January 9 (Choose to Loose) - Free Indeed - Abundant Living After Abuse

January 9

Everyone on this planet has to choose one time or another. In fact, every day we are faced with different decisions that places us in positions where we have to make choices no matter how small or how great. We have to choose on many things for example, follow through or not to follow through with reading this devotional, or choose for or against education, take on a new job or not take on a job, marry him or her or not. Hence, to achieve mental wealth, we have to choose to heal from our past or not. Yes! You read it correctly. We even have the power to heal from our past hurts and memories of abuse through Jesus or choose not to heal. Why? Because we have the power of choice and free will. These two are very dangers indeed when we have been abused and are in bondage.

When we have been abused sexually or spiritually we hold on to so many bad memories, emotions and feelings that fill the corridors of our minds which then flood our core being and not to mention our spiritual connection with our  Loving Savior. When our senses, our mind and our emotions are taxed, we cannot choose wisely. Study shows that there is a correlation between childhood abuses and crime, obesity, and all kids of disorders. In fact, study also shows that addictions, immune disorders, cancer and other health issues may be a result from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s).  

Let’s face it, because of the power of choice and freewill we will always have the propensity of choosing poorly and making mistakes but we should learn from them. Sometimes, I hurt people because of my poor choices and I have to live with this regret but I am constantly learning from my mistakes. There was a time in my life that I chose not to choose for fear of choosing poorly and hurting someone’s feelings. Then I started thinking, what would life be like if we had no choices or freewill? We would be as robots, aimlessly living a life not worth living. What would life be if choices and decision making were taken from us and we had to live under the control of a dictator? Dare I think of such a life? 

Our Loving Savior gave us freewill and the power of choice. How amazing it is to have the power of choice and freewill at our disposal? So, with all this power who keeps us from destroying ourselves? The answer is quite simple. Jesus! It has been my experience working with women and men who have been abused that healing from their past is the elephant in the living room…the fork on the road. They know it is there, they know that it is affecting them but they don’t want or don’t know how to make the best decisions to get better. 

Great news! Today, you have reached a fork on the road! Isn’t this exciting? When we reach a fork on the road and we have to choose to heal, one could choose to loosen the shackles and only through Christ’s power or not.  The Bible states in Matthew 18:18 "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Through His power you can bind or loosen your bondage on earth or Heaven through Christ. I say this from my own experience because I am a survivor of sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, mental abuse and the list goes on and on. It was not until I got the desire through the (Holy Spirit) to make a choice to heal from my past. I could not have done it alone. I had to get support in addition I had to to build an intimate relationship with Jesus. What also helped me in this journey was learning about his promises. I would suggest going to a Christian counselor and join a Christian help group as well so that you have others to encourage you along your journey. My friend, just remember that you are not alone. 

Make the decision today to “choose whom you will serve.”  Joshua 24:15 Choose God today, He won’t let you down. Whatever it is you are going through at this moment, remember that you are loved. He is waiting to see your heart.  Won’t you let Him into your life today? Give your choices and your decisions to God, give them up, He will lead you into healing from your past pains and sorrows.

There are many promises in the Bible and one that I believe is fitting for this devotion is found in Jeremiah 29:11 “for I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” You can have a future free from hurtful memories from your past.

Only you can choose to believe in His words, only you can have the power to give it to the Lord so healing can begin. Through Christ, you can choose to bind or loose what is keeping you in bondage and be free from your past. 

You are at the fork and Christ is at your door to begin a marvelous work in you. Are you willing to choose to bind and or to loose?