Entering into new seasons amidst losses, injuries, and identity crises (2), By Ayo Akerele

Injuries on that Battlefield of New Seasons

One of the most profound and often misunderstood dimensions of entering new seasons is the reality of injuries. Many believers assume that injuries are always signs of failure, carelessness, or spiritual weakness. But Scripture reveals that injuries can be part of God’s preparation, part of His breaking process, part of His refining work, and part of His strategy for elevation.

Jacob’s injury at Peniel is one of the most powerful illustrations of this truth. The angel dislocated Jacob’s hip, yet this injury did not disqualify him. Instead, it marked him, humbled him, and prepared him for his new identity. Not every injury is caused by carelessness. Not every injury is caused by sin.

Some injuries are divinely permitted to break self‑dependence and force reliance on God.

Below are the major categories of injuries believers experience on the way to new seasons — each one preserved from your original teaching and expanded for depth and clarity.

1. Losses Due to Wrong Decisions

These are injuries caused by lack of discernment, foolishness, impatience, or emotional decisions. They include:

• Lost opportunities
• Lost investments
• Lost relationships
• Lost jobs
• Lost seasons

These losses can bite deeply. They can create emotional wounds, financial pain, and spiritual discouragement.

Lot in Genesis 13 made a wrong choice — choosing the land that looked fertile but was spiritually dangerous. His decision led to severe injuries: loss of property, loss of peace, loss of security, and near loss of his family.

Yet even these losses can be part of God’s preparation. They teach discernment. They teach humility. They teach dependence on God rather than sight.

     2. Loss of Reputation or Defamation of Character

This injury is one of the most painful. It occurs when:

• You are lied against
• You are falsely accused
• Your name is dragged through the mud
• People believe the worst about you
• Your integrity is questioned.

Joseph experienced this injury. Imagine how many people in Egypt heard that Joseph attempted to rape Potiphar’s wife. His reputation was destroyed. His name was stained. His future seemed ruined.

Yet Joseph’s injury was part of his preparation. God used defamation to reposition him. The injury did not stop his new season — it ushered him into it.

    3. Attacks from Close Persons Due to Jealousy

This injury is extremely serious because it comes from people you trust:

• Fathers
• Mothers
• Friends
• Mentors
• Colleagues
• Spiritual leaders.

David endured this injury for thirteen years under Saul. Saul’s jealousy produced relentless attacks. David lost peace, stability, and safety. He lived as a fugitive. Yet David refused to fight back. He refused to retaliate. He refused to avenge himself.

If David had fought Saul, he might have missed his new season. Wisdom preserved him.

1. Betrayals

Betrayal is one of the deepest injuries. It destroys trust. It wounds the soul. It creates emotional scars. Daniel experienced betrayal from political colleagues who envied his rising influence. Their betrayal led to the lions’ den — yet it also led to Daniel’s promotion.

Betrayal is often a sign that you are close to a new season. It reveals hearts. It exposes motives. It separates you from wrong alliances.

     2. Injuries Caused by Stubbornness or Disobedience

Israel experienced many injuries due to stubbornness:

• Losses in battle
• Serpent bites
• Wilderness hardships
• Limited diet
• Lack of comfort
• Delayed progress.

Some injuries are consequences of disobedience. Others are permitted by God to train, discipline, and refine His people.

     3. Divine Breaking

This is the most mysterious category. It occurs when God Himself allows or initiates an injury to break pride, self‑dependence, or fleshly confidence.

Jacob’s dislocated hip was not punishment — it was preparation. God broke Jacob to rebuild Israel. Divine breaking is painful, but it is purposeful. It empties you of dependence on men and forces you to lean on God alone.

Section 6: How to Endure, Persevere, and Win Despite Injuries

Understand the Reason for the Injury

• You must discern whether your injury is:
• A consequence of bad choices
• A natural outcome of circumstances
• A demonic attack
• A divine breaking
• A preparation for a new season
• Understanding the reason minimises the pain and maximises the purpose.

Persevere — Never Give Up

Perseverance is essential. Injuries do not disqualify you. They refine you. They strengthen you. They prepare you. Jacob persevered despite his injury. He refused to let go. He held on to the angel and demanded a blessing.

Perseverance is the bridge between injury and elevation.

Do Not Fight for Yourself

This is one of the most difficult instructions. When injured, the flesh wants to retaliate, defend, avenge, and justify itself. But Scripture teaches:

• Joseph never defended himself
• David never fought Saul
• Daniel never retaliated
• Jesus never answered His accusers
• Do not repay evil with evil. Do not fight for your name. Let God fight for you.

Remain Prayerful, Watchful, and Discerning

Injuries can cloud judgment. Pain can distort perception. Hurt can produce fleshly decisions. Therefore:

• Stay prayerful
• Stay watchful
• Stay discerning
• Stay sensitive
• Stay spiritually alert.

Never make strategic decisions in the flesh. Injuries require spiritual clarity.

Section 7: The Crisis and Transformation of Identity

Jacob’s final battle was not about strength, strategy, or endurance. It was about identity. The angel asked:

“What is your name?” (Genesis 32:27)

This was not a question of information. The angel already knew Jacob’s name. It was a question of revelation. It was a question of confrontation. It was a question of transformation.

God confronts identity before He releases new seasons.

Identity Determines Destiny

Jacob’s name meant:

•  Supplanter
• Heel‑grabber
• Trickster
• Fraudster.

This identity could not enter the new season. God wanted a nation, not a trickster. God wanted Israel, not Jacob. Before God could elevate Jacob, He had to confront Jacob’s identity.

Many believers today are crying for new seasons, but heaven does not recognize them. Their names are not written.

Their identities are not aligned. Their hearts are not transformed.

Mixed Multitudes Cannot Enter New Seasons

Your original teaching referenced powerful scriptures:

• Nehemiah 13:3 — mixed multitudes were separated
• Exodus 12:38 — mixed multitudes followed Israel
• Revelation 21:27 — nothing defiled enters the city

Mixed multitudes represent:

• Fake Christians
• Lukewarm believers
• Unrepentant sinners
• Confused identities
• People who want elevation without transformation
• God does not transition mixed multitudes
•  He transitions transformed identities.

Identity Confrontation in Scripture

Your original teaching highlighted powerful examples:

Peter (Matthew 16:15–18)

Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered correctly. Jesus changed his name and moved him into a new season.

The Demoniac (Mark 5:9)

Jesus asked, “What is your name?” Identity was confronted before deliverance.

Jacob (Genesis 32:27–28)

Jacob admitted his identity. God changed his name to Israel.

Identity confrontation precedes elevation.

Name Changes in Scripture

Your original teaching listed thirteen name changes — nine by God for good, four by pagan systems for evil. This section is preserved and expanded with theological commentary.

Name changes signify:

• Covenant
• Destiny
• Transformation
• Assignment
• Identity
• Purpose

God changed:

• Abram → Abraham
• Sarai → Sarah
• Jacob → Israel
• Hoshea → Joshua
• Simon → Peter
• Saul → Paul

Pagan systems changed:

• Daniel → Belteshazzar
• Hananiah → Shadrach
• Mishael → Meshach
• Azariah → Abednego

Name changes reveal the spiritual battle over identity.

Your New Identity in Christ

Believers are:

• Children of God
• Sons of God
• Heirs of God
• Co‑heirs with Christ
• Friends of Jesus
• The Bride of Christ
• Beloved
• Saints
• Elect
• New creations
• Overcomers
• Justified ones
• Ambassadors
• Soldiers
• Light of the world
• Salt of the earth
• Sojourners
• Witnesses
• Letters of Christ
• New seasons require embracing this identity.

Section 8: Three Modern Examples of Believers Who Rose Despite Losses, Injuries and Identity Crises 

 Nicky Cruz: From Violent Gang Leader to Global Evangelist

Nicky Cruz grew up in a home filled with witchcraft, violence, and rejection. His identity was shaped by brutality and gang life. He suffered emotional injuries, abandonment, and deep trauma. Yet when he encountered Christ through David Wilkerson, he repented and surrendered. Despite the injuries of his past—crime, hatred, and a destroyed reputation—God transformed him into a global evangelist. His life proves that even the most shattered identity can be reborn into a powerful new season.

Joyce Meyer — From Abuse and Shame to International Ministry

Joyce Meyer endured years of sexual abuse, emotional injuries, and a deeply damaged identity. Her early adulthood was marked by fear, anger, and brokenness. Yet through repentance, healing, and perseverance, she rose into a new season. Today she leads one of the largest Christian teaching ministries in the world. Her life demonstrates that God can elevate anyone who refuses to let injuries define their destiny.

John Newton — Slave Trader Turned Pastor and Hymn Writer

John Newton lived with a dark identity — slave trader, immoral, rebellious. After surviving storms, losses, and near death, he repented and surrendered to Christ. Despite the injuries of guilt and a ruined reputation, God transformed him into a pastor and the author of Amazing Grace. His life shows that repentance can rewrite even the most negative identity into a legacy of greatness.

Conclusion: Standing at the Edge of Your New Season 

Many believers today are standing at the 11th hour of their transition. Heaven has written their new season, but heaven is waiting for them. Waiting for repentance. Waiting for identity alignment. Waiting for surrender. Waiting for transformation.

Jacob’s story teaches us that new seasons require:

• Warfare
• Injuries
• Perseverance
• Identity confrontation
• Repentance
• Transformation
• A new name

 God is calling His people into new seasons, but He is also calling them into new identities. The question is the same today as it was at Peniel:

 “What is your name?”

Ayo Akerele is the senior pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through [email protected]. You can connect with him on: YouTube: @VoiceoftheWatchmen, TikTok: @drayoakerele, Instagram: @drayoakerele, Facebook: @Ayo Akerele