May 28th

May 28th     

Don’t let lies keep you from freedom, Part 2.

Lie: I’m the only one struggling with this.

It is an unfortunate trend in the Church community that people pretend that they have it all together and are doing it all right. The reality is that when you confess your struggles openly, others see hope. Others identify with the struggle and feel relief to know that they are not struggling alone. This is one reason why CR is so good. Rather than being narrow focused like AA, Celebrate Recovery embraces the fact that EVERYONE has some hurts, habits or hangups that they need freedom from at all times. When we pretend that we don’t have struggles, we hurt ourselves but we also rob others of the encouragement and help that they could have from hearing our honesty. Honesty and genuineness open the door to freedom.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:19-20 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

1 John 1:8-10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Set yourself and those around you free by being honest about your struggles. Not only does it offer freedom from secrets and pretending, it provides accountability, understanding and encouragement. If the Holy Spirit is your biggest cheerleader, your brothers and sisters in Christ are the rest of the cheer squad, but we can only be there for each other in that way if we are honest and real.

Jesus, thank you for your forgiveness and redemption. Help me to be honest with you, with myself and with others about my struggles. Help me to stay aligned with your Word and your will for my life. Help me to encourage others in their walk with you and show me how to walk in your purpose for my life. Help me to surrender my struggles to you and show me how to walk in your victory in those areas. Help me to remember that I am not the only one struggling with these things and help me to recognize the way out that you provide in my moments of temptation. Thank you for making that way out Jesus.