Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Staying Out of Prison


There were no steel bars. No guards to prevent my escape. Yet I was a prisoner. A prisoner to thoughts and fears that immobilized me. The more I focused on my fears, the stronger my imaginary prison cell became, until there was no breaking free.

Negative thinking gave rise to all sorts of suspicions. I was afraid of what others thought of me. What they might be saying. Without being aware of it, I had fallen prey to the deceptive thought -trail of depression.

As the downward spiral continued, it was virtually impossible for me to concentrate on anything other than my perceived problems. I wanted to be free, but didn’t have the strength to leave this prison cell of my own making. How was I to escape? My thinking had to change.

Over the course of nine, long months, the Lord used family, friends, godly counselors, and medication to bring me out of the pit of depression. He reminded me of the plan He had for me – a plan to walk in victory, not defeat, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Corinthians 15:57; KJV). That was more than five years ago.

Today, I’m aware of how easy it is to find myself right back in ‘prison.’ Maybe not a captive to depression, but to one of any number of other ills: anger, pride, covetousness, envy. And the list goes on. How do I remain free? Jesus himself gives me a clue, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” (John 8:32). I must be intimately acquainted with God’s Word.

Thousands of years ago, two men found themselves in prison. A literal prison. Complete with steel bars, shackles, and guards. The prisoners had been whipped and treated poorly. Their crime? Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Had I been in their place, I can only imagine the pity party that I would have thrown in my honor! But Paul and Silas’ response was much different, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” They may have been deterred from speaking to the townspeople, but they continued witnessing for Christ through their songs to the prison inmates. They refused to focus on themselves. Instead, they worshipped God and sang of Him to a captive audience.

Beautiful mindset. Keeping things in the proper perspective. Loving God first and being concerned about the needs of others. Look at the results, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed,” (Acts 16:26). The prisoners were free to leave, yet Paul and Silas took the opportunity to lead the jailer to Christ!

The Lord wants me to walk in victory, too. In fact, He’s issued a Get Out of Jail Free card exclusively for me. As I read His Word and yield myself to obey His will, I’ll maintain the proper focus and be able to stay out of ‘prison’!

Are you in ‘prison’? What step will you take to get out today?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your truth can make me free. Help me identify any sin that holds me captive. Today I choose to put You first and truly care about others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

23 comments:

  1. Great reminder, we're free in Christ! I've felt trapped but only by the grace of God have fetters fallen. Lovely post!

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  2. So many of us our prisoners in our thoughts and emotions. I pray freedom for so many hurting.

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  3. Thank you for sharing your personal story. We all fall prey to those prisons at times. God is the answer for everything!

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  4. There is truly a battle going on for the mind. Not only does Satan try to keep us enslaved with negative thoughts, but we make our own prisons by giving into them. Your testimony is a beautiful reminder of God's saving grace. Thank you for the inspiring post today.

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  5. Beautiful, inspiring post Maria! Thank you for sharing your story.

    This post reminds me of the verse, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." So many things can keep us in bondage, but when we are in Christ, we don't have to be.

    Blessings,
    Michelle

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  6. Love this! Great way to look at things, very eye-opening. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Great post Maria, thanks for your honesty. Being free is one thing, staying free another. Only deep communion with God and His word can do that. Often I have to fight my thoughts with scripture, but it always works.

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  8. Oh wow Maria...this one really touched me! I can very much identify with the "prison" and sometimes I wish that the "corrections officers" would shake me to reality and then leave the "job". I needed to read this post...thank you!

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  9. For me, my prison was fear, not necessarily depression. I'd like to say He has removed my fear, but that's not exactly true. He has allowed me to function despite those fears that are still present, though much less often. I've learned that fear serves to keep me dependent upon Him. And so while I don't welcome fear, I recognize that God uses it for His purpose. And I am no longer captive to it.
    Blessings,
    Susan

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  10. Prisons without walls can be some of the most confining. Great post!

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  11. Jesse - Good to see you! Your comment reminded me of the words from the Chris Tomlin song, Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone. Beautiful concept isn't it? An even more amazing truth! Have a great weekend enjoying your freedom in Christ! :)

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  12. Diane - Thanks for stopping by! You're absolutely right! It's good to know the truth, Christ freed us from the power of sin and we no longer are slaves to it. Sadly, we often don't live like it. But each day we have the opportunity to believe this truth, submit to Christ, and live free from sin's shackles. God bless you!

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  13. Lily - Great to see you! Thanks for your encouraging words! You've got the right idea - "God is the answer for everything." Hoping you have a great weekend experiencing His freedom!
    Hugs and blessings!

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  14. Brandi - Well said! Yes, the battle real IS for our minds. I think of all the scriptures that tell us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. And to think on the right things. Every day we're able to choose our thoughts. And we'd better choose wisely because our thoughts soon become our actions! Have a great weekend! God bless you! :)

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  15. Michelle - Glad the Lord can use my story, and hopefully prevent others from ending up in the prison of their mind. Neat that you mentioned the Galatians 5:1 passage - I read it before I wrote this post! Love how the Lord does that! And you're absolutely right that we don't have to remain in bondage - we can choose to go free. Our debt has already been paid and sin is no longer our master. Praise the Lord!! Have a great weekend!

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  16. Christine - Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate your words of encouragement. Praying you have a blessed weekend full of the freedom of Christ! Hugs!

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  17. Marja - Thanks for your words of wisdom! "Being free is one thing, staying free another. Only deep communion with God and His word can do that." Beautifully put. Love knowing there's power in God's Word. Activating His Word with faith gives us the ability to stay free. Have a wonderful weekend, full of His blessings! :)

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  18. KC - Good to see you! Glad the Lord could use this post to help you. After the car wreck that caused me to experience anxiety and depression, a friend of mine encouraged me by sharing a great way to view difficult trials: "Lord, don't allow a moment of this trial to be wasted. Use it ALL to bring honor to You."

    Have a great weekend, full of the freedom only Christ can bring! God bless!

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  19. Susan - So good to see you!! Thanks for your transparency - I'm always touched when blogger friends share a part of their lives with me. What an awesome lesson the Lord has allowed you to get a hold of: "I've learned that fear serves to keep me dependent upon Him. And so while I don't welcome fear, I recognize that God uses it for His purpose."

    Thanks for your submission to our Heavenly Father! You're an inspiration! Have a truly blessed weekend full of His freedom.

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  20. Warren - Good to see you! What a great observation, "Prisons without walls can be some of the most confining." Always appreciate your words of wisdom. Have a blessed weekend!

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  21. What an inspiring and raw story, Maria, and I thank you for sharing it.

    So many of us have endured some level of depression, whether mild or severe, for some period of time. It's true what you say---that the deceptive thought-trail of depression creates suspicion, shifting our focus from where it ought to be.

    I admire your detailing of the mental prison and the ultimate freedom from it as described in John 8:32. What powerful imagery.

    Blessings to you and yours.

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  22. You are so right. It's my thoughts that keep me captive. I'm so thankful for that get-out-of-jail-free card that Jesus gave us all.

    Great post!

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  23. Hi Maria -

    Thank you for your transparency and sharing your struggles.

    Fears always kept me paralyzed. Joyce Meyer once said, "Do it afraid." The more we give into fear, the more strength it has. I also memorized scriptures related to not fearing and God's protection.

    While the temptation to fear comes, it's lost its stranglehold.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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