Am I holding onto chains Jesus broke?

I read something a while back, and I don’t recall where I read it, who wrote it, or even the exact wording. But the gist was something like, “Let me never embrace as my own something Christ died to free me from.”

This has really stuck with me.

Scripture is full of chains shattered and shackles undone by the blood of Jesus and His Word. 

In fact, Jesus never met a bondage He didn’t break if the person a) wanted to be free and b) believed in Jesus’ words. 

But how often do we embrace and even bear as our identity things Christ died to free us from?

• We experience panic attacks, so we claim anxiety.
• We experience depression, so we wear that label.
• We experience sickness, so we immediately welcome the disease as “mine”.
• We sin, so we view ourselves as ‘wretched sinners’ (which we certainly were BEFORE accepting Christ, but now we are washed clean)!

Now, let me be clear. Following Christ certainly doesn’t mean we will never experience panic attacks, or depression, or sickness, and it doesn’t mean we will never sin. 

It also doesn’t mean denial, and it doesn’t mean never going to a doctor or seeking help. I’m incredibly grateful for people who have helped me and who are still helping me. God has called people to these ministries and vocations!

But it DOES mean things like sickness, fear, and sin are no longer our identity, so we never have to welcome them into our lives.

Satan – not God – is the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came so we might have abundant life (John 10:10). 

Does fear steal, kill, and destroy? Does depression? Does sickness? Does sin?  Yes to all. And this list is hardly comprehensive!

Why are we still embracing things Satan tries to use to steal, kill, and destroy in our lives? What’s worse, why do we call ourselves by THEIR name. My anxiety. My depression.

These are all things Christ died to FREE us from. 

• Isaiah 43:1-2 – Fear not, for I am with you
• 2 Timothy 1:7 – God has not given me a spirit of fear
• Romans 15:13 – The God of hope fills me with joy and peace
• Psalm 16:11 – In Your presence is fulness of joy
• Psalm 103:3 – The Lord heals all my diseases
• 1 John 1:9 – God is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness
• 2 Cor. 5:21 – I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus

Satan may try to attack me with things like fear, anxiety, depression, sickness, disease, sin, or a host of other things meant to steal, kill, and destroy, but I’m not going to welcome them into my life, invite them in for coffee, and prepare a guest room for them!

Because I never want to embrace something Jesus suffered and died to free me from.