Walking on Lake Waco Dam recently, I was impressed with the tons of rock, soil, cement and steel needed to hold back the lake water.

I was reminded that with God, there are no dams – His love, mercy, forgiveness and grace can’t be contained, they flow freely to us!

As I walked on, meditating on this wonderful truth, I noticed the spillway was silent. No water was being released, and the shallow pool of water far below was stagnant with a dried-up stream.

Looking up, I noticed a row of giant, steel-toothed wheels at the top of the dam which control the floodgates. They almost appeared to be standing guard, holding the lake water hostage.

I got the image of strongholds in our lives that keep us from experiencing the free-flowing, cool waters of God’s refreshing grace.

A stronghold is any pattern of thinking or feeling that is contrary to God’s truth. Yes, Christian, it’s possible to have strongholds in our lives.

Even though we are held secure in our salvation, we are held back from experiencing all the freedom, hope and joy that is rightfully ours.

Strongholds are stubborn – we battle them daily. Strongholds are irrational – they defy common sense and logic. Strongholds are uncontrollable – we feel powerless and hopeless. Strongholds are counterproductive – they steal our growth, our fruit and our joy.

Fear, anxiety, cynicism, bitterness, immorality, drunkenness, lying, anger, greed and materialism are a few examples of areas in our lives where we can be held captive by a stronghold.

What stronghold has you bound up today?

Unmasking what may be holding you captive is the first step to finding freedom. Examine any area of your life where you feel the slightest impinging hold of darkness. Throw open the bars, and let God’s light of truth shine into every corner of your heart.

Open the floodgates!

A prayer to consider: Lord, show me any thought, action or habit that needs to be set free!