Yesterday, in the middle of a 30-minute at-home workout, I lifted my hands and thanked God for the strength to exercise.

Just three short years ago, I could neither lift my hands nor walk – a thought that was sparked by a message a friend sent me Monday. In her text, she shared a screenshot of a Facebook memory that was dated August 7, 2009.

The post, written by my ministry team, requested prayer on my behalf. I had just been admitted to the ICU with seizures and symptoms of a mini stroke.

“We are praying for the full restoration of her speech, her balance, and all feeling on her left side,” read the post. Well, today I am walking in the manifestation of answered prayers, and my soul magnifies the Lord!

As I stared at those words, my eyes welled up with tears thinking about how an allergic reaction to an antibiotic nearly killed me, but God spared me. He sent a breakthrough anointing into the intensive care unit and stopped the seizures.

Then, shortly after I was released into general care, He restored my ability to walk, talk, and think. The Lord visited my sick bed and commanded me to take up my bed and walk.

Oh, bless His name!

When speaking to one of my sisters Monday, she marveled over my current state considering my former condition. Doctors thought I would need long-term care—someone to feed me, clean me, and teach me to speak.

Had man had the final say, I would be in rough shape. But, when they expected a breakdown, God commanded a breakthrough anointing to be released.

That’s precisely what He did in the life of Jephthah who is easily one of the most obscure faith hall-of-famers mentioned in Hebrews 11. Jephthah’s lesser-known legacy is overshadowed by better known names like Abraham, Sarah, Noah, and Moses. But his story, found in Judges 11-12, is worth examining.

Jephthah was a skilled warrior and the son of a prostitute. Sadly, he was met with scorn and rejection. His half-brothers, born to a different mother, shunned their own flesh and blood and told Jephthah, “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family” (v. 3).

They disrespected and mistreated him then ran Jephthah out of his homeland, Gilead, to a place called Tob, where he led a gang of scoundrels.

Jephthah knew that he wasn’t expected to amount to anything, but just because he was an outcast in man’s eyes did not mean God had cast him aside.

Things were going to shift for Jephthah.

When the Ammonites revolted against Israel, he got his big chance. Israel needed Jephthah’s war skills to defeat the enemy. Suddenly, the man that had been kicked out was sought out. The ones that pushed him out the door came knocking on Jephthah’s door.

Now that’s what I call a shift!

“Didn’t you hate me and drive me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now, when you’re in trouble?” asked Jephthah (v. 7).

My, how the tables turned.

The folks that thought Jephthah needed them, now needed him. They were so desperate for Jephthah’s help that they made him an unbelievably sweet offer: if he came back to Gilead to fight, they would make him head over everyone.

Jephthah could hardly believe it, but it happened, proving that God can make you the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). And through Jephthah, God gave Israel the victory.

Fascinatingly, Jephthah’s name means “whom God sets free” or the “breaker through.” And Tob, the place Jephthah fled to when they ran him out of town, means “good.”

It doesn’t matter if people have mishandled you, expressed a low opinion of you, or tried to make you feel small.

I’m here to let you know that God’s plans for you are good. Regardless of who or what diminished you, God is elevating you and will be glorified through you. You ought to go ahead and shout about that in advance. Your come-up is on the horizon, and those who overlooked you will have to come looking for you.

That’s somebody’s prophetic word right there. Grab it.

I know the enemy hoped the adversity, struggles and pain would take you down for good, but the enemy underestimated the warrior in you and the anointing on you.

I speak to the warrior in you right now and command your faith and fight to arise! I am interceding for you and expecting a supernatural release of breakthrough anointing.

It’s the same anointing that invaded my hospital room and raised me up after doctors gave up. It is the same anointing that equips me to overcome challenges that should and would otherwise defeat me.

Listen, the same almighty God who orchestrated my deliverance and Jephthah’s comeback is commanding yours. The one who sets free, looses shackles, and binds the hand of the enemy is working for you.

Though you may find yourself in an uncomfortable place that you did not choose to be in—which we’ll call Tob—watch God make this work for your good.

Just remember, when God gives you that big breakthrough, there is something He wants you to do.

Wondering what that is?

I’m stirring the answer into your cup of inspiration: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 KJV).

As you drink down the contents of your cup, don’t forget the purpose of your breakthrough anointing. It is to position you to declare that the same God who did it for you is both willing and able to do it for all who believe.

Now, let’s pray.

God, thank You for confirming that there is a breakthrough anointing on me, and what the enemy meant for evil, You are turning around for my good. I rejoice that my negative circumstances are shifting, and I will have an awe-inspiring testimony of victory. I receive my breakthrough by faith! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!