For Freedom

Dear Sister,

What burdens do you carry around with you? Do you ever feel depressed or oppressed? Are you carrying a burden that feels too heavy to bear, or dealing with something about yourself that you are trying to hide from others? We all have times like this, whether due to outside circumstances, self-inflicted situations, or a combination of both. At some point in life, we feel trapped. We are trapped in a complex web of circumstances and emotions with no apparent way out.

In my life, I found myself in one of these circumstances when I woke up and realized that I was struggling with anxiety, insomnia, dealing with a recent miscarriage, and uprooted from our home on purpose. I had health issues related to gluten. I had an overwhelming sense of burden to meet the approval of others, on top of having two toddlers at home. I asked myself, "How did I get here?'" Burdens came from all sides, some by self-infliction, others by circumstance. I was in physical and mental trouble. I needed help! As women, we can put on a good front. If you met me, you would see a good Christian mom who reads her Bible, serves at church, takes care of her family, and serves in her community. But as I woke up, I found myself in this horrid situation, and I realized I was a fake. I proclaimed to be free, but I was truly in bondage. Galatians 5:1, “it is for freedom that Christ has set me free.” What the heck does having freedom look like? Christianity promises freedom, but I sure didn’t feel it.

After counseling and lifestyle changes, I found freedom because Christ showed me the key, the first step to unlocking my self-made cage. This key to freedom starts with surrender to Christ. “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:6-7

This is the death of a mental and spiritual sense, not physical by any means. I was enslaved to doing good works, enslaved to the approval of others, enslaved to my unattainable perception of what a perfect mom looked like. When I put all of those thoughts and perceptions to death in my mind, the things that held me down had no power to enslave me any longer. I replaced them with the truth of God’s promises of who I am in Him. I was set free.

Daughters of the High King, what are you enslaved to? What is holding your affections, time, and energy that only leads to more bondage and fear? Lay them down before your heavenly father, and He will say to you, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28

Your worth is immeasurable. You have been bought at a price. You are loved.

Love,

Kayleen Moore