Letting go of the past – to experience freedom – 24 January 2023
By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
Bible text(s)
Isaiah 44
Galatians 5
Preserve your Freedom
Philippians 3
Last week I received an e-mail from a reader who wrote: “I’m struggling to come to terms with my husband’s death. He took his own life in December. He was 48 years old. We now realise that his business was experiencing financial challenges. I struggle to forgive myself. On our last day together, we had an argument and slept in separate rooms. The next morning he said goodbye to our little boy and I watched him drive off through the window. Why didn’t I notice his depression earlier? Everyone is saying that it is not my fault, he was sick, but I can’t help but feel bad. It feels like no help is working …”
My heart goes out to this reader. Her e-mail is a wake-up call for all of us to be more sensitive towards those around us who are suffering. As for the resentment … BEWARE.
The enemy walks around like a prowling lion. He is looking for opportunities (in each of our lives) to rob us from our joy and peace. When he sees that we are feeling guilty or ashamed about something, he turns that thing into a heavy iron ball around our ankle. His main objective is to break our speed and prevent us from realising that Jesus died precisely so we can experience life in abundance – without any heavy balls around our ankles.
In Isaiah 44:22 God says, “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” In Galatians 5:1 we read, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” And in Philippians 3:13 it is written: “… one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
When we repent, God forgives us. He removes all the iron balls around our ankles so we can run to the finish line with confidence. May we experience that freedom. God bless.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for setting me free when I repent of anything I did in my life. Please remove all the “iron balls” from my ankles that are preventing me from enjoying life in abundance. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
