I was sweaty and flushed when I returned home after being out on a run/walk. My ribcage hurt like a Boa Constrictor was wrapped around my mid-section.
My regular sports bra was in the wash so I had wrangled my way into an old one that I had no business wearing based on my current weight. What could happen? I mused as I headed out.
Scissors. That’s what.
Hubs wasn’t around when I got home to help extract me from the thing, and as much as I tried to get it off, I was hopelessly stuck.
too tight
I started thinking about Ephesians 4:22 which says:
“put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life
and is corrupt through deceitful desires…”
This “putting off” refers to taking off our clothes and putting on brand new ones to symbolize a complete change of heart. Just like my sports bra no longer fit, so our former sinful ways should no longer fit with our regenerated lives. Our sin shouldn’t feel good anymore. It should hurt us and squish our hearts. It should make us uncomfortable and unable to breathe.
My sin du jour is bitterness. What’s yours?
legit
Satan always gives us permission to justify our sin. You deserve to feel this way, he hisses. You were treated unfairly and they deserve to suffer, he tempts. Let’s get even, he sneers.
If he can legitimize our sin then we’re far less motivated to do anything about it because we feel entitled to it. Entitled and oh so far from the heart of God.
true
The Holy Spirit on the other hand, invites us to look at our sin square in the eye and bring it right out in the open. Give it a name. Examine it from every angle and dissect it under the penetrating truth of scripture. And then take the Holy Spirit-scissors to it. Cut it out of our lives completely.
I’m not sure what you’re struggling with today but I encourage you to stop trying to out run it.
Turn around and face it. Name it. And in naming it, take responsibility for it’s hold on your life. And then get out your toddler craft scissors like I did (the only ones I could find in my desperation) and cut that thing out of your life so you can breathe again.
Praying for you today!
Rhonda
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Once again poinently written and relatable. I too am constricted with the tightness of something that just needs to be cut (like so many of us – because life, right?) Rarely do I want to name it – I would rather justify it. So glad to see your beautifully expressed encouragement in my inbox again! Now where did I pack those scissors…
Love you so much Ang xo
I’ve been wondering when your next blog would pop up so I can read it ❤️ Thank you for sharing your heart mom and for the encouragement to all of us. I love you so much!
I love you so much honey! Thanks for being such an encouragement to my heart!!
It’s so funny, I was just thinking about you yesterday and then here you are popping up in my email today ❤️
I too have been holding bitterness for a hurtful situation that happened two years ago. I don’t wish them any sort of suffering but for some reason I am struggling to just let it go which is causing me to suffer which is not helping my mental health. I just need to cut the ties! Thank you!
Teena, God’s timing is unbelievably perfect isn’t it? The Lord will give you the wisdom and the strength to let it go. And in letting go, you’ll be free. Much love and many prayers are surrounding you today!
You’re not alone in this wrestle Teena, and reading your comment helped me remember that neither am I. 💛