Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Freedom is accessible through the Son, and still, to dwell in freedom requires warfare.
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, NIV)
freedom (noun) - exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
I sense Holy Spirit compassionately shouting, “THE FIGHT IS FIXED!”
The war for freedom is indeed a fixed fight. Christ secured my victory on Calvary and empowers me by His Spirit to win every battle.
I am empowered to win…but I haven’t always won.
The adversary uses every chance he gets to remind me of the lingering sting of disappointment and confusion that ensues once hearts are revealed. He calls to my attention the embarrassment of regaining almost all of the weight I released during my pandemic-era wellness journey. I feel ashamed for having consumer debt after tasting the satisfaction of being debt-free.
As fulfilled as I am in life, being asked why I’m still single and why I don’t have kids makes me feel insecure. Deficient. At fault for my relationship status. Is singleness a curse? No. Is marriage evidence of unwavering faith?? Nope. My mind knows these things, but my emotions are forgetful. Nearing 41 doesn’t help. Family members, coworkers, and medical professionals refuse to let me forget that my biological clock is ticking. I know, y’all. I KNOW. Holding onto a promise becomes warfare when concerned questions morph into mini crowbars determined to pry your fingers off those thus-saith-the-Lord journal entries pertaining to becoming a wife and mother.
FREEDOM IS ACCESSIBLE
Yes, freedom is available. Also, the idea of freedom can be just as foreign as it is alluring. I know what it is in theory, but what does it look like to continually live in freedom? As I write, Holy Spirit is reminding me that peace once sounded foreign to me. Peace is home now. Joy was once far away. Now, it is seen in my eyes and my smile. Joy fills my heart and radiates from my life. Even strangers will attest to that.
My life really is lovely, but honestly, I am not fully free.
The enemy wants me to believe that fear is foreign, because holding that belief close to my heart keeps me in a state of self-sabotage. If I bravely admit that fear is more familiar than foreign, I will also admit to being afraid of the unknown costs associated with unapologetically contending for the promise of freedom. Being honest about allowing fear to hang close causes the scales to fall from my eyes, revealing the areas in which self-sabotage has strategically resurfaced. Ahh, there it is! We’ve come this far. Might as well unpack it:
Self-sabotage prevents me from trusting my ability to discern God’s voice concerning matters of the heart. One too many almost-but-not-quite experiences weigh extra heavily on the heart, especially when alignment takes a sharp turn toward apathy and consideration turns cold.
Self-sabotage is the altar that beckons me to kneel at the feet of self-sufficiency, all the while luring me away from softness. Its aim is for me to exalt lion-likeness over lamb-likeness even though the Lord leads me in living at the intersection of both! Wisdom has taught me that a soft answer turns away wrath. (Proverbs 15:1). Leading with the lamb gives the lion time to rest, recover, and emerge only when righteously necessary. Self-sufficiency leads to self-protection, and self-protecting is evidence of my distrust of the Father’s favor that rests on my life - the favor that secures me within a hedge of protection and guards me with angelic forces.
Self-sabotage leads to overeating and unnecessary spending as a means of self-soothing. I am filled with and encompassed by the Comforter, yet choosing lesser, damaging faux comforts. Lord, help! Less of me and more of You is what I need.
FREEDOM IS ACCESSIBLE
Strongholds can be pulled down. Arguments can be cast down. Anti-freedom thoughts CAN BE TAKEN CAPTIVE.
I can be free because whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am willing, able, and empowered to walk in freedom. It’s time to contend…
Sincerely,
LaToya NaShae
This was great to actually read as the spirit stirred up. It was reassuring to be reminded that I am free. Old things have passed away, and the ones that are present will fade too because of the blood!!