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… “Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9) But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" 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; that we are allowing the problem to put us in a prison cell of despair, where the problem can constantly have control over every thought and feeling? 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!