In Pursuit of Breakthrough!

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Are you in pursuit of breakthrough? Have you been going around the same mountain for years? Have you had an unmet desire that’s caused your heart to get sick because of hope deferred? Are you tired of praying the same prayer day in and day out? Then today I have a wonderful word for you. But before I do that, I want to encourage you by telling you, just like the Israelites finally received their breakthrough and got out of bondage, you too will experience your breakthrough. The sun will shine again and it will not be night-time forever. Before we get to the topic of today, let us look at the definitions of pursuit and breakthrough.

Keys that will help you in your pursuit of breakthrough.
Conclusion

Pursuit definition

Collins dictionary defines pursuit as a quest or a chase for something. Not only does this mean putting in an effort and being intentional while going after something, but it also implies having a keen interest in the said thing and not relenting until you achieve it. Therefore, determination and zeal are at the forefront.

Breakthrough definition.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines a breakthrough as an important discovery or an event that helps to improve a situation or provide an answer to a problem.

Using these 2 definitions we can conclude that the pursuit of breakthrough involves tenacity, intentionality, determination, and persistence that will help us achieve a desired outcome that leads to the improvement of our current situation.

Now, let’s get right to the word. And to help us unpack, I want us to look at the story of Hannah.

WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME.

There once was a man who lived in Ramathaim. He was descended from the old Zuph family in the Ephraim hills. His name was Elkanah. (He was connected with the Zuphs from Ephraim through his father Jeroham, his grandfather Elihu, and his great-grandfather Tohu.) He had two wives. The first was Hannah; the second was Peninnah. Peninnah had children; Hannah did not. Every year this man went from his hometown up to Shiloh to worship and offer a sacrifice to God-of-the-Angel-Armies. Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served as the priests of God there.

When Elkanah sacrificed, he passed helpings from the sacrificial meal around to his wife Peninnah and all her children, but he always gave an especially generous helping to Hannah because he loved her so much, and because God had not given her children. But her rival wife taunted her cruelly, rubbing it in and never letting her forget that God had not given her children. This went on year after year. Every time she went to the sanctuary of God she could expect to be taunted. Hannah was reduced to tears and had no appetite. 1 Samuel 1:1‭-‬7 MSG

In this scripture, we see that Hannah had been barren for so long. And to some extent, she had grown accustomed to her situation. Her husband got to the place where he indirectly told her to give up on that desire and be grateful for what she already had. And that sucks. Can you imagine what Hannah must have felt? Are you in a similar situation? Maybe it’s not physical barrenness. But maybe there is an area in your life that has been barren for far too long.

Maybe it is in the area of finances, or maybe it is a business that you have been working on that has yet to bear fruit. Maybe it is a desire that you’ve had for so long that you have yet to see come to pass. What situation is it for you? Well, today I want to give you keys that will help you get unstuck and step into your season of breakthrough. And here they are.

Keys that will help you in your pursuit of breakthrough.

Resolve.

Hannah had to get to where she desired a breakthrough and was willing to do everything it took to receive it. You see you should desire that breakthrough bad enough for you to see it come to pass. As you can see from the scripture, Hannah was willing to isolate herself for a while to contend for her breakthrough. As you pursue breakthrough, it is imperative that you remain determined. This kind of drive will break the walls that are hindering your breakthrough.

Her husband Elkanah said, “Oh, Hannah, why are you crying? Why aren’t you eating? And why are you so upset? Am I not of more worth to you than ten sons?” So Hannah ate. Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary.

At a time of celebration, Hannah withdrew from the crowd to contend for her breakthrough. You need to get to where you are willing to do what others will not so that you can experience your breakthrough. You see, just because you have a desire does not mean that it will automatically come to pass. There is a posture of desperation that you need to have so that you can experience your breakthrough.

And in that posture of desperation, you need to do what others are not willing to do. Few would have left the celebration to go and cry out to God. But Hannah did. She knew she had to meet with God because He was the only one who could change her circumstance. She also got to where she was not willing to talk about her situation to people who would not even understand her.

Have you been pouring your heart out to people who don’t have a solution for you? Are the people you are venting to in a position to help you or are they judging you? Sometimes that help could be a shoulder to lean on or a fresh perspective. Regardless, if all the people you vent to do is tear you down, then you need to stop. Instead, focus on telling God. God always has a solution. And could it be that you have yet to receive because you have not asked God? Think about it. His word tells us that we have not because we ask not. Could it be that God is waiting for you to tell Him your needs?

Partner with God

Hannah knew she had to partner with God to see her desire, met. And so she made a vow that led to her open heaven and breakthrough. In what way are you willing to partner with God? Sometimes God can allow your breakthrough to be held back so that you can partner with Him. You see, God gave us dominion here on earth. And that is why He will do nothing unless He partners with human beings.

And that was why God had to send Jesus in human form and had to partner with Mary to see the fulfillment of the broth of Jesus. When God gives us gifts or makes a promise, He does not retract. That is why the Bible reminds us THAT God’s gifts are without repentance. You might be wondering how then you can partner with God. And this is my response to you. First off, how can your met need be used to advance God’s kingdom?

If your need is financial, you can partner with God by becoming a kingdom financier when He blesses you. And commit to doing exactly what you vow to do. If it is marriage, then let your marriage glorify God and be an example to others. If it is a business, let integrity be the norm and be honest in your dealings.

HOW TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEW

You see, your partnership does not have to be as intense as Hannah’s, but when you ask the HOLY Spirit, He will let you know. God will not fail to give you clarity on an issue when you ask Him. Ask the Holy Spirit what role God wants you to play in partnering with Him and intentionally listen to what He tells you. And just a reminder, when you ask the Holy Spirit a question, you should expect that He will speak and that He wants to speak to you. Because unless you expect Him to speak, you will not Discern when He speaks.

After all, He is always speaking. And again, you need to be sensitive to His voice. Remember this: you will only recognize His voice if you spend time with Him. So don’t fail to take time out to spend with Him. Anyway, back to my topic for today. Are you willing to partner with God by making a sacrifice that attracts the heavens’ response? God needed a prophet and Hannah partnered with God to do so although at the time she did not know that God needed a prophet. Because she was willing, God gave her a desire that met heaven’s need. Are you willing for God to use you to meet heaven’s needs?

The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to God’s Temple in the customary seat. Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow: Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain, If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me By giving me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline. 1 Samuel 1:8‭-‬11 MSG

Be specific in your pursuit of breakthrough.

Hannah was very specific in her 0rayer. She did not just say she wanted a child; she prayed for a son to be specific. God wants you to pray very specific prayers. What do you want? Are you clear on that? If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. Child of God, I want you to earn to ask God specific requests. He is your father who loves you and wants to give you all the things you need.

Surely if He gave up His son for your sake, why would He not give you what you need when you ask Him? In your pursuit of breakthrough, clarity is vital. You need to be clear on what it is you are waiting on God for. This is because you will prepare for it effectively and also you will not be swayed when the wrong thing comes your way.

Have Faith as you embark on your pursuit of breakthrough.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God because those who come to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Even Jesus told us that with faith as small as a mustard seed, we can move mountains. So let me ask you this: do you believe God can do it?

Do you believe God can do it for you? It’s one thing to believe that God can do it and it is another thing to believe that He can and will do it for you. After you have prayed, ensure that you have the faith to believe that God will do it for you. If you lack faith, ask the Holy Spirit to help you by igniting your faith. As long as you are honest with where you are on your faith’s journey, the Holy Spirit will help you.

After all, He is your helper. Don’t stay stuck because you are not willing to admit that you lack faith. When you are honest, you will receive healing and the HOLY Spirit will give you a measure of faith. Honesty and vulnerability are the keys that you need in your Christian walk. Never be afraid to use them. They are very powerful tools that will help you win the war when the enemy comes to you like a flood.

Praise and worship

Once you are done praying and petitioning, the next thing you need to do is to worship. As you worship, you invite God into your situation. And that is when the breakthrough will happen. Do not allow the enemy to lie to you that God has not heard your prayer. When you pray in faith, God hears. And you will always accomplish something in prayer.

Your prayers are not in vain. It was through the prayers of Cornelius that salvation came to the Gentiles. Mind you, he had been praying for a long time and following the laws of God before it happened. Sometimes the answers take time to manifest physically and sometimes they don’t. The truth however is that the answers always come whether it is when we want them to or in God’s timing.

Either way, the answers to your prayers will come. So worship when you are in that in-between place. And watch how your praise will shift your atmosphere. God intervened in Paul and Silas’s case amid their praise and worship. Their praise attracted God’s presence, which led to their freedom. Why not use that as well?

Conclusion

Breakthrough is possible for you. And God wants you to experience a breakthrough in every area of your life. First, because Jesus already paid the price, and second, because God loves you unconditionally. If you have been struggling in an area for a long time, I want to encourage you to press in until you break through. It is time for you to step into your promised land.

If you have enjoyed this post, I would like to encourage you to check out my new book In pursuit of a breakthrough. In the book, we delve more into the keys (100 pages of insight and practical, actionable steps that you can take). And in it, you will also find thought-provoking questions to help you get unstuck. As we step into a new year, decide to do something different so that you can experience the results you so long for.

In Pursuit of Breakthrough!