We know that a spirit is a mindset, an attitude, a disposition or an influence that governs the way a person thinks, perceives, interacts, or relates with/to people, situations, or environments. We also know that an orphan is a child without parents. So what exactly is an "orphan spirit" and how does one who may be struggling with this spirit overcome it?
I spent many years working as an in-home counselor. I often worked with children in foster care who were without parents for any number of reasons--death, abandonment, permanent removal from the home, etc. It was not uncommon to observe children struggling with serious challenges like Attachment Disorders, hoarding behaviors, hypervigilance, night terrors, as well as fear and anxiety. Despite being placed in loving, nurturing homes (many with adoptions pending) because of a traumatic history, these little ones had great difficulty adjusting to their new family and acclimating in an environment foreign to them.
That's in a natural sense. What about in the spiritual sense? What does an orphan spirit look like? What is its genesis?
We all have a basic need to feel loved and accepted. It's human nature. When these fundamental and foundational needs go unmet, especially early in life we are predisposed to the orphan spirit. Some of the symptoms of an orphan spirit are:
- Feelings of rejection
- Abandonment issues
- Resentment
- Envy
- Insecurity
- Lack of identity
- Lack of purpose; feeling directionless
- Deep rooted anger
- Difficulty building lasting, whole relationships
- Unmet longings and brokenness
- Feeling vulnerable and unprotected
- Feeling unloved, unwanted--a "sub-par" person
- Comparing self to others
- Covetous
- Never satisfied
- The need to be a "one-upper"
- Wandering/nomadic personality
- Feeling vulnerable and unprotected
- Never feeling "settled" or having "roots"
This type of spirit is rooted in a lie created by the enemy to thwart our relationship with our Heavenly Father. If not addressed, it will cause breeches that leave many spiritually crippled and maimed because the One person who can bring healing and redemption, is the One that we are resistant to turn to because we have been conditioned to feel that we are an island. A lone wolf of sorts with no recourse but to "go it alone".
Many things happen in our lives that leave us reeling--feeling alone and broken. Yet, the word of God says that nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8:31-35). The way in which to move into a place of wholeness, health, and healing from the orphan spirit is to go to our Father. It is to believe, by faith, that no matter what my experience is or has been, I am not a spiritual orphan. It is to take every symptom before a loving, compassionate Father in prayer. The more time we spend pursuing Him, the more the orphan spirit is dismantled. It will lose its power, grip, and energy in our lives. We must be purposeful and diligent in not relinquishing or determination or will to this spirit/mindset. It is FALSE. This spirit or mindset is relentless in its pursuit to hold the CHILDREN of God in bondage.
The Good News is we are no longer in bondage! We have been spiritually adopted and welcomed into the family of God. All we have to do is receive that TRUTH by faith. It may take some time to embrace this truth as reality, so be patient. When thoughts that are contrary to what God is speaking in
Romans 8 pop up, arrest them with the word of God. Encourage yourself with the word! "I am loved of my Father God!" "God loves me with an everlasting love!" "Jesus died on the cross for me to bring me into a relationship with my Abba Father (Daddy)!
Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I confess that I have been struggling with an orphan spirit. I decree that you are my Father and I am your child. I pray that you would increase my faith that I would be empowered to receive the truth of your word. I thank you for lifting and removing every false belief and lie that has obstructed my relationship with you. I pray that I would receive your love, care, and acceptance. Amen, and so be it according to your word!