Meant for More Than This? Yes!

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Most of us long for more. Do you?

In my previous post, I talked about the self-hatred many of us battle. We mercilessly punish ourselves for things done and said (or not done and not said). We open the door, and guilt is there. We turn the corner, and shame is waiting for us. Pain clouds our days.

Deep down, we know we were meant for more than this.

 

Sometimes We Have to Be Broken

I was in my mid-30′s. I’d been having panic attacks. I was struggling in multiple areas. Fear was a constant companion. Grief took over my life.

It was an ugly, emotionally intense time. It culminated one night at about 3 a.m. I couldn’t sleep and found myself prostrate on the floor, my face buried in a pillow, weeping. That night seemed to last forever, but when I got up the next morning, my perspective had changed.

Something had broken inside. Looking back, I believe I came to the end of myself. I quit struggling to figure it all out. I ceased trying to be in control. Somehow, I had let go.

 

Brokenness Can Lead to Freedom

I love this Scripture:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Do not allow yourselves, then, to be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

(Galatians 5:1).

I was used to slavery. A broken home, childhood sexual abuse, and multiple losses set up me up for guilt, shame, fear, and anxiety. I tried to make myself as small and quiet as possible, hoping to somehow disappear. I wanted out.

Even then, I knew I was meant for more.

I was meant to live in freedom. So were you.

Free to replace fear with faith
Free to grieve the loss of those you love
Free to endure suffering without letting it rule your heart
Free to forgive and live grudge-less
Free to accept the past, knowing it doesn’t determine your future
Free to struggle, knowing you’re always in training for better things
Free to be broken to live at new level of maturity and wisdom
Free to let go and trust, knowing you’re not in charge
Free to encourage and shun gossip
Free to love God and other people
Free to be whom you were created to be
Free to exercise the talents and gifts you were given
Free to serve and make a difference in the world
Free to battle and overcome evil

 

Lean Forward

Whatever’s back there, deal with it.

Whatever’s out there, lean into it.

Everything you face is part of your freedom-training. Flee self-slavery. Find some good freedom-training partners. Lean forward.

You were meant for more. You can do this – one day at a time.

 

Question: Which one of the “freedoms” above grabbed your attention, and why?