“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
Jesus gives freedom.
When we place our trust in Jesus, He releases us from our bonds. His unconditional love accepts us just as we are. However, we don’t honestly believe God loves us. Every step of faith we take is another step of freedom. As we begin to trust God more and more, our lives become freer.
One way to find the freedom offered by Jesus is to pray this prayer:
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV)
Search me, know me, test me.
Not an easy prayer to pray, but one that will lead to freedom. We think we know what our problem’s are, but we don’t. Every person you meet knows you differently from anyone else. Their perspective about you depends on their relationship with you. My tennis students only know me as “Coach Beth” because that is the only time they see me. My husband knows me better than anyone because he lives with me. God is the only one who knows all perspectives, all viewpoints, all things. If we want freedom, we have to let Him search our hearts.
God gave me newfound freedom last week. As I prayed a similar prayer, asking God to reveal what was holding me back, He answered. He exposed a lie I had internalized about feelings. “Your feelings are stupid and don’t matter,” is the lie I believed. How did God show me this lie in my life? An image from when I was a child flashed through my mind. Someone who didn’t mean any harm was making fun of my feelings. Because I loved and respected this person, I believed what he said. At that moment, God freed me from a lie I had thought for years.
I’ve learned that we like the comfort of lies more than the freedom of truth. Unintentionally, we adapt to the lie. For me, I learned how to suppress my feelings. Now and then, the facade cracks, but not usually. Right now, at this point, God is teaching me to talk about my feelings. He’s given me opportunities to say, “Hey, you hurt my feelings.” And I have. But expressing myself isn’t easy. However, if I don’t try to walk in truth, I won’t experience God’s freedom.
Jesus reveals the truth in our lives. As we embrace His teachings, we find freedom. Knowing and accepting the facts sets you free.
Embrace Jesus’s truth. Find freedom.
Question of the Day:
What truth is Jesus trying to reveal to you?
Further Reading:Isaiah 30:12-33:9 NIV, Galatians 5:1-12 NIV, Psalm 63 NIV, Proverbs 23:22 NIV
