“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not be burdened by a yoke of slavery.” Paul writes this to believers in Galatians 5:1.
We are made to live in complete freedom. Christ set us free so there’s absolutely no reason why we can’t be completely free.
This passage prompted me to think- am l truly living in freedom in all aspects of my life?
On the outside it might look like it to me and to the people around me. I’m traveling the world, using the freedom I have to serve others, and I’m confident in who I am and Whose I am. So I’m living in complete freedom. Right?
Well, maybe. As I was thinking about this, the Lord reminded me that this doesn’t mean only physical freedom. Look at Paul, for example. He was in prison numerous times-mnot exactly a place where freedom comes to mind immediately- yet he still wrote about being free and the Lord using it for good. He was obviously talking about something different than physical freedom. What other aspects are there besides physical?
The aspect that this led me to consider is our thoughts. Our minds are a powerful tool. When our minds are free, we realize there’s no limit to what we can do. We are free to dream big dreams and pursue God’s heart more than ever before. If we aren’t free in our thoughts, then we can’t possibly be fully free.
Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:8 to deliberately think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and anything excellent or praiseworthy. When we think solely on these things and dwell on them throughout the day, we have freedom in our minds. However, when we take our attention off these things, our minds are being held captive to thoughts that the devil wants us to concentrate on. That doesn’t sound like freedom to me.
There are so many ways Satan can take away freedom in our minds. He causes us to believe lies, focus on events in our lives that seem to be spiraling out of control, become depressed, doubt, have anxiety, get distracted, don’t trust God….you fill in the blank. All these things are obviously not of the Lord.
Maybe one of these, or something else, keeps you in slavery and holds you back from being completely free.
The Lord convicted me of asking "what if" questions.
I’m come to realize that on the World Race when it comes to packing I don’t let myself think about the what ifs.
“I should keep these shorts because what if the time comes when I need an extra pair?”
“I should stock up on soap because what if there’s nowhere to buy it at our next location?”
“I need to keep a long sleeve shirt because what if it gets cold?”
I don’t let myself do that. I pack what I need for the time and trust that God will provide for my physical needs. And He always does.
My teammates know this about me and for some reason, never let me near their packs anymore when they’re packing. I guess they think I’ll make them get rid of everything, which isn’t true…just almost everything 🙂
God showed me this is harder for me to do in regards to my thoughts, though. I realize that I ask myself “what if…?” much more than I should.
“What if I step out in this way and fail?”
“I’m not stepping into that situation because what if I don’t know how to respond to something?”
“What if I start talking in front of a group and forget part of what I was going to say?”
What if, what if, what if….
Asking these things do nothing except hold me back- they're a yoke of slavery. How am I ever going to see the Lord provide for me in those aspects if I don’t let go?
When I do step into situations I’m unsure about, it gives God an even greater opportunity to be glorified because I know it’s not me doing it. It’s Him working through me.
I challenge you to consider what you’re thinking about. Every thought you think is either bringing you into a greater freedom in Christ or is holding you in bondage. There’s no middle ground.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”
2 Corinthians 3:17
