Hung Up with Hangers
Hi Everyone,
I have been going through many trials, and difficulties in my life lately, but we know that God will work things out for his glory. He works in us to will and to do his good pleasure. What he has begun in us he will bring to completion. What we need to do is remain faithful, trust in God and wait upon him for his solutions and his deliverance.
I have a vision to share with you today that pertains to patience and faith, conflicts and confusion.
The Vision
The Hangers
I saw a pile of metal hangers that were entangled with each other making a large snarly mess. This looked like a project that would take a while to undo.
When we come upon a challenge like this, it almost demands immediate attention. The impulse is to get at it, and take care of it. Organize the mess and make sense of it all. Put things in order.
For me, I like visual order and I hate clutter. I want to toss out everything that is unnecessary or no longer has a purpose. I enjoy throwing away items far more than collecting them. I have never been a collector. I am more of a minimalist.
I was an interior designer for twenty years and then God asked me to give it up. It was an easy decision, for I was already weaning myself off of the business, for I felt that its focus was way too materialistic. I enjoyed commercial design, for it seemed purposeful and made the workflow in an office more functional. I enjoyed space planning and designing custom cabinetry, furniture and the architectural features within a space. I enjoyed drafting with paper and pencil, and did not really care for computer 3D design, although I could do it, it lacked the peace that comes from the tactile experience of drawing. I also did residential design but I left the accessorizing up to the client. Being a minimalist, I have no pictures, no vases, no accessories and no clutter. Only what is useful and tasteful.
The hangers in the vision represent life that is full of people, situations, relationships, and internal and external conflicts. They represent complicated problems that are not easily resolved. Everyone of us comes to situations and relationships that are problematic and difficult. But no matter what the problem, I believe that the Lord is always the answer.
The Lord knows every hair on our heads. He created the universe and everything in it. There is not even a single thought in our minds that is hidden from him. The Lord is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. There is nothing that is beyond him. If we believe that he is God, Creator, Deliverer, Healer, and our Savior, if we believe that he is the Lamb of God the Prince of Peace, and Almighty God, then we should simply call upon him. He is trustworthy and answers. Hallelujah! He has our future in his hands.
We are blessed if he is ours and we are his. It is a wonderful thing to know him and to trust him in all things. We give him our troubles and he gives us peace. What a trade!
The vision of entangled hangers is about these complex situations that pop up in our lives. They may be trials that have been designed to draw us closer to the Lord and to test our faith, or even increase our faith. When trials come, we have to look outside ourselves. We cannot rely upon our money, our talents, our wisdom or our knowledge. We look to God for he can give insight and direction as to what is best, what to do, and how to pray about it. He has the solutions to every problem.
The Lord wants us to keep our eyes on him rather than the problem itself. Particularly if it is relational. The word of God and prayer are the best ways of preparing us to meet the challenges of problematic relationships.
We know that the enemy, the devil, is always up to no good. So we are warned to stay alert:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
This passage tells us that we need to be watchful and be prepared at all times, and especially when we know that we will be encountering a difficult person, or a difficult situation.
In preparation, we should bind up the enemy before the encounter. Otherwise, the demonic influence will be in operation to cause tension, spark conflict and stir up strong emotions. We have to act in an offensive way when engaging “hostile” people who just want a reason to argue or find fault. Our conflict may seem to be about people, but it is actually the wicked spirits that are behind the scene doing their work.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
If we know that we are to encounter people who are difficult at family gatherings, business meetings or church functions, then we have to prepare the ground. Prepare ourselves with the full armor of God.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10
We are given spiritual weapons and armor to do battle in the heavenlies. For even though we see things happening in the natural realm, the battle takes place in the spiritual realm.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:13-18
So we first bind up the strongman as part of taking authority over the enemy: the rulers, authorities, cosmic power and the spiritual forces of evil. Jesus said:
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Mark 3:27
We prepare ourselves by binding up the demonic forces over the house/office/church or wherever the encounter is to take place. Bind up the demonic forces that operate in, around or through the people in the meeting. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you holy boldness and self-control to only be led by the Spirit, so that your words will be full of grace, truth and nothing that stirs up strife. Unless you are led to speak in a confrontational way, which occasionally will happen.
“Choose this day who you will serve, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord!”
We pray for wisdom and his grace to use us in the situation. It is important to prepare ourselves with scriptures that help us to have the right attitude when anticipating a meeting with difficult people. These are examples to remind us of God’s ways of interacting with them:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. Romans 12:10
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:20
The tangled up mess of hangers can describe all kinds of encounters and situations. One thing that is also needed to detangle a messy situation is patience. We need patience with ourselves, and patience with others. Find something that you both enjoy and things you have in common. Remembering that a gentle word turns away wrath.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
And patience is not only beneficial in trying circumstances, it is one of the fruits of the spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Proverbs 14:29
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Sometimes it is necessary to get alone with God to untangle a mess. We need to see things from his perspective. It may be that he asks us to set up boundaries, or perhaps we need to step away from the relationship altogether. But that is something that we need to hear from God ourselves.
Years ago, I had a friend that I happened to meet at church. We became friends, but I soon realized that she had issues with God and many health problems too. I prayed with her often because of pain. She would get relief, but she was still not right with God. In tears I would plead with her, even telling her bluntly that if she were to die in an accident, because of her poor eyesight, that she would go to hell. I didn’t know what to do. She came to church to be with me, not with God. One day I heard the Lord speaking of her as a tree that bore no fruit. As in the parable, the Lord told me to wait a year, so as to “fertilize the soil of her heart.”
So, I waited a year and there was still no sign of belief in God, still no fruit. Soon after this, I was in worship one Sunday when I heard the Lord say, “You must decrease and I must increase.” I knew that he was asking me to step away from our friendship. So I told her that morning. For two and a half years we did not see each other. Some friends of mine from time to time would tell me that they saw her and talked with her.
Then one day at church she was there. We talked and I realized that she had finally surrendered to the Lord. It was evident. She was coming to church to be with God, not me! She had made her peace with him, and you could see it in her face! Hallelujah! A few years later, she passed, but I know that she is with the Lord. That difficult separation was worth it! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! God’s ways are not our ways! His ways are perfect!
Sometimes our conflicts are with believers. It may be that there are wounds that have never healed and deliverance is needed. Counseling can be helpful to a degree, but if the friend or relationship that you have is still acting as a wounded animal, being hurtful, or out of control on occasion, then deliverance may be the answer. God does not want the enemy to overcome a person with pain, torment, self-deprecating thoughts, or thoughts of hurting themselves or others.
It seems that a big factor in friends that can suddenly turn on you, and say hurtful things is due to underlying unforgiveness, and a bitter root.
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:14-15
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:25-27
Unforgiveness gives demons a foothold, “the right,” to torment or cause pain, sickness, disease, depression, anxiety, fear, sleeplessness and nightmares. When we refuse to forgive, the demon comes because we have given him an open door. Unforgiveness leads to resentment, and resentment turns into a bitter root. Now the person no longer sees things without a filter which the demonic power places over your heart, your eyes and ears. You no longer see things clearly, but through that filter. It affects our thoughts and our behavior.
Here are a few books about deliverance that can walk you through the steps to get free:
“Bondage Breaker” by Neil T. Anderson.
“Generational Prayers,” by Paul L Cox
“Pigs in the Parlor” by Frank and Ida Mae Hammond.
And there are also deliverance ministries that you can check out in various Spirit-filled Churches. I had to be delivered years ago, and my life has never been the same.
My Deliverance
At an Episcopal retreat, I went forward to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. After making declarations of my faith, who God is: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, and renouncing sin, the devil and all his works, and promising that should I fall into sin, I would immediately repent and return to God, the demon manifested.
I had two voices: the demon’s and mine. My body twisted on the floor, and the guttural sounds that it made through me were frightening. The Episcopal priest came over to me as I lay on the floor twisting. He asked me “Did you do this? Did you do that? I said, “Yes,” to every one of his questions. I did it all.
He commanded it to come out in the name of Jesus. But nothing happened. He told me, “You tell it to come out.” I told him, “I can’t!” I looked up at the ceiling, and called to Jesus. I said, “Jesus help me!” Suddenly, the demon was ripped right out of me.
I lay there on the floor and the first thought I had was, “If this was in me, what is in my Mother?”
She brought home the 8 ball, the fuchu sticks, and the Ouija board for us to play with. She read books to us on astrology, Edgar Caycee the sleeping prophet, Eastern religions and New Age teachings. My dad hated these things. He claimed that she had a crystal ball and a magic carpet.
As a child I was tormented by bad dreams, so I was afraid to go to sleep at night. I would study until my eyes could stay awake no longer, and I would fall asleep. But I would wake up with violent nightmares.
Back to the retreat–
As I lay on the floor, I tried to get up, but my shoulders were pinned to the ground, I tried to lift the right shoulder, but I couldn’t move. I tried the left shoulder and started to laugh. I thought to myself “Lord, if you want to keep me here, it's okay with me.”
After a while, I was able to get up. Everyone was standing around the perimeter of the room in one huge circle. They were praying and singing “Oh the blood of Jesus, it washes white as snow!”
I was so full of love, that I had to hug and kiss everyone in the room! When the Holy Spirit came in, the devil had to leave! I went up to the lay person who had us take the vows of what would have normally been water baptism, to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. I asked him, “Will that thing come back?”
He said, “Not unless you invite him back.” I said, “No, I am not going to do that!”
Then, we went upstairs, for the evening worship. After that, we packed our bags to go home. My dad, who had come on the retreat and saw the whole thing, got into his car and I got into mine. When the fork in the highway came for him to go down state and for me to go across state, we waved goodbye and then the demon came into the car with me. He said, “You’ve got to invite me back!”
I didn’t know what to do, but the Holy Spirit must have prompted me to say, “Lord send your Holy Spirit!” Then suddenly I spoke in tongues and the demon left! All the way home, for three and a half hours I prayed in the Spirit, sang in the Spirit and the Lord flooded my mind with visions of faces and faces. Hundreds of people I prayed for on the way home. I cried and prayed in tongues as I saw the road in the natural, and faces and faces in the spirit. By the time I got home my eyes were swollen from the tears. I thought, how can I explain to my husband and two children what had happened to me.
Somehow the Lord gave me the words. That night I was afraid to go to sleep for fear the demon would return. So, I prayed all night, lifting up one person and then another the entire night. When the light came, I called my sister in Florida and told her what had happened. She said, “Didn’t you know that you could bind that thing?” I said, “No. No one told me anything. They didn’t even send me home with a pamphlet.”
Well, for three days the demon tried to come back. I would feel his presence when I was in the shower, or when I was alone. I would just declare to him, “Jesus is Lord and you are not!” I would sing “Oh the Blood of Jesus — it washes white as snow!” Each time he would leave. I was finally right with God and I was not going to let anything, especially a demon come between God and me.
I was so markedly changed. All I wanted to do was to spend time with the Lord in prayer. I read the Bible and I cried for months every time I thought of what he had done for me. I was never the same. I belong to God and He is my Lord. Jesus is good and he is worthy of all our devotion. I thank the Lord that he gave me the gift of speaking in tongues. I pray everyday, many times throughout the day, praying in the Spirit. It is a beautiful time with God; it is when he reveals things to me through his voice, through his word and through visions. I feel very loved.
If you or a loved one needs deliverance, please seek God, and a book on deliverance or a ministry at a Spirit-filled church: one that believes in the gifts of the Spirit. The Lord is the one who delivers. My sister told me that she was delivered all alone with God in her “prayer closet.”
Once you are set free, like me, you will never be the same. I am so grateful for all that he has done for me. Jesus is my everything!
I hope by sharing my testimony that you are blessed, and that you and your conflicts can be resolved with prayer, the Word of God, knowing who we are in Christ and the authority that he gives us as believers.
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Thanks for reading. Please share this with others, for we all need the Lord!
