Freedom and Peace

Freedom. That is one of the great benefits to following Christ. Peace and Freedom.

Galatians 1:10 “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” NLT

When I read this verse this morning, my heart said “Oh, thank you my precious Jesus.”

It is not hard for me to remember the Lynn I used to be; constantly torn up by what I thought others thought…of me. I worried about my family, my friends, my husband, my kids…not one was excluded. I wanted to be the perfect friend, neighbor, wife, mom, daughter, worker; never wanted anyone to be disappointed, mad, frustrated or let down in any way by me. My mind would tortue me, “You are not a good__________ (you can fill in the blank with any of my above titles). You need to be a better ___________.” This thinking just fed that performance monster in my heart more and more (it is NEVER satisfied).

But God…

God stepped in and brought me freedom and peace. Freedom from myself and my constant badgering thoughts; some true, some not so true.

I began by recognizing that these thoughts were not from Him. Even if I was a less than perfect wife, daughter or mom, He still would not condemn me, only my enemy would do that. As I began to recognize these wayward thoughts, I began to replace them with the truth. “Whom the Son has set free is free indeed!!!”

So now when I take a walk in my neighborhood and I hear the thougths, “You are a rotten neighbor, you should be more friendly.” I ask myself real questions: Is there something specific that the Lord wants me to do? Then do it! By all means, obey. But if these are just negative thoughts with the purpose to cause me to gang up on myself, than I give them to Jesus and ask Him to take them away.

No. Not perfect. Far, far from it. But I am at peace and I am free!

Lynn

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