What Does It Take to Be Free?

Freedom can be defined in several ways. Is freedom confined to circumstances or can an individual be free in their heart and mindset? Use your imagination. Picture yourself surrounded by your enemy on the battlefield. The odds of you succeeding are slim. You feel threatened because you are completely trapped. You do not have a clue what you should do next. Then you recall Psalm 23. The passage reminds you that even in the worst situations God provides us with serenity, security, and assurance that He will provide the solution and the help we need. This passage indicates that it is possible to feel free aside from the troubling circumstance you are in. Do you believe that?

It all comes down to how you view freedom. From my understanding, freedom can be defined in two parts. The first is the state of being free of physical restraint. The other is being able to be mentally and emotionally free because of the spiritual freedom and focus God provides through His Word. If I were to believe that freedom comes only when I am not confronted with a trial or some circumstance in my life, then I would forever be trapped. I would be trapped in my mindset, heart, and being whenever confronted with an overwhelming circumstance. That is not promising to me. I have come to find that it is possible to be free in your mindset and heart apart from the pressure of your circumstance because your heart and mindset are fixated on God.

At the age of twenty-two, I recognized that there are too many disturbing events occurring in this world that give me every reason to feel afraid, trapped, and hopeless. So, if freedom is restricted to circumstances, then I am without hope. Being a young African American woman in the United States I have experienced my fair share of pressure and struggles due to politics, societal issues, as well as my lack of financial freedom. According to the world in some way, until my life is perfect, I will somehow always remain trapped. So where does that leave me and all those across the globe who are experiencing the effects of a broken world?

I refuse to believe that freedom is confined to my circumstance. I chose to believe that I can have freedom because of the hope and truth I have in Jesus Christ. According to Romans 8:31-39, I am more than a conqueror in spite of what comes against me. 2 Chronicles 20:1-30, is a wonderful representation of God’s people being confronted with the worst situation on the battlefield with every reason to lose hope and choose fear. Yet, God’s assistance was right there for them and in order for them to be free, all they needed to do was to hold firmly to God’s truth and obey Him. So, what does this mean for you and me?
 

Choose Freedom

Living in a broken world means that we will experience pain and suffering. In John 16:33, God says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Make the choice to choose freedom in Christ. Life does not promise prosperity, but God promises freedom, serenity, and eternity. Take a moment to read 2 Chronicles 20:1-29 and Judges 6:33-40. Recognize that God is faithful and never forgets to help those who place their faith in Him.
 

Be Mindful:

• The Powerful Gift of Assurance: According to God’s Word we indeed have complete security in him because He is our provider and provides us with exactly what we need to continue forward. God calls us to place our hope not in the things of this world, but in Him and treasure His Kingdom above all else. (Matthew 6:19-21; 28-34)

• God’s Everlasting Protection: God has promised to take care of us from the beginning of time. (Matthew 28:20; Exodus 14:13-14; John 3:16)

• Through God’s Power We Are More Than Capable: It is not us but Christ who lives in us who provides us with the power we need to lead triumphant lifestyles. (Zechariah 4:6; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9)