We might not be behind bars but are we prisoners of our minds? Are there thoughts that keep us from breaking free and being all God intends us to be?
In Luke 4:18, Jesus is reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”
What might it mean to be held prisoners of our minds?
Did someone tell you, maybe years ago, you wouldn’t amount to anything? Young minds form opinions of self from voices heard in childhood. Back then you couldn’t silence those lies, but now you can break free.
Was there a significant loss that hasn’t been sufficiently dealt with? Perhaps the death of a protective parent or advocate. Or, the loss of a home due to financial hardships and homelessness was the result? Maybe moving from city-to-city, school-to-school, and leaving significant friendships behind has brought insecurities. Or, a major health crisis or disability caused the family to be caught off guard and focused on the immediate needs? Is there a dependency on alcohol, or drugs, that traps you into believing there is no hope for change. Let’s stop believing the lies. Yes, all these circumstances are painful but they are not necessarily based on truth.
Expose the lies. Search for truth.
Your life matters! You have significance. There are so many ways the mind can become the jailer. But that’s not how God wants us to live. Jesus went to the cross to set you and me free. Today, will you believe your Creator is able to make a way to set you free? Luke 4:18 has your name on it. Walk out of that prison determined to live free. Pick up a new focus. Read Bible passages that talk of His great love for you. The book of John would be a good place to start. Find a grace-filled, Bible teaching, church and make new friends. Stop socializing with people who aren’t a positive influence in your life.
Walk free—hold tight to that pardon.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are no longer under the law, but grace.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
It is God’s will for you, and me, to walk free; to hold tight to the pardon that is only found in Jesus Christ. Ir’s not possible for us to free ourselves from dark memories. Only as we accept Him as our Savior and friend, can we walk free. The interesting thing is that when we walk free, God often turns what once seemed a heavy shackle into a useful garment to comfort others.
