Facing the Struggles - Part One | Devotions to Produce Spiritual Growth
with Diane K Hiltz Chamberlain
I wonder why we choose to turn back to weakness and allow it to beat us up, rather than turning to the One, who has freed us through the cross. Why would we ever desire to live in a dark pit of despair, when we can live in the light of God’s presence? In Galatians 4:8-9, we read…“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. (9) But now that you know God…or rather are known by God…how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Before we came to know Christ, we lived a life of slavery, to the problems that we faced at that time. There was no means of stepping out of our despair, to discover the kind of freedom that can only exist because of what Christ did for us on the cross but now that we know Christ or are known by Him, why do we still choose to walk a step backwards into despair, rather than pressing on towards a place of freedom that can only be found, by walking in the footsteps of Christ?
We allow needless suffering to enter our lives, when we choose to listen to the thoughts that are being dictated by the problem. Do we realize that when we do this, then we are allowing the problem to put us in a prison cell, where the problem can constantly have control over us? Even when we make a mistake and turn back into this form of bondage; the hope we now live with; is that Christ has the key to our prison cell…a key that can unlock the door, to our prison cell of despair and free us. No matter if we make a wrong turn and end up down a detour road; Christ will always be there to direct us back to Him. All we need to do is be willing to take our focus away from the place of bondage, rather than accepting it and when we do this, then we will be able to focus on the One who can free us and give us a fresh new start.
We can save ourselves a lot of heartache, when we allow our lives to remain closely connected with Christ. When there is a strong connection between His heart and ours; then nothing will be able to sever the connection or have control over our lives. When we choose to talk with Jesus, on a daily basis, rather than listening to the voice of our problems; then we will have a clear view of what’s ahead and we will once more be able to press on and experience the fullness of a great and mighty God!
