It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. ~ Galatians 5:1
Setting: (My brain last Friday as I backed my van out of the driveway. The mental conversation had started the day before. Negativity threatened every thought.)
“You’re such a bad neighbor.”
I glanced at the homes in my cul-de-sac.
“I know. I’m sorry. I need to visit my elderly neighbor and take food to the widower across the street.”
A weight attached to my heart.
“You’re a bad mom too and a bad wife and ….”
My spirit began to crumble under the heaviness of each allegation.
I knew the conversation too well. Each accusation visited my heart and mind often. I knew there was room for improvement, so I agreed.
No use fighting with your own brain even when you know the thoughts are not from you. The enemy wanted to crush my spirit. He was succeeding that week.
I put the car in drive. As it rolled forward, another thought entered the dialogue.
“I don’t see you this way at all.”
(Cue angel choir.)
Suddenly the negative thoughts vaporized. And because of the immediate freedom I experienced, I knew the thought came from God. It wasn’t from my brain. I’m much too hard on myself and not creative enough to think that way.
God’s words are like that. They bring peace, healing, freedom…life.
Satan doesn’t have to work hard to defeat us. All he has to do is play the negative tapes in our minds. The battle really is in our thinking. If the enemy can make us believe we are terrible and not worthy of God’s love or approval, he can stop us from fulfilling our God given destiny.
We become a slave to our negative thoughts.
But…”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.” Galatians 5:1
The word burdened is a good description of what those negative thoughts did to me. My heart could not carry the load of obligations which the thoughts demanded. But the Greek word (Enechō) also means:
To hold on to, harass, badger, to be entangled, enmeshed…obliged.(Key-Word Study Bible)
All of those definitions described my battle with Negativity. The dark thoughts didn’t free me to love my neighbors better or become a more loving mom and wife; they made me feel obligated, entangled, harassed into helping…a slave.
…a Douleia. Listen to this definition:
It is the state in which a person is prevented from freely possessing and enjoying his life; a state opposed to liberty. (Mystudybible.com)
Maybe living an “Out of the Ordinary” life is just that simple. Enjoying it! How many people really enjoy their lives?
Yet, as Christians, we’ve been given the mystery to such enjoyment.
Let’s continue this conversation Friday.
Until then: What “burdens” you?
Much Grace,
Pray to hear His counter.
Thanks to Juana Mikels and Rachel Wojo for the blog-link opportunities! Read great posts on her link.
Yes, but they no longer say I’m bad. I know I’m not bad. They try to tell me I’m not good enough.The negative tapes are quieter than they used to be, just whispers now and then like the vague buzz of a mosquito. But I’m so much better at swatting them now. Or stomping the ANTS (automatic negative thoughts.) I’m getting better all the time at keeping up the positive messages: I am deeply and profoundly loved by my Creator. We are all good enough!
Amen! Thanks so much for sharing.