I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

I held the homemade Christmas ornament in my hand, carefully tracing the edges with my finger. I knew upon contact; it was the bell my daughter created in elementary school. I longed to have her near, but the truth cut deep into my heart. Our relationship has been rocky at best for the last five years, but At least some correspondence transpires, unlike the many years when her silence was deafening. A wayward child during the holidays leaves an emptiness no one can fill.

I finished decorating our tree, listening to some old Christmas CDs. Memories rushed back along with some regrets. Songs of peace and joy invited tears as I considered what should have been. What should be, and what isn’t going to change, without an intervention from God.

God can overrule this entire mess. He can transform her from darkness to His marvelous light.

The music ended, leaving the house quiet. Earlier, my heart pumped with exhilaration as I dove into decorating for Christmas, but now that excitement had disappeared, smothered by feelings I don’t like. The same emotions that have carried me into despair and even depression. Wait a second! Our emotions are dishonest. I can allow them to control me, or I can dismiss them. I decided to spread that baggage out on the floor, sharing my heart with my husband. I can’t deny those feelings and shove them down only to have them sneak back up again. My emotions don’t possess authority over me. Jesus does.

Rather than concentrating on something I cannot change; I choose to focus on Christ. When He died on that old wooden cross, He didn’t just die for my sins. He also freed me from bondage. He can break the emotional strongholds Satan loves to place in my mind. I choose to pray for my daughter more than ever. I choose to trust God, knowing He has my best in mind, and her best too. I trust the path He has sett my feet on, and I choose to trust Him to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all I can think or ask (Eph. 3:20 NKJV). That’s my God!

Friend, He is your God too. Your bondage was nailed to Calvary’s cross. Your emotions aren’t the boss of you, unless you allow them. Jesus has better in store for His daughters. Will you trust Him today? Will you rid yourself of the emotional prison you sit in? Will you take control of your mind, protecting it with the helmet of salvation?

Christmas brings back memories. We can choose to stroll down memory lane, rather than camping out there. Instead of getting caught up in what should be, we can pray about how it will be. The choice is ours. Let’s make healthy decisions. Let’s face tomorrow, leaving the past in the past.

Lord Jesus, thank You for bearing our sins and breaking the chains that bind us. Chains of disappointment. Chains of guilt. Chains of shame. Chains of despair. Be broken in Jesus’ name!

DIG DEEPER

I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
Who walk in a way that is not good,
According to their own thoughts;

Isaiah 65:2 NKJV

HIKING THE TRAIL

Look at the verse in the “Dig Deeper” section. How are our thoughts rebellious?

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Originally posted on September 24, 2020 @ 7:03 pm