For Freedom
This guest article was written and submitted by Becky Janeway, a Marriage and Family Therapist and Life Coach. Her combination of experience as a therapist and personal experience with trauma and healing fuel her passion for empowering women to embody these truths and to walk in their freedom.
Freedom. The word elicits a multitude of thoughts and feelings, especially in light of current events. We passionately pursue it, protest for it, fight for it, riot for it and countless individuals have sacrificed their lives for it. But what is this freedom we are fighting for, exactly? In whose hands does our freedom rest? And what does this mean for our everyday lives? Understanding the answers to these questions empowers us to live in greater freedom and provides wisdom to wield that power so that it spotlights the One who graciously gives it to us.
There are many interpretations of the word freedom. Many think of national liberty when they think of the word. Some think of freedom as a pass to do whatever they want, whenever they want. Freedom, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is “the power or right to act, think, or speak as one wants without hindrance or restraint.” But I’d like to propose that true freedom is something that exists inside of us at all times, completely independent of our external conditions and circumstances. True freedom cannot be taken because it is given by God. Unshakable freedom can only be understood through the lens of its creator.
The very first book of the Bible establishes dominion bestowed upon humankind as God told Adam and Eve “...you are free to eat from any tree in the garden…” (Genesis 2:16). The remainder of the Bible documents God’s painstaking work in protecting the freedom of His people. See the Old Testament book of Exodus documenting Israel’s delivery from Egyptian slavery, for one example. The Lord states to the Israelites in Exodus 6:6, “...I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.” And see any of the New Testament’s synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) for the story of Christ’s life, death and resurrection for the most redemptive transaction, arguably, in mankind’s history. In fact, the entire Bible points to God’s plan to redeem us from bondage - “it is for freedom that Christ set us free.” (Galatians 5:1)
We were created by God (Genesis 1:27) and called by our Creator to be free (Galatians 5:13), but free from what? Freedom, first and foremost, is the liberation we have in Jesus from condemnation (John 3:18, Romans 8:1). But also freedom from slavery to sin (Romans 6:6), fear (Romans 8:15, 2 Timothy 1:7), guilt (Hebrews 10:22) and shame (Romans 9:33, Romans 10:11). This is freedom to be the truest, most authentic, empowered version of yourself possible. This is a freedom that no external, worldly circumstance or experience can offer. It extends far beyond constantly changing life circumstances and is anchored in an all-powerful, all-knowing, unchanging, ever-present God. This is a freedom that no external source or circumstance can take, except with your permission.
We have been given an incredible amount of free will and choice in life (Joshua 24:15, Mark 8:34, Revelation 3:20). As a result, living in the freedom intended for us is an active choice. It does not come passively, nor without consequence. It certainly does not come “without hindrance or restraint,” as the Oxford Dictionary suggests. There are many spiritual forces that threaten to bind us from the freedom we possess. Our thoughts, patterns, conditioning, addictions and limiting beliefs are just a few of the many chains that can bind us from the fullness of our freedom. So how ought we, biblically, fight for our freedom?
We have a personal role and responsibility in recognizing and confronting these chains, but because this process can involve sacrifice, intentionality, discomfort or other undesirable experiences, we often acquiesce to bondage. For a historical, real-life example of this, turn back to Exodus 16 when the Israelites “reminisced” about living in Egyptian captivity as the Lord was delivering them to the Promised Land. At times, when we encounter challenges, we begin looking outside of ourselves for what already exists in our birthright and we begin to demand that the outside world provide what it does not possess. Rather than taking ownership, we disempower ourselves by blaming outside sources (friends, partner, job, finances, government or any other external relationship or circumstance) for our bondage. We become imprisoned in a cell with the door wide open.
Here is the great news. We are equipped to that which we are called (Ephesians 4:12) and we were called to be free (Galatians 5:12). We can step out of that cell and into our God-given freedom and power at any time. We can disentangle ourselves from the chains that bind us to live in powerful alignment with our calling.
So what does this mean for our everyday lives? How do we, as believers, exercise this gift of freedom in these unprecedented times? While answers to these questions will be unique to every individual, as we are all uniquely created (Ephesians 4:11), guided uniquely by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11), and gifted uniquely with talents (Ephesians 2:10), the following are a few strategies that all believers can utilize to step more fully into their freedom and God-given power.
Breathe
One powerful tool that can be used to embrace your freedom is something you are doing this very moment, in fact - breathing. The Bible says, “the Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4). The simple act of breathing is one small step that can reconnect us with our life and our Creator. Focusing on our breath helps to quiet the mind and drown out worldly input and influence, which can distract us from God and our purpose. Bringing attention to breath requires slowing down, which creates space to connect with God - our lifeline to freedom. Connecting with our Creator provides a powerful shift in perspective that disentangles us from those worldly chains that bind us from our freedom (Matthew 6:28-34).
Pray
There are many proverbial chains in life that have the potential to keep us from the fullness of our freedom - judgement, expectation, conditioning, fear, shame and hatred, just to name a few. Breaking these chains alone, in our own power, is futile. No doubt you’ve attempted and experienced the futility of these efforts at some point. As believers, we have the opportunity to bring our troubles boldly before the throne of God (Hebrews 4:16), the ultimate chain-breaker (Jeremiah 40:4) and the one who has overcome the world (John 16:33). “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6)
Surrender your chains to the Lord and experience abundant freedom. Ask for Him to illuminate any areas of bondage in your life. Ask for wisdom in knowing how to walk in the fullness of your freedom. Ask for discernment in knowing how to exercise your freedom in a way that glorifies God and fulfills your deepest needs. God has a supernatural way of taking our past and present troubles and using them to propel us into our greatest purpose (Isaiah 61:3). You are an overcomer, united with the one who has overcome! Connect with your biggest champion, cheerleader and chain-breaker. As your connection to Him grows, so will your experience of the freedom He intended for you.
Renew
We are constantly bombarded with messages from a world that attempts to define who we are supposed to be, what we are supposed to do, how we should live our lives and what determines our value. Some of these messages are easily identifiable and yet others are so deeply woven into our patterns of thought that they operate beneath our conscious awareness. Most are harmful to living a free life. We must take captive all thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5) or risk becoming enslaved to them. Scripture warns us not to conform to worldly patterns, but rather tells us that we can be transformed through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). The way of the world is bondage so infuse your thought life with intentionality. Bombard your mind with the truth of God’s word, dismantle the lies and embrace freedom.
Align
Have boldness and courage (Joshua 1:9) as you align your thoughts, beliefs and choices with truth. Do not be surprised if this process triggers internal or external resistance. True freedom is powerful and the enemy knows it. Count the resistance as joy (James 1:2) and use it to fuel your pursuit of the freedom God is calling you to.
What keeps you from living the abundant life you have been called to live? Do you struggle with limiting beliefs? People-pleasing tendencies? Addiction to substances, electronics or negativity? Is your worth defined by a number in a bank account, on a scale or the weight on a barbell? Do you struggle to break away from convenience or comfort to live in alignment with your calling?
You are powerful! Freedom is inside of you so own what is already yours. Possess your possessions. Link arms with others and encourage them to walk in their power, too - even people who think, look and believe differently than you. True freedom is magnetic. Living in alignment with God and His truth leads to a life full of deep meaning and purpose; things that our world is starving for. And then when people ask where you got it, point them to the original freedom-fighter and the only true freedom-giver - Christ Jesus.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1). Breathe. Pray. Renew. Align. You have the power to live abundantly in the freedom you have been called to. Will you choose it?
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