Who's in Control?

They promise them freedom, but they themselves are not free. They are slaves of things that will be destroyed. For people are slaves of anything that controls them. 2 Peter 2:19 (New Century Version)

The words stood out to me like a 4,000 watt neon sign……people are slaves to anything that controls them!!! It is the bottom line truth of any and all addictions. I have known such bondage and been a slave more times than I care to recall or recount. Bondage to relationships, food, attitudes of the heart, mindsets, and even legalism. I can tell when “it” is in control and when I am being controlled. Not good and not fun.

I begin this new year with a fresh realization of what I was enslaved to in 2010. It is not a time of beating myself up but rather of looking once again to the only One willing and able to set me free. In some areas, simply cooperating with Him is life changing in itself. For instance, I have changed my diet to include more protein and that has resulted is a freedom from the pull of opting for high carb foods. My energy level is up as my weight is once again heading down. For me, it was a relatively easy fix, and yet I still see it as cooperating with God.

Other areas are not as easy but every once in a while I gain some insight that previously eluded me. Bondage to a past relationship continues to be a daily issue for me. While I have changed some behavior the heart is still feeling the struggle. A friend recently gave me a nugget of truth I have pondered for the past few days. The desire to hold on to what I need to be freed from will only take place as I choose to embrace something new in my life. In other words, the pull will only weaken and eventually break off as I take a hold of what God is offering to me.

So what hinders me from doing that? The false belief that what I desire to hold on to is better than what God is choosing for me now. That false belief will only be conquered as I once again rest in the truth that His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. He knows what is best. He knows what is needed in my life.

I want 2011 to be a year of unprecedented freedom for me. I want to fully embrace God and His plan for me. At the same time, I want to fully celebrate the person He has created me to be. That begins with reviewing who I am in Christ and all He is in me.

Father, may I stop longing for what was and take a hold of what is with all my heart and both my hands! Amen.

You Are Loved - Hope's Call
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkNUsZzBwi8

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.