joanmblake.com. Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless and keep you in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Narrative: Welcome to Insights on Healing Podcast. Our Episode title is, Give God your worries even when you are at your worse. You will learn how God is your refuge.

I am Joan M. Blake, an author, and I am your host. Insights on Healing Podcast includes the reading of scripture, praying, reading from one of my books, or interviewing individuals who found purpose in their lives through the healing power of God.

The purpose of this podcast is to provide content which brings emotional healing and restoration to mothers who have had a difficult past and are currently experiencing difficulties. A focal point of this podcast is reflecting on scripture verses and praying for my audience. I pray as you listen to this episode, that God would bless you with inner strength, purpose, and provide you with the hope that you have been longing for.

I am reading Psalm 61 verses 1-4 from the NIV version of the BIBle

Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.

2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.[b]
5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Reflection: We notice that this is a Psalm of David who called upon God numerous times when he was in trouble. He is asking God to hear his cry and tells God he has called him from afar, explaining the great need that he has, and reminding God that he has been his refuge and strong tower against his enemies and how he yearns to be in God’s tent and be in the shelter of God’s wings. He continues to let God know that God has heard his vows and God has given him the heritage because he fears God.

Let us pray: Father like David, we bow before you and reverenced your name, that is higher than every other name in heaven and earth. We call upon you and bring our life issues before you and ask for you to help us Lord, God. We ask for healing not only for our children but for those around the world who are ill and suffering from lack of food and care. We ask for a breakthrough Lord, for you are able to hear and answer our cries. Thank you for listening and answering our prayers in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Outro:

Thank you for listening to “Insights on Healing Podcast. If you enjoy the Podcast, please subscribe wherever you listen to your podcast or subscribe to my channel, Overcoming Life Issues, with Joan M. Blake, author. I want to also encourage you to join our monthly newsletter at https://joanmblake.com. If you need prayer, please send me an email at Joan@joanmblake.com. May God bless and keep you in Jesus’ name, Amen.