Free to know yourself

Express your feelings; be in touch with what’s going on inside of you so that you are aware of what’s going on around you. Too often we suppress our feelings so much that we become blind to everything else around us. I’ve done it, we’ve all done it, the problem is we’ve been trained to think being too sensitive or too aware of our own feelings makes us self-centered somehow and it is true those who are self-centered seem to be constantly aware of their own needs but it is what they do with that knowledge that determines if they are self-centered or an instrument for God’s using.

When someone hurts me I can either withdraw and seek seclusion for the purpose of allowing the pain to grow roots deep in the soil of my heart or I can recognize the weight of it, grieve the pain, and release it into my Heavenly Father’s hands; understanding most times the offender’s actions came out of being broken just like me and though the enemy meant it for evil my God turns it into something beautiful. For it is through this journey on earth that we learn how to live and by depending on God to see us through He grows us into something we could have never been without His constant companionship to help us find our way in this spiritual darkness.

Don’t you see child, life isn’t living carefree with a silver spoon in your mouth because in that place we become stagnate and growth is nonexistent, why should we leave such comfort? It’s like the adult child living with their parents because they don’t want to miss out of all the benefits that come their way but the whole time they miss their God-intended purpose in life, never truly knowing who they are. Living life to the fullest requires that we don’t hide our hearts but instead reveal it to the only One who is worthy of receiving it; that we run to the adventure and we disregard the fear flung our way used to manipulate us by the ones who lack understanding of what real living is all about.

Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.
(Psalms 31:2-5 NIV)

Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever." In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
(Psalms 118:4-6 NIV)

Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. For this is what the LORD says: "You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed."
(Isaiah 52:2-3 NIV)

God sent His Son to die in our place so that we may have the freedom to choose eternal life; this free will cannot be taken from us but sadly we unknowingly give it away to things that control us whether it be bitterness, strife, anger, drugs, alcohol, sex, food, television, our jobs… the list goes on and on and like Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew the cost of us being entertained, lining our pockets, or finding escape from the pain has a very high cost.

Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom.) Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.
(Genesis 25:29-34 NIV)

God You are honored and lifted high above your people, for who is like you in all the earth or heavens above! Help me so that I never despise my birthright, don’t let pain keep me from wanting to be near you. Bestow upon me understanding and patience so I may see what holds true value and help me to forgive others when their actions or words cause pain and so that I too may be forgiven. I know You are in control and I am not I have trusted lesser things before but now I trust You and You cannot be defeated; You are the lifter of my head and in the shadow of your wing I find peace and rest. I love you Lord, in Jesus’ name amen.