I was praying in tongues one morning, and the most wonderful revelation hit me. Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)!
If you look around, you will see several people chained to things, other people, memories, or so many other different factors in their life. The enslavement may not necessarily be visible, it can be a thought pattern that binds you forever to limit yourself to your present situation. Why do people choose to stay in their misery? Cussing and cursing God to no relief? The word of God says, ‘people perish due to lack of revelation’ (Proverbs 29:18).
What Keeps Us from Breaking Free from Chains?
Ignorance is the number one cause of prolonged misery and enslavement.
‘What you don’t know can’t hurt you’ isn’t the truth. Instead, what you don’t know can kill, steal and destroy every good thing that God has ordained for your life. God’s plans for you and me are plans of prosperity, wholesomeness and peace. Our Father wants us to flourish like palm trees, strong and sturdy, deeply rooted in the word of God, claiming and living our inheritance in Jesus Christ.
The Difference Between Chains and Boundaries
Boundaries are good in that, without them, the world would break into chaos. From the sun to the sky and the seas, there’s a reason why God predefined their expanse while speaking them into existence. The laws of Nature work best in boundaries- that’s the law of the land, you can’t trespass, and it’s for your own protection.
Yet, there are very subtle differences between boundaries and chains.
Boundaries protect you; chains make you prisoners.
Boundaries are often set by God; chains are set by human beings.
Boundaries are meant to instill peace and security; chains cause misery and discontent.
Boundaries set you apart; chains group you with the rest of the fallen world.
God is not a control freak. He sets you in places and surrounds you with His favor and protection, but He never forces you to stay there. When we walk out of His circle of protection and favor, we walk into chains cause true freedom is in Christ alone, and anything that’s not Him can never grant us lasting peace and security.
When you are within boundaries, you worship God with reverent awe. When you are in chains, you worship the things of the world.
The good news is that your chains are your choice, and you can always choose to break free. But before you can do that, you need to identify what you are chained to!
Know the Truth to Break Your Chains
I have compiled a list of resources from spirit-filled church leaders and pastors that will help you identify your chains and choose to break free today. Yes, the Bible is the ultimate authority over all deceits of the enemy, and yet at times, listening to others who got out of similar struggles can boost your faith to break the chains. I pray that this blesses you!
Loneliness
You never feel more lonely than when you are on top. Dr. Myles Munroe rose from extreme poverty to be sought out and consulted by heads of nations for his infinite God-inspired wisdom. And yet, there were times when this man of God felt alone. The thing is, some choices are difficult and not so ‘favored’ by other men. So, what do we do in such difficult moments?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
Lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight! (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
Delays
We live in the instant culture; from instant coffees to Instagrams, everything in our life takes place within a finger snap. Factually speaking, we are poorly structured to ‘respond’ to delays. Anything that takes toooo longgg isn’t just worth it! Right? Wrong! Breaking free from chains of impatience and frustration is the best thing you can do for your life!
Bit by bit, drop by drop, step by step, we reach where we are meant to be. So, even if it takes 7 years (like I did to realize I wasn’t designed to do CA) or 40 (in the wilderness, Joshua 5:6), delays are worth it!
Rejection
Rejection is a burn with an eternal sting. It can be something as simple as a scornful look or spiteful words, and the trauma of feeling “unwanted” and “unloved” stays with us forever. The good news is we are not alone. The Son of God, Jesus Christ was perhaps the most rejected man who walked on the face of the earth. His own people didn’t want Him- sadly, they never saw Him as the Messiah. He was welcome amongst prostitutes and tax collectors and rejected by Pharisees and other religious teachers.
Could anyone ever be more misjudged than Jesus? His rejection took Him to the cross. Even in the final hours of His life, the crowd chose a criminal, Barabbas, over Him. And yet, He is and will forever be The Lamb worthy of all our praise (Revelation 5:12).
If men reject you, great! They rejected Jesus first. He is forever FOR YOU! You are seated with Him and have an inheritance that is everlasting and unperishable. (1 Peter 1:4). You are marked!
Failed Relationships
This one is my personal bummer. Ever loved others to be never loved back? Or, entered into relationships with past baggage that sabotage new joy? Most of us millennials have one thing in common- a broken heart. Some due to our own stupid choices, others from the reckless behavior of the ones we loved. Yet, our heart isn’t beyond repair.
We crave love; we were designed for love, but when we look for it in the wrong place, regrets and shame are inevitable. So, do we stop loving? Do we stop expecting? No!
We love, but with the love of Christ, and we expect good things from Him. Only a Christ-centered relationship can last the test of time and the whims of the world.
I and several others learned this lesson the hard way. A broken heart is indeed the most difficult chain to mend, but with Christ, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE (Matthew 19:26)!
Hope that these resources bless you and make you stronger, wiser, and free-er than you were ever before. Mind renewal is a continuous process, every day we are faced with fresh battles in our mind and yet each day we grow more and more into the image and likeness of our Savior Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
So, Happy chain breaking!!!
