If your goal is to experience the abundant life Christ speaks of in John 10 then it is imperative to walk in freedom. True freedom can be defined as the ability to do what you should without hindrance. My questions today are the same as they were in part 1. Are you really free? Is there anything that hinders you from freely pursuing and living the life God designed for you? If there are hindrances, know that you can overcome them. With Christ in your life, you have already been declared the victor!
The practical experience of freedom from hindrances comes as you embrace the truth of God’s word about the issue. In order to change your actions you must expand your thinking. More specifically, your thinking must be in line with the will and word of God. God desires that we are able to pursue and fulfill the purpose he set for our lives. A life trapped behind hindrances can impact the expansion of the kingdom. Procrastination, fear, and lack of life balance are a few examples of hindrances that deny you true fulfillment of purpose. Surely, they sound familiar.
Everyone deals with these issues at some point in their lives. Confirmation of this is found by looking at the sheer number of methods, tools, and catch phrases on the market today. At almost any retail store you can find planners and organizers. Statements like “don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today” and “just do it,” are perfectly crafted to help you move into action. Each of these things can be helpful but without a foundation of faith they lack the power to go the distance and provide eternal victory.
Believers must address these issues from the aspect of faith. Failure to do so will only contribute to their continued “choke hold” on your life. Admittedly, temporary relief may be found by employing new ideas and methods in accordance with your will; but eventually that which is not based on the word of God will not prevail. As a believer you must learn to continually cultivate the ground of your faith. Use methods as tools. Action or methods employed without the foundation of faith are unfruitful and do not produce God’s abundant life.
The world may teach that you can simply take a broken system, employ a few new surface methods, and voila! The system is now fixed and you can now succeed. But Christ teaches us that it is faith, along with the renovation and transformation of the mind that produces success and pleases God. So, I encourage you to walk and live by faith and use methods and strategies in proportion to your faith in God. Address hinderances in your life at the level of belief and you will overcome. Ultimately, recognize that your faith in God is the fuel for your success and freedom.
If you completed the exercise from part 1 of this post ( remember you were asked to think about things that hinder you). Take out your list now and begin to address your hindrances at the level of faith. When you do this you are definitely on the path to experiencing a new level of freedom. As promised, here are some tips on overcoming a few of the common challenges that get in the way of our success.
Procrastination Spiritual truth: Proverbs 27:1 “do not boast of [yourself and] tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth. AMP
- practical application: recognize that you have a problem, embrace Gods word and do not take time for granted, determine to do what is required. God will supply your needs.
Fear spiritual basis: 1 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self- control.” AMP
- practical application: acknowledge and confess the issue to God. Stand on the provision he has made for your victory over fear. When we experience fear, we are being challenged to release power, love, or self discipline into a situation. In order to overcome determine to give the situation what it requires.
Lack of life balance: spiritual truth: Matthew 6:33 ” But seek (aim and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (his way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. ” AMP
- practical application: believe it or not a life out of balance is an indicator of spiritual imbalance. The mandate here is clear. Seek God first. Before you seek success or solutions look for and get under God’s authority. Then seek and employ his righteousness. When you do this God will increase you.
Blessings to you today and always,
MC