Removing the Fox Fur
At the GPC Women’s Retreat, October 7th, Paula Friedrichsen had just finished her first session about “Coming Home.” She shared her testimony about the lie she’d bought that “He (God) was not to be trusted.” It directly addressed what the retreat committee had identified was the single most important issue to be dealt with.
Most women are bound by chains, by lies, by hurts and wounds, by false identity, etc. After her talk, she specifically wanted to pray for blocks and any blockage in our intimacy with the Lord. Bethany and Heather began to worship. Bethany spoke, “Most of us have given the Lord a lot, but not all.” For her it was a small stone, rather than a huge block.
As she spoke this, I had a mental image of women standing around, prancing and preening, with fox furs around their necks. I heard the scripture, “Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.” (SOS 2:15)
Most of us interpret this scripture to mean it’s the little things that can spoil the bigger thing. An example would be like baking a cake, but forgetting the teaspoon of baking powder. Another example would be dressing beautifully in a suit with gorgeous high heels, but having a huge run in the back of your stocking.
Trapped in Wraps
What I felt the Lord was showing me was that for many women, our problems or life issues – whether big or small – were what we used to identify ourselves. The blockage was wrapped tight around our necks and we didn’t even realize it. It was choking the life out of us. And yet, we thought we were beautiful. Notice that Marilyn Monroe’s fox fur actually looks like a python!
For some with the women with fox furs, the issue was pride. To me, it was pride that leads to a religious spirit, which rises up to crush the life out of themselves AND others they were in contact with.
For others, the issue was self-pity. There may have been some truth to pain or suffering. But their attitude was that of defeat and hopelessness. Things were not going to change.
Indeed, false humility—that feeling of not being good enough to be a daughter of a King—was another attribute I saw.
Convenient Excuse
The “problem” also became a convenient excuse. It kept them from saying “yes” to stepping out of their comfort zone. I heard things like:
“I know Jesus healed yesterday and heals today, but He can’t use me to pray for someone else. My life is a mess.”
“I can’t volunteer to head up or even join that ministry right now. I have too much on my plate as it is.”
“I don’t even know how to pray rightly. I’m sure He can’t hear me.”
“I’ve done so many bad things in my life. How could He love me… much less use me?”
“I’ve been put down so much in the past, I don’t even want to raise my head and become another target.”
Holding on to Offense
These women wore their fox furs like merit badges. “Look how much I have endured. Look what I have had to deal with all these years.” Although the initial offense may have been true and real, unforgiveness can take hold. We all know women who have a sorrowful countenance. Nothing you can say changes their outlook on the situation. It reminds me of Israel in the wilderness. Even after all the Lord’s great miracles, they wanted to return to slavery. It felt more “comfortable” than pressing on and pressing through.
Believing the Lies
For some of the women, I saw these fox furs as lies wrapped around their necks. I’ve written about this issue before and recommend my article, The Lie That Binds Us. The father of all lies tries to get us early on to believe a lie. Once we agree with it, the lie becomes a mindset and from that point on we’re stuck in it. The only way to root this out is to open yourself up to the Holy Spirit to listen and be guided by His gentle, affirming instruction.
God wants to set us free. His truth will do just that. But, and that’s a big but… we have to be willing to hear it.
