In Truth is Freedom

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor, He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are down trodden." - Luke 4:18

What sets us free? Jesus said truth sets us free.

I have believed lies. Lies about who I am. Lies that lead to worry and fear. Lies that put doubt in my mind about Truth.

But now I see, Jesus came to set me free. Free from the strongholds the enemy has set up in my mind. Free from the lies that bring me down. Free from the control my broken mind has over me.

I will no longer be down trodden. I find new mercies each day as I walk with Him.

How do we combat the lies and find freedom? By knowing and dwelling on the Truth. What truth or truths can you focus on today? Maybe one of the affirmations I wrote in the previous post? Or maybe a Scripture truth you read today? It is essential to saturate your mind with truth if we are to be free from the stronghold of lies.

Controlled Thinking

"We are destroying speculations, and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB)

Impulsivity has tossed me to and fro. Lies I have fallen prey to have all but destroyed my life. Oh, if I would take every thought captive! If I would fight back the lies with the truth of God's Word! Then I would be established, like the tree in Psalm 1, planted and prospering.

"Understanding will watch over you" (Psalm 2:11b) I can be guarded by gaining wisdom

What lies are you believing in your mind today? Are they lies of worry and doubt? Because God has you in His hands. Are they lies you are not good enough? Because God did not make a mistake when He created you. The more I study God's Word, the more I realize I have been listening to lie after lie about myself. Will you join me in fighting against these strongholds today? Your mind will be forever thankful for each step taken toward better mental health.

I Have Hope

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." -Ephesians 1:18-19 (NASB)

I have hope.

I have the hope of His calling. He called me. He called me to be His child. He chose me. He loves me. I am called to do goos works for His glory. I am called to pick up my cross and follow Him.

And with this calling is hope. Hope because I have purpose in this life and treasures stored up in my eternal home to which He will take me one day.

I rest in this hope.

Positive affirmations you can write down and read each day:

I have hope.
I am called.
I am chosen.
I am loved.
I have purpose.

A Pile of Troubles

"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders--He will carry your load, He will help you out. He will never let good people topple into ruin . . . I trust in God." -Psalm 55:22-23 (MSG)

"What a Friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."

-Hymn by Joseph Scriven

Maybe God gives me more than I can bear so He can be glorified as He takes the burdens off my shoulders? His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I do not have to face this life alone, nor was I made to.

We are told we will have trouble in this world, but to take heart, because Christ has overcome the world. He is our strength and our help.

Strengthened in Faith

"Yet Abraham did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised." - Romans 4:20-21

Broken dreams and broken promises lead to broken hearts.

However, God never breaks His promises, and His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours. When He allows dark times to sweep over my life, I prayer I do not waver.

Imagine what strength and faith I would have if I let my darkest and hardest times produce faith that outweighed the pain. If I were fully persuaded of God's power in spite of the difficulties, what could be raised our of that?

My purpose in life is not health, wealth, and prosperity. It is not to live a pain and trouble free life. It is to bring God glory. If He can use my suffering to do this, then so be it.

The Multitude of My Anxieties

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."

-Psalm 94:19

I have tried to ease anxiety in many different ways. Deep breathing is a good way to relax your mind and body. Progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, abdominal breathing, cue-controlled relaxation, visualization, stress management, worry control, and probably other techniques can ease the feelings of anxiety. Sometimes medication is prescribed for it as well.

But what is better than having someone just be with you? It is wonderful to be comforted and encouraged. To simply know someone has come alongside you to be there for you.

God is our Shepherd, our Rock, our Shield, our Defender. I take comfort in knowing He has my back and is working all things together for good. He is there, beside me, walking with me every step of my journey. I am not alone. I do not have to be afraid. I am well taken care of by my good, good Father.

All This Time

All this time, Asking why

Why this pain, why this way

I would cry

Down a road, With no hope

How to pray, when afraid 

With heart of stone 

Then a sudden flood of grace

Washed my fear away

Now I know, In my soul

There is love that never will let go

I was chosen, While yet broken

To be free, to be me, to be whole

Heavy heart, Torn apart

Are you worn, Are you scorned

Are you scarred

Come find rest, Come be blessed

Time to heal, time to feel 

And breathe again

You can know, In your soul

There is love that never will let go

You were chosen, while yet broken

You can see, can be free, 

Can be whole

True joy and peace await

For those who have the faith

Now we know, in our souls

There is love that never 

Will let go

We were chosen, while yet broken

Now we see, we are free

We are whole 

All this time, still don't know why

But through pain, there's a way

He hears your cry