Freedom in Christ

As my family and I recently celebrated the 4th of July, I was reminded that not only do we have the privilege of freedom here in America, but we also have an unending freedom in Christ. We can be confident in knowing that we do not have to be bound to anxiety, worry, depression and fear. With the challenges that life can throw at us, it's very easy to see how one can get entangled in these emotions, but they don't have to be a daily part of your life. I think most people are so used to being stressed out that if they feel at peace they wonder what's wrong! I know that was definitely true for me at one time, but that is not the way we are to be. Galatians 5:1 says: "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." When I began to get a hold of scripture like this, that's when I became free from the bondage of all that anxiety was throwing at me. That didn't mean I didn't feel the fear, it means that I felt the fear and continued to believe that through Christ I am an over comer. I believe in any situation you face, no matter what, you can get through it victoriously if you continue to speak what God says about you - even when you don't feel like it. Say you lost your job. You probably wouldn't be thrilled about this but instead of saying, "Well, with my luck it's no surprise" or "What will I do? I am going to lose everything I have", you could say "I don't know why this happened, but I know that my steps are ordered by the Lord and He is going to take care of me". It can be hard to do this when you feel like your world is falling apart, but look at it this way, you may as well be positive because you are going to go through the difficult situation anyway so why not put your faith in God and get a blessing out of it. I remember times when I was so overwhelmed with fear and worry about things. I constantly felt defeated and was far from feeling like an over comer, but I kept saying over and over to myself what God's Word said that I am, and He said that I am an over comer and that His perfect love casts out fear. He also said that He has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. Today, I am glad that I didn't say what I felt like, but what I knew. My feelings caught up with what I was speaking and I found freedom. That same freedom can be yours.

Friends, Jesus didn't die for us so we could be an emotional mess, He died so we can have peace of the assurance of Heaven, and peace while we are on the journey to get there. I love it when He said in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Have a great day everyone and remember to walk in love and speak in peace.

Love,
Anita