Independence day is around the corner. Freedom seems particularly precious this year, especially when we have been so confined in the COVID pandemic. Following God into freedom is a great way to celebrate the holiday.
Freedom is a wonderful concept. And freedom is one of my favorite themes in the Bible, probably because God has done a lot of work in my life to free me from faulty beliefs and negative emotions and experiences. For example, for years I was chained down with the idea that for some reason I was not “good enough.” And that belief of not being good enough drove me to try to be perfect. That thinking, and the resultant habit of perfectionism, go deep with me. Over the years God has been increasingly freeing me from these debilitating habits of thought and action. It is a work in progress.
What is holding you back?
In our lives there are lots of things that can hold us back. Usually these barriers have more to do with our hearts—our thoughts and emotions–than with our outward circumstances. What is holding you back? What chains are binding you? Is it, like me, the fear of not being good enough? The drive of perfectionism? Maybe you are chained to your ironclad determination to be in control. Or a sense of shame, connected to your past. Maybe you are imprisoned to an addiction to food, or praise or alcohol, or work, or achievement or the internet. Or unforgiveness.
The power within
Satan would love to keep us in our prison, whatever it might be. But he doesn’t have that kind of power. God has given us the power to break free of every hold, every lie, every obstacle that Satan puts in our way. 1 John 4:4 says “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
When we turn to God with our struggles, we can draw on His strength, and follow Him into freedom in all kinds of ways in our lives. WE are free from Satan’s power and influence. As a result, we are free to truly be ourselves, the person God made and loves. To live abundantly. To claim our place as His precious child, heir to all He has made. In a word, we are free to embrace joy. En-joy life.
Follow God into freedom
Follow God into freedom. Don’t settle for less! Embrace joy–en-joy your life. You won’t regret it!
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NAS
How has Christ been freeing you? Please share with us!
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