Freedom Update – The Good and Not So Good

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Two weeks into The Faith Project. It's time for an update. A freedom update. Are you making progress living in freedom Let's talk...

Two weeks into The Faith Project and it’s time for the first update.

So, how’s it going? Well, some good and some not so good.

The Good

Trusting that my freedom is complete because of Jesus is going great. I believe Jesus has made me:

1. Free from the guilt and shame of sin.
2. Free from slavery to sin.
3. Free from the lies we tell ourselves

He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:7

I am following through . . . confessing and repenting each day for two reasons . . . to remember that God’s gifts of grace and forgiveness are daily and ongoing and to help me stay mindful of the things I need, with God’s help, to change.

Two weeks into The Faith Project. It's time for an update. A freedom update. Are you making progress living in freedom Let's talk.

The Not So Good

Letting go of the past is hard for me.

I know the truth – If Jesus has set me free, I am free truly free. John 8:36

But I do guilt really well. REALLY WELL. I can feel guilty about things that aren’t my fault. Things other people have done. I can still feel guilty over things that happened years ago. Things I know God has forgiven. Things I trust people have forgiven.

But, there’s a problem…

I’m susceptible to the enemy’s lies. When he whispers shame or points his gnarly finger I’m quick to agree with him.

You too?

Then join me. It’s time to hold on to God’s promises of who we are and quote them to Satan each time he throws our pasts at us.

Promises like…

Holding on to guilt and shame is believing your forgiveness is up to you. It's not. You are forgiven. Your past is forgiven. You can let it go..

Here are a few more promises to help:

For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 10:11–12

Where is the god who can compare with You—wiping the slate clean of guilt,
Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of your purged and precious people?
You don’t nurse your anger and don’t stay angry long, for mercy is your specialty. That’s what You love most.
And compassion is on its way to us.
You’ll stamp out our wrongdoing.
You’ll sink our sins to the bottom of the ocean. Micah 7:19

“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” Isaiah 43:25

If God promises to forget our sins, to never think of them again . . . I think we should too.

The Better 

Not good, but better is getting free of my inner Pharisee.

Pride shouts Pharisee. Not pride that feels good about an accomplishment or a job well done. But pride that thinks I’m better than. Pride that says, “I’m glad I’m not as bad as everyone else.” Paraphrase of Luke 18:11

I hate that kind of pride in me because it doesn’t love well. Pride points fingers and fails to offer compassion and help. That’s not who I want to be.

So, I’ll keep taking the Are you a Pharisee Heart Check. I’ll keep asking for the forgiveness I know I need. And I’ll pray that for the Holy Spirit’s help to look at everyone through my Father’s eyes.

More Good

When I introduced The Faith Project I mentioned I was a little nervous about sharing my successes and failures publicly. What I didn’t mention was my nervousness about potential attacks from Satan as I worked to change and grow in faith.

Oh, how he hates that. So of course, I’d get tested right away in an area of weakness . . . fear.

In the past month, I’ve had a couple of health issues. Things that had the potential to send me into a fear freefall.

I’ll be honest. I was nervous as I waited those days between doctors appointment and tests, but the good . . . I wasn’t in a panic. I wasn’t afraid.

Sure. I’d love to live many more years healthy and with minimal pain, but I trust God’s got me. I can count on His promises as I look back on His faithfulness. I can say, “Back off. God is with me. He’s got this.”

Thankfully, most of the news has been good. Praise God!

So…

My Freedom Update:

  1. It’s a daily adventure and one I’ll have to keep applying well into the future.
  2. My progress will be challenged and will include some steps backward.
  3. I’m not on my own. God is with me. He’s with you too.
  4. You, my encouragers are a huge help.

Speaking of you. Thank you! When I started this I wondered if it was something anyone would care about. When everyone was talking about their word for the year, I had my doubts.

But you’re awesome! Your comments and help to get the word out blesses my socks off.

We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here

and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.

Never Miss an Update

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I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

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10 Comments

  1. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!

    I have to say this verse to my heart all the time. Thanks for underscoring the truth of it today!

  2. It’s hard to admit publicly both where we succeed and where we fall short in life. Thank you for being so transparent.

  3. Hey Deb,

    I love what you are doing with these freedom updates. Letting go of the past is difficult for me as well. Some days it’s easier than others, and there are weeks where I feel like I’ve made progress, only to take a step back, the following week. I love learning from writers who are real and honest in their journey–it’s something that I’m striving to do as well.

    Thank you for sharing the insights you gain from your journey each week. I know it’s helpful for me. Wishing you a blessed week!

  4. Hi Deb,
    Thank you so much for featuring my post! I’m so thankful God used it to bless you!

    I am praying for you along this journey of freedom! I love how you are bringing us along. It is inspiring! Oh, how the enemy loves to use fear, and oh, how intentionally we must put up our armor each day.

    Thank you for being the blessing that you are!

  5. Galatians 5:1 is such an amazing verse and great for those still trying to wrangle free from the chains of sin, guilt and shame. I will be sharing this with with friends for sure!

  6. “To remember that God’s gifts of forgiveness and grace are daily and ongoing.” Thank you for that powerful reminder! Praying for your health, and that all goes well. Thanks for hosting and hope you have a wonderful weekend 🙂

  7. It takes so much courage and faith to speak bluntly and honestly about your own place in the process, Deb. It truly means so much, and is helping me to be much more honest with myself as I trust God with my fears.
    Praying for healing and good news!
    Blessings!

  8. Thanks for the update! I love it when people share honestly and openly from their heart! Hey…and no worries! You are ONLY two weeks into this! It is only natural to hit a few bumps along the way, especially when our #1 enemy is seeking to pull us down. You are wise to remember to not listen to His lies! Like you, my mind tends to go back to earlier times and to past sins. But, with practice, I am trusting that God will help to keep me focused on today and remind me that I am loved and forgiven!

    Blessings, JOan

  9. Deb, Like you, I struggle with letting go of past events. In my heart, I know that Christ has set me free–it’s the whole living that way that is a challenge.

    Thank you for the update on your journey. May we all learn to live in the freedom that we have in Jesus Christ!

    Blessings!

  10. Hope you are feeling better, Deb. Hugs