Oh my friends these chains are heavy and I am tired. I don't think I was naive and thought that once things became exposed that dealing with it would be quick and easy; a shake of the hands and a quick exhale. However I didn't realize my days would STILL be so up and down like a roller coaster. Happy highs and low lows.
Sometimes I don't think you realize how tightly bound you are to things until the moment you try to be free from them. It is truly difficult to go from bondage to freedom.
No one can explain it better then Paul in Romans 7:15-25. "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate....For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what it right, but not the ability to carry out....wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!..."
My man Paul. I totally get it. We ALL know what is right and yet we ALL do what is wrong. My encouragement comes from the fact that Paul (aka A Murderer) can be transformed and forgiven to then become one of the greatest warriors in spreading the Gospel. You hear that???? A murderer who was forgiven, redeemed, sanctified, and yet he still dealt with daily temptation while fighting the good fight. Our God is so good.
We ALL have "things" that bind us and keep us from the joy that we are meant to revel in. I kind of imagine it as a rope that connects us to God. The "things" that take superiority over God are knots. It is impossible to glide into the arms of Jesus with any knot.
I am currently struggling with two knots in my life.
First one is money. The obsession over not having enough, wondering if I didn't get caught what I would have done with more of it, the anxiety of not being able to give the people what I want to give them etc.... Wondering if I will ever be enough if I don't have enough?
The Spirit tells me the truth. The kids are just as happy with an Icee as they would be with a new pair of shoes. There is not one material thing I have had to have these past few months to make my life complete. This family hasn't done without one thing.
My soul (emotions, will power, and mindset) scream something different. How I am going to afford really nice clothes for the new school year? What if we can't afford a nice vacation? Why not just get one credit card for emergencies?
Constant battle as Paul explains.
My second pit is food. The Spirit tells me if I place anything above God then I should set it aside. My body is a temple and I should honor it as God intended. I know the way to a better healthy fit life.
My soul entices me to think differently. That feeling that has been missing all day can be filled with Oreos after everyone goes to sleep tonight. You've walked 20 minutes. Call it a day. What is 20 more going to do? Start a new life tomorrow and dig in today.
Another constant battle.
I am learning that The Spirit has been infused in me and NOTHING I can ever do will make it leave. However I have to train and fight the good fight to let the Spirit resonate over my soul. When this happens then my flesh (my body) can be a true tool for Christ.
It takes prayer, the Word, a constantly growing relationship, and honesty to break this bondage.
We ALL have bondage. What is yours? Wether it be a sinful past that we can't let go of, addictions, materials, and/or worries; there is a way to find freedom.
We have to love each other freely without judgement or assuming we can fix each other. My bondage is not yours to carry, or understand, or presume to know how I deal with it. However as my family in Christ you are called to pray for me and LOVE me. I must and willingly do the same for you.
I have already been touched by such great stories and would love to hear more. Part of my freedom is closely linked to yours.
Sometimes I don't think you realize how tightly bound you are to things until the moment you try to be free from them. It is truly difficult to go from bondage to freedom.
No one can explain it better then Paul in Romans 7:15-25. "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate....For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what it right, but not the ability to carry out....wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!..."
My man Paul. I totally get it. We ALL know what is right and yet we ALL do what is wrong. My encouragement comes from the fact that Paul (aka A Murderer) can be transformed and forgiven to then become one of the greatest warriors in spreading the Gospel. You hear that???? A murderer who was forgiven, redeemed, sanctified, and yet he still dealt with daily temptation while fighting the good fight. Our God is so good.
We ALL have "things" that bind us and keep us from the joy that we are meant to revel in. I kind of imagine it as a rope that connects us to God. The "things" that take superiority over God are knots. It is impossible to glide into the arms of Jesus with any knot.
I am currently struggling with two knots in my life.
First one is money. The obsession over not having enough, wondering if I didn't get caught what I would have done with more of it, the anxiety of not being able to give the people what I want to give them etc.... Wondering if I will ever be enough if I don't have enough?
The Spirit tells me the truth. The kids are just as happy with an Icee as they would be with a new pair of shoes. There is not one material thing I have had to have these past few months to make my life complete. This family hasn't done without one thing.
My soul (emotions, will power, and mindset) scream something different. How I am going to afford really nice clothes for the new school year? What if we can't afford a nice vacation? Why not just get one credit card for emergencies?
Constant battle as Paul explains.
My second pit is food. The Spirit tells me if I place anything above God then I should set it aside. My body is a temple and I should honor it as God intended. I know the way to a better healthy fit life.
My soul entices me to think differently. That feeling that has been missing all day can be filled with Oreos after everyone goes to sleep tonight. You've walked 20 minutes. Call it a day. What is 20 more going to do? Start a new life tomorrow and dig in today.
Another constant battle.
I am learning that The Spirit has been infused in me and NOTHING I can ever do will make it leave. However I have to train and fight the good fight to let the Spirit resonate over my soul. When this happens then my flesh (my body) can be a true tool for Christ.
It takes prayer, the Word, a constantly growing relationship, and honesty to break this bondage.
We ALL have bondage. What is yours? Wether it be a sinful past that we can't let go of, addictions, materials, and/or worries; there is a way to find freedom.
We have to love each other freely without judgement or assuming we can fix each other. My bondage is not yours to carry, or understand, or presume to know how I deal with it. However as my family in Christ you are called to pray for me and LOVE me. I must and willingly do the same for you.
I have already been touched by such great stories and would love to hear more. Part of my freedom is closely linked to yours.
With endless love,
Kristie
Kristie
You are NOT alone! The struggles may be different yet so familiar!
ReplyDelete