The Spiritual Upgrade Can be Brutal

The Spiritual Upgrade Can be Brutal: 

Kingdom seekers, those with a genuine hunger for the deeper things of God, will understand the weight of this truth: spiritual upgrade can be brutal.

At a certain point, during the quiet hours, a profound realization dawns on us that the abundant life promised is not a leisurely stroll through a perpetually sunlit garden. Instead, it often feels more like a necessary surgical procedure, meticulously performed by the most skilled Hand, yet leaving us vulnerable and exposed in its aftermath.

I remember years ago, an apostle named Ron Breaux spoke a word over me, a prophecy that echoed with both promise and a chilling undertone. He said there would be a pruning, a cutting back so that I might bear much fruit. And then, the part that still resonates deeply: “One day you will say, ‘Lord, you pruned too much…'”

That word, spoken two decades ago, often returns to me. As I’ve suffered profoundly yet pressed into God, I’ve experienced subtle yet profound shifts in my desires, my thinking, and even the very fabric of my life. I recognize the truth in it. The struggles, the seemingly inexplicable losses, the wrestling matches in the spirit—these were not random attacks. Sure, the devil scratches and claws at the surface of our souls and our situations, but underneath all his ideations and strategies, there was the undeniable blade edge of the Father’s love, meticulously removing what hindered the blossoming of something greater.

Without the transactional suffering of recent years, I would not possess the spiritual clarity I have now. The lens through which I see the world, and more importantly, the Kingdom, has been refined in the crucible of those difficult seasons.

And yes, there is the glorious other side. Promotion does come. The enlargement of our territories, both inwardly and outwardly, is a tangible reality. Provision flows in ways we could never have conceived. Ancient doors of destiny, heavy with purpose, begin to swing open.

But let us not be naive. Like the angel’s words to Mary, a sword will often pierce our hearts (Luke 2:35). Our attachments to the natural, to relationships, to our flawed plans, to the comforts of our soul, run deep. When the Father, in His sovereign wisdom, begins to dismantle these strongholds, the tearing away can be excruciating. Things that are precious and cut to the quick will fall under the scalpel of His sovereignty, and often without immediate explanation. It is not the enemy who wields this particular blade, but the loving hand of our God, who sees the ultimate masterpiece He is crafting within us.

This process leaves me in awe. A deeper understanding of my Father emerges from these trials. I see His unwavering commitment to our growth, even when it feels like too much to bear.

So, I ask you, fellow travelers on this upward path: Are you ready for upgrade? Many of you have been asking, yearning for more of God, for a greater impact for His Kingdom. But I tell you with love and honesty, the cost will shake you to your core – necessarily so.

Are you ready to surrender not just your will, but your very preferences? Are you prepared to release what feels essential, trusting that God’s “more” is infinitely better than your “enough”?

I pray for you. For the unfolding of your destiny. We serve a good God, a Father who never fails. Lean into Him. Trust His process, even when it doesn’t make earthly sense. You would never truly want to go back to the lesser version of yourself anyway, would you? The upgrade, though brutal at times, leads to a glory that far outweighs the pain. Hold fast. He is faithful.