When elephants are young, they are placed in chains that allow very little mobility. They grow so accustomed to these chains that, when they are much larger and stronger, it never occurs to them that they are able to break free.  The poor elephants have no concept of their own strength. The fact that they are very capable of breaking the chains that bind them never occurs to them.

Freedom is a really big deal to God. Christ came to proclaim freedom for the captives and a release from the darkness for the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1.) Too many people, however, still live in bondage to fear. That fact is this world does offer enough reasons to be frightened.

There is no way to know what tomorrow will bring, but Satan would love for you to waste today worrying about it.  The what-ifs and the should-have-beens and the if-onlys, they can bind up a heart faster than anything and render it useless. The noise of past regret can ring so loudly, but not louder than Christ’s promise of freedom.

You look in the mirror and see past mistakes looking back. Embarrassment and shame can enslave a soul. After all, if people knew, who would love you? You want to be wanted, accepted, needed…and so you live in bondage to your secrets. But there is One who calls you beloved and He has set your heart free.

It is true. You once were a slave to your own sins and desires. Fear and insecurity did have you bound. Look around you now. Christ broke every chain.

You are free.

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