I stand singing to the top of my voice, the sound weak, quivery, and tear-filled. I am overwhelmed by the freedom I have found in Jesus Christ.

My chains are gone. I’ve been set free.
My God, my Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood His mercy reigns,
Unending love, amazing grace.

It has taken years, but this song is now real to me. I know a freedom in Christ that I’ve wished for these many years. I speak now to you words I wish someone had spoken to me. Perhaps they did and I simply couldn’t comprehend.

I am now in the autumn of my life, (umm, let’s say late summer) and I wish I had taken hold of this freedom in Christ years ago. I grieve for clinging to my chains so long. I see that while I am set free, I have permanent marks left by the chains I’ve worn for so long.

So my encouragement to you today is in 4 parts.

1. Turn loose of those chains. Christ came to die for our sins and set us free. We may pray to accept Him as our savior at a fairly young age, but we often hold onto the old bad habits, guilt, shame, and sin. Let it go! It’s your choice. Satan will tell you You can’t. You’re not worthy. You’re bad. You’ll never change. What will people think? Do it later. Let go of those chains that bind us!
2. Ignore the enemy’s lies. Becoming a new woman in Christ and walking in faith requires self-control not only of our actions but also of our minds. Speak the truth of scripture in your heart to combat those fiery darts the evil one throws. Consciously reject those lies and speak truth.
3. Choose to change today. Don’t waste the years of your life living in fear and defeat. It is a choice. “Choose you today whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15 NIV) Choose and act now. There are ramifications on our lives for years to come if we do not choose to walk forward with Christ in freedom.
4. Look forward to what God has for you, not back on all your failures and regrets. We cannot change our past. But when we walk into the future with faith in Jesus, He will redeem all things even when we see no imaginable way. “For nothing is impossible with God!” (Luke 1:37 ESV) Things from our past can be set right, renewed, restored, and made whole. “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV)

The Lord has promised good to me.
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

I hope you receive these words and act on them. You won’t regret it. Blessings!

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 ESV

My Chains Are Gone – Chris Tomlin