Getting Rid of Baggage.…
Outer Banks in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina—Loved this beautiful place!
In Monday’s post I declared a truth I believe with all my heart: Jesus still calms storms.
Having said that, I’d also like to say I believe we have a very real enemy of the soul whose purpose is to feed us all kinds of untruths that keep us stuck in the storm. The enemy is the instigator of pure evil but also uses more subtle tactics to keep people who sincerely desire to do what is good and God honoring from living peacefully, joyfully, and freely.
For that to happen, we may need to get rid of some baggage weighing down our boat. What baggage might we need to discard? Here, listed in alphabetical order (I don’t want one to seem more significant than another) are some possibilities:
Abuse, past and/or present
Addictions – all sorts
Anger
Comparison
Complaining
Condemnation
Discounting my own needs/desires
Envy
Excesses & Excuses of all sorts
Fear
Gossip
Greed
Guilt
Harshness
Hatred
Irritability
Insecurity
Intolerance
Judgmental spirit
Labeling/Name-calling
Neglect
Pride
Religious dogma
Resentment
Revenge
Shame
Stinginess
Stubbornness
Thanklessness
Unwanted or Unbeneficial yearnings
Unforgiveness
Unresolved loss and grief
Unwillingness to explore my own bondage(s)
If this thought resonates, check any you know apply to you. Then,
Trusting to the best of your understanding that God loves you and wants the best for you, bring your checklist to God.
In silence—if you can—sit with God concerning these matters.
Listen with your heart to what the Spirit is saying.
Read Hebrews 12:1 & 2 slowly and prayerfully.
Consider emotions—even negative ones—that come to light as gifts from God allowing you a window into your soul.
When needed, ask for and accept forgiveness.
Ask for greater awareness and divine grace that enables you to change directions.
Give thanks.
