At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, we had some unusually strong winds blowing through our city and province. It was a pounding and relentless wind that went on for several weeks. It was uncomfortable to even be outside and people wondered when the winds would stop blowing.

During this time, I often went onto our deck, faced the wind, looked up at the open sky above our yard and played ‘Catch the Wind” by Bethel Music.  Sometimes, I would just stand facing the wind and praying. At other times, I would pick up my flags, dance and worship on the deck and blow my Shofar. (I am sure it had my neighbors wondering what is that?)

In the Old Testament, as Israel marched around the city of Jericho, a natural stronghold in the Promised Land, the Shofar was sounded to announce God’s victory and the pulling down of Jericho’s walls. I play my Shofar with the same expectation of victory.

But the Bible also talks about spiritual strongholds that need to be pulled down in order for us to have spiritual victory.

⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but ^[a]divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. ⁵ We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

In these verses, Paul was talking about speculations (worrying and fearful imaginations) that have kept us captive.

To me, there was a prophetic message in these intense winds. I had a sense of everything being laid bare, sin being exposed and evil plans and purposes rising to the surface for everyone to see. 

But it was also exposing strongholds in our minds. Many of us have been controlled by fears and worries and don’t know why. But often they are tied to secretive strongholds or trauma in our hearts.

And the first step in destroying these strongholds is to find out they are there.

During these days, the fear strongholds that lay hidden and unchecked in our hearts are being exposed and forced to the surface. Hidden trauma and unhealed wounds are also being revealed as well.

God wants everything to be out in the open and nothing hidden.

As I stood there facing the wind, I felt that everything was being ripped open and revealed so that tremendous healing and hope could then be released.

³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32)