I Have Permission

Renewal, restoration and permission to prevail.

Context: David's Mid-Life Crisis

1 Samuel 30:3-15

"But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God."

"And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And [God] answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all."

David is in transition; estranged from Saul, aligned temporarily with the Philistines.

Sometimes your enemies feel safer than your friends.

Before acting, David asked God for direction - he didn't move without divine permission.

The Weight of Leadership

In leadership, people forget you're human.

"You've got to be tough to lead."

Leaders must:

• Manage their moods.

• Avoid decisions based on fluctuating feelings.

• Recognize: Feelings aren't facts.

• Avoid emotional decisions - because emotions pass, but decisions linger.

Encouragement and Renewal

Sometimes you have to encourage yourself - no one else can do it for you.

Encouragement lifts you high enough to hear from God.

If you stay too low, discouragement can block divine direction.

"The courage you need to survive must come from within."

Depression is often anger turned inward.

"You don't have time to be bitter - you've got to become better."

Permission from God

Divine permission is greater than human approval.

"You don't need man's approval when you already have God's permission."

Permission is the seal of God's timing.

Every open door is an announcement from heaven.

Obedience activates permission.

Even Jesus received divine permission before beginning His ministry.

Self-permission (believing you're worthy) prepares you to receive God's permission.

The Ability to Pivot

Life is full of shifts - what's exhilarating can also be nauseating.

Flexibility is key: people who cannot pivot become rigid and dangerous.

"If you don't learn to pivot, you'll miss what God has for you."

Reception and reaction matter - you response can determine what's released into your life.

The Paralysis of Pain

Pain can freeze progress and paralyze decision-making.

Trauma can dismantle courage.

But you have permission to:

• Heal

• Get up again

• Pursue and prevail

"Fight back - God has given you permission to recover all."

The Danger of Pettiness

Pettiness destroys purpose.

"Any time you can't make up, you can't move on."

Sometimes the victory depends on overcoming pride and reconciling with those who hurt you.

God may want to use people you're still angry with.

Ex: Hagar had to humble herself and return to Sarai.

Get out of victim mode - your real battle is often with yourself, not the enemy.

Faith in Action

"Don't let fear deny you access to what God has already permitted." Praise God like you already have it back.

Take back your power, anointing and strength.

Decide to pursue - stand firm on God's word.

"You have permission - take it back!"

Refuse excuses.

The choice is to stay in paralysis or step into permission is yours.