Freedom is Self Care: Do we Want to be Free?

Overcoming Life : Taming Emotions

emotional support, negative thoughts, overwhelmed

Good morning,

Have you heard that song on KLOVE radio "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."? Man don't we all want to believe we can be free. Well sister you are! The devil is just busy at work trying to convince you that you aren't.

Baby this is coming from a first born 90s baby blessed with that gotta get out of here spirit. Lists of goals before the age of ten. God really had to work with me on this one. I wanted every moment in my life planned. When any inconvenience arose, my day was ruined. I didn't have the space available for the interruption. Me choosing to go against my calendar or even budget meant sacrificing the timeline for something I was reaching towards.

Maybe I planned something with my daughter that day and now I needed to pick up someone. My grandmother is notorious for having someone show up and she is ready with a list of things she needs you to do before you leave. How long do you think it took for me to arrive where I am today from irritation.

YEARS! The issue wasn't her though it was me. It was my job to communicate "Grandma today I came to just enjoy our time together. You can tell me all the things you would like me to do. I will find a time I can get it done."

How much better is that response over being upset saying "every time I come over you have stuff for me to do." Then an argument ensues. God sent Jesus to set us free from sin. He was also sent for our freedom in relationship with yourself, others, and God.

1 With God

Before Jesus, animal sacrifices had to be made to restore relationship with God. Communion with God came through the priest mostly.

After Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit a part of us connecting us to God always no matter where we are. I was actually reading about the Samaritan woman today. John 4:1-26.

"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit & truth." John 5:24

Today it stood out to me that God is spirit. That spirit is in us. Without Him present, there is no worship. He can not dwell in places where we are lying to ourselves saying we are doing something for the good of others. God does not want us so tired that we have no time to talk to Him.

2 With Others

Bring the truth into your relationships. You can have freedom. That does not mean everyone with want to remain friends but it does mean that God will separate you from whom you need to be separated. I can't tell you how many times I was sad about the end of a friendship only to find out year later it wasn't a true friend.

God knows who is for you and against you. Often times it takes us to take a step back and evaluate what is bringing us closer or further from God. If it takes you away from God, your freedom is in jeopardy. To survive this walk you need to be able to hear God's voice. When you feel it fleeing it's time to reevaluate.

3 With Self

Look at how you are serving in your community. Are you serving on a committee because that's what you've always done and others expect you to do? Are you overserving beyond the role you have committed to? Warning signs that it may be time for a change other than hearing God less is:

A. You dread going! You do not have to change anything now. Observe yourself a few months. See if your intentions matches your action.

B. It put you in a sour mood. For instance, what you do requires smiling. If you are so irritated the whole time you can't serve with joy. Should you still be doing it?

C. You can't wait until it's over. You may be like me, an introvert. I function well in public because I have been raised in church and around universities. I know though that I do not like being in large crowd of people. Because people see me as happy and know I love to help I often say yes to things I haven't thought all the way out. Planning is fun for me. Execution not so much. Maybe helping to plan is all I should do.

None of this is easy to learn. I've found the hardest part of it all is seeing the truth within yourself beyond how others see you beyond expectations you put on yourself, and even the expectation you put on others.

I have a dear friend in her 70s who has walked with me in life through a lot. I remember us talking about a certain church committee I had been on for years. I was starting to not enjoy it. I felt obligated to remain serving because I was doing a good job. I asked her why she never served on this committee. She was great with people and knew a good number of people. She said "I know that I do not do well in those environments."

She went on to say she didn't like the anger that rose in her body when people didn't show up or contribute causing people get overworked. "I won't be apart of the planning or the committee but, if they ask me to do one task on a certain date. I can do that." She said. Man if we all communicated what we could/would not do. You owe no one an explanation. Prying eyes want to know and gossiping minds will talk but walking happily in freedom with our God is so much better than...... "anything that this world could ever offer me."

Press on sisters. God loves you. Feel free to continue the stories in the comments whether you are overwhelmed or have successfully embraced God's freedom we want to know. We need your advice because we are #bettertogether #betteringourselves.