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103 | Seeking God for a Breakthrough? Discover the Spiritual Key to Finding Clarity

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner • Season 2

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Have you ever felt like you were standing at a wall that just wouldn’t move? That prayer you've whispered countless times, the healing that feels just out of reach, the breakthrough that never quite arrives – these spiritual stalemates can leave us wondering if God even hears us anymore.

Drawing from powerful biblical examples, we explore how you can take a unique spiritual posture that invites divine intervention. From Queen Esther's life-risking fast that saved an entire nation to Jehoshaphat's remarkable victory without lifting a sword, scripture reveals that our greatest breakthroughs often come when we empty ourselves to be filled with God's presence. Jesus himself modeled this practice, beginning his ministry with forty days of fasting and teaching his followers to make it part of their spiritual rhythm.

The beauty of this spiritual posture isn't in manipulating God to do our bidding but in surrendering everything that distracts us from his voice. Whether you choose to abstain from food, social media, or other comforts, each hunger pang becomes a sacred reminder to turn your heart toward heaven. Your breakthrough might arrive as the circumstance you've been praying for – or it might come as something even more profound: fear transforming into trust, anxiety melting into peace, and self-reliance yielding to deeper dependence on the One who holds all things. If you're standing at what feels like an unmovable wall today, perhaps it's time to not just pray, but to fast and pray. What might change if you hunger for God above everything else? Join me in discovering how emptying ourselves creates space for God to fill us with exactly what we need.

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Paula:

Friend, have you ever felt like you were standing at a wall that just wouldn't move? Maybe you've prayed the same prayer for months, even years, and the answer seems delayed or distant. Have you wondered if God even hears you? Maybe it's a healing you're desperate for, or the salvation of a loved one, or financial provision when the bills are stacked higher than the paycheck. Maybe it's peace of mind in the middle of sleepless nights or clarity for a decision that weighs heavy on your heart. Whatever your situation, you know the ache of waiting for a breakthrough. That's today's discussion point. But first, funny story.

Paula:

When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos, there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices.

Paula:

Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula, and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review, and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today.

Paula:

Hey friend, I know what it’s like to feel far from God—even when you’re doing all the “right” things. You’re showing up. You’re praying. You’re reading the Bible. But inside, something feels disconnected. You wonder if you're doing enough, if God is even listening. You feel a little ashamed that your quiet time isn't what it used to be or what you hoped it would be. Well, I want you to know, you're not alone and you're not failing. God isn't asking you for perfection, He's just asking for your presence. That's what the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour is all about. No pressure, no performance, just presence. Let me walk with you into a slower, spirit-led devotional routine that will help you reconnect with the One who's been waiting to refresh your soul all along. Now's the time to say yes to peace, to say yes to presence. Book your Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour at PaulaBehrens.com /coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S .com /coaching (no spaces).

Paula:

All right, it's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal, and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in. Are you facing what feels like an unmovable wall, yearning for a breakthrough, but unsure if it will ever come? In moments of deep longing, praying can sometimes feel like you're pressing against a locked door, but God, in his wisdom, has given us a spiritual key in scripture, a way to align our hearts more closely with his, to remove distractions, and to open ourselves to his power. And that key is fasting.

Paula:

When paired with prayer, fasting has always been a way for God's people to humble themselves before him. Now it isn't about twisting his arm or forcing his hand because God cannot be manipulated. Instead, fasting is about surrender. It's about saying, Lord, I need you more than I need food, more than I need comfort, more than I need control. Jesus Himself told his disciples in Matthew 6 that fasting should be a normal part of their devotion. "When you fast," he said, "do not look somber as the hypocrites do, but when you fast, anoint your head with oil and wash your face, so that your fasting may not be seen by others, but by your Father, who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Paula:

Now notice that he didn't say "if" you fast, he said "when" you fast. Think about Jesus' own life. Before he began his public ministry, Matthew 4 tells us that "He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and there he fasted for forty days and forty nights." It was in that wilderness that he was tested by the enemy, and it was through fasting and reliance on God's Word that he overcame. When the devil tempted him to turn stones into bread, Jesus responded with scripture from Deuteronomy saying, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." What a powerful reminder! Our greatest nourishment comes not from what fills our stomach, but from what fills our souls.

Paula:

And Jesus wasn't the only one who turned to fasting for strength and breakthrough. The pages of Scripture are filled with examples of God's people seeking him in this way. When Esther learned of the plan to destroy her people, she called for a three-day fast. She told her attendants, "do not eat or drink for three days. I and my attendants will fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, even though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish." Now that collective of fasting was the turning point that saved an entire nation.

Paula:

Daniel too fasted when he longed to understand God's vision for the future. For three weeks he denied himself choice foods, meat, and wine while he prayed earnestly. And what happened? Well, God sent an angel with revelation and strength. His fasting didn't just change his own heart, it opened the door for heavenly help.

Paula:

Jehosaphat's story in 2 Chronicles chapter 20 is another powerful picture. When he heard that a vast army was marching toward Judah, he didn't call the generals into a war room. He proclaimed a fast. The people gathered, not to sharpen their weapons, but to humble themselves before the Lord. And God's answer came clearly, "do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle is not yours, but God's." The very next day, as the people marched out, they began singing praises. By the time they arrived, they found that God had already defeated their enemies. Their fasting and praying became the posture that released God's deliverance.

Paula:

These stories remind us that fasting is not just about going without food. It's about emptying ourselves so that God can fill us. It's about focusing our attention on Him with greater intensity, saying no to the noise of the world so that we can say yes to the whisper of His Spirit. In our modern day world of instant gratification and constant distraction, fasting feels countercultural. Yet it may be exactly what our souls need when our prayers feel stuck.

Paula:

Now let's get practical. Fasting can look different for each believer. Some may go without food for a day or more, drinking only water. Others may do a partial fast like Daniel, abstaining from sweets, meats for rich foods. For some, fasting might mean stepping away from social media, television, or habits that clutter the mind and heart.

Paula:

The form is less important than the heart behind it. God honors the sincere hunger of his people more than the exact method. What matters is that fasting clears space for prayer, worship, and God's Word. Each time your stomach growls or you feel the urge to reach for what you've set aside, let it be a reminder to pray. Let it remind you of Jesus' words when he said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Hunger is not your enemy in those moments. It becomes a signal that your true satisfaction is found in God alone.

Paula:

Breakthroughs do not always come quickly, though, and they don't always arrive in the way that we imagine. Sometimes God shifts our circumstances through fasting and prayer. Other times He shifts us. He gives us new perspective, new faith, new strength to endure. He teaches us that the real breakthrough is not only in the answer, but in the transformation of our hearts while we wait.

Paula:

I can testify to this in my own journey. There have been seasons in ministry when I felt empty, unsure of the next step, or deeply burdened for someone I loved. Setting aside time to fast was never easy. But in those quiet, surrendered moments, God's Peace always came. Sometimes the breakthrough I longed for arrived in unexpected ways, but more often the breakthrough came inside of me, my fear giving way to trust, my anxiety softening into peace, my self-reliance dissolving into deeper dependence on the Lord.

Paula:

If you've been praying and you feel weary, don't give up. God has not turned away from you. He may be inviting you to press in more deeply, to set aside the ordinary so you can experience the extraordinary. Joel chapter 2 tells us, "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." What a promise that is! When we return wholeheartedly, Scripture tells us that we encounter the goodness of his love. And fasting is not just an Old Testament practice. In the book of Acts, we see the early church praying and fasting as they made major decisions. Before sending Paul and Barnabas out on their missionary journey in Acts 13, we hear that they fasted and prayed, laying hands on them before sending them out. The early church knew that they couldn't move forward without God's clear direction, and fasting was how they turned their hearts to his leading. This is the same invitation to us today.

Paula:

If you are seeking God for a breakthrough, don't just pray. Fast and pray. Seek Him with your whole heart, lay down the distractions, open his Word, pour out your heart, and then wait in expectation, because your Father sees what is done in secret, and he promises to reward you. That reward may be provision, healing, wisdom, reconciliation, or peace. But above all, the greatest reward is always His presence. Your breakthrough may not look like what you imagined, but it will always be what you need. And as you lean into prayer and fasting, you'll discover that the true victory isn't just in the answer, it's in knowing him more deeply. It's in trusting him more fully and living more completely aligned with his purposes.

Paula:

If you're listening today and you know that you need this kind of peace-filled reset in your own life, I'd like to invite you to book an Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour with me. In this one-hour session, I'll walk with you as we pray, reset with peace, and craft a devotional rhythm that truly fits your current season of life. Whether you're desperate for clarity, longing for a breakthrough, or simply desiring to rest in God's presence again, this sacred space is designed to help you breathe deeply, reconnect with the Lord, and walk forward with renewed faith.

Paula:

So let me ask you this: what breakthrough are you seeking God for right now? And are you willing to hunger for Him above all else, even if it means setting aside the things that normally satisfy you? Because when you do, you're not just waiting for an answer. You're stepping into the presence of God who holds your breakthrough in his hands.

Paula:

All right, sister. If that sounds like you, book your Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour at PaulaBehrens.com /coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S .com /coaching (no spaces). I am so honored to be your guide on this transformative journey of faith and wellness. As an ordained pastor and Christian coach, I am passionately committed to helping women like you encounter God in a personal and healing way. With over 30 years of experience as a spiritual mentor, I will walk beside you in the sacred space between struggle and breakthrough. Through coaching, prayer, scripture, and the gentle power of essential oils, I will help you release old patterns and rise into your God-given purpose. Together, we'll weave biblical wisdom with spirit-led strategies to nurture your spirituality and create sustainable rhythms for your day. Join me now in this sacred space where clarity, confidence, and the presence of Christ awaits you. Book your session now while the Peace RESET is still on the table.

Paula:

Thank you for tuning in today. And remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more women like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next time as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into him and walking in his wisdom. See you next time.