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(My Dearest Siestas, I have hopped back on this entry after 411 comments to tell you that it is everything I can do to stay in my chair today. I have never wanted to do a day-long thank You dance to Jesus so much in all my life. I wish I had 2000+ Siestas to do it with: Those who have broken free and those who, by the promises of God’s Word and the testimonies of hundreds of lives, KNOW THEY CAN!! I can practically feel the blood pumping through my veins. THESE COMMENTS ARE MUST-READS!)
OK, Siestas, I’m about to invite you to share in Part Two of our inquisition for Breaking Free. First, a recap: In the last post I asked you for insight regarding the areas of bondage that most threaten you. All the comments moved us and some were nearly excruciating to read, especially considering how we’ve come to care for one another. I think we have an all-new perspective on the kind of suffering and (often secret) captivity that exists out there…and among many people who really want to do this life-thing right. (And CAN, praise God, with the power of His Spirit. We’ll talk more about that in future posts.)
Some of us may have nearly despaired and wondered, “Is anybody really living in victory out there? Is anyone really free?” The answer to that question is YES. But no one got there easily OR accidentally. We can be threatened by an area of bondage for years without ever being defeated by it then one day, to the great glory of God, we realize it doesn’t tempt us anymore. Without question, nobody’s got it completely together and those who think they do are on the brink of dropping it. But, whatever you do, don’t get cynical and give up the fight. Plenty of believers are living in titanic daily victory over old areas of bondage and have sustained it in the power of Christ for years. In Breaking Free, living victoriously is not living sinlessly. It’s living successfully. It’s the fleshed-out reality of an effective, abundant Spirit-empowered life. Now, it’s time to hear some testimonies of victory. I only have one question for you this time and, again, all answers need to be ANONYMOUS. No others can be posted on this entry. Please make your answers somewhere in length between one sentence and a brief paragraph so that we can read every single one of them.
Question: From what area of past bondage has Christ set you free? Be specific so that our sisters can see that nothing is beyond His reach. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
I love you so.
My wonderful LORD and Savior has set me free from the shame of early sexual abuse, subsequent misuse on my part, and the painful outcome of that. He is so good and so able to heal!
I was abused as a child, by my father: from the time my memory starts( a very young age)till
I was 13 years old. From that abuse I carried lots of issues, and spiritual bondage. I was so young, when I came to Christ and I did because I was seeking a healing for the scars, and pain that I carried with in me. MY biggest breakthrough in my life was the release of the bondage I carried, and the reality of true emotions. For the first time in my life I shedded tears for that child within me who suffered. I felt peace for the first time, and most of all I felt true joy in life and in myself. Christ had showed me that though I may have suffered, HE carried me through it all!
I realized that, “I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”
Three years ago I was set free from a twenty-five year bondage to an eating disorder called bulimia. The “Breaking Free” Bible study helped me find the key to unlocking my prison door – Mark 9:21-24. Like the boy’s father, I asked Jesus to help me overcome my unbelief. He did!!! I am so very grateful for what God has done for me! Not only am I living free…I am now sharing my testimony with others so they too can find healing of the heart, mind and body. Psalm 116:12-14!
Unforgiveness! I am free from unforgiveness…praise the Lord! The Lord restored a severed relationship with my mother…estrnged for 3 years and hadn’t loved her for 36 years.
FOOD! Jesus freed me from a life threatening food addiction. Praise Him! I’ve lived in victory for over 15 years. I was so bound I nearly took my own life. I know what it feels like to live in shame and torment. Struggling Siestas, DO NOT GIVE UP! There IS victory for YOU. If you fail, go to Jesus asap. Tell him what you did and how you feel. Fight it out with Him if you have to. Pray the psalms (start with Ps 13)and don’t believe the enemy’s lie that God doesn’t love you because you binged for the millionth time. I’m praying my heart out for you!
Forgiving the unforgiveable. married mid 30’s without children. After a couple very difficult years of infertility husband confessed that he really didn’t want to have another child. We discussed children and agreed upon prior to marrying. Then he had multiple affairs which he didn’t see as the “real” issue. His perspective was that our marriage was a mistake. Ouch! Forgiving the unforgiveable when the person doesn’t see a need to be forgiven was the hardest thing in life. Though it took time, many tears, prayer, study of God’s word, hard work on many layers BUT GOD.. Christ set me free from the anger, betrayal, shame etc.
Still childless & divorced yet I can honestly say that had it not been for the trials I wouldn’t have become the godly woman He created me to be. I wouldn’t change a thing. It has been a wonderful testimony to my ex, stepchild, family, church, friends, spiritual children etc.
You can have freedom in Christ. You can experience peace & joy in the midst of difficult circumstances. I am madly in love with Christ. He is my husband. PRAISE HIM.
Self-condemnation. Thanks to 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” I repented at the foot of the cross that day & now when I start that negative self-talk, I quote this verse to myself and Satan as a reminder.
-cutting, etc. after about ten years of bondage
-hating myself
-depression! again, after over ten years, praise Him!!!!
-unforgiveness & bitterness
2 Cor. 5:17 is my life. I am in awe of Him. I thought peace & hope were impossible; now their sweetness fills my life. Thank You, Jesus!!!!
Praise Jesus – He set me free from a very destructive, promiscuous lifestyle. He brought my wonderful husband into my life and I have been faithful since the day we met over 12 years ago. We will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary on February 14th.
Christ is setting me free from perfectionism, trying to prove to everyone and especially myself and God that I’m not a waste of space. He’s also keeping guard over the stones He placed over the many pits He just recently brought me out of. Childhood sexual abuse, rape, verbal and emotional abuse, church abuse… several areas and issues that could and try to draw me back to those pits, but Jesus took care of those pits by placing the stone over them and Holy Spirit is faithful to guide be past them, even if it is still sometimes daily.
it would be hopelessness for me. About 2 years ago I was literally crippled and frozen with hopelessness and fear. Jesus whispered to my heart that I can hope in Him…. Slowly but surely, I began to hope again. Since I have learned to truly hope, He has done absolutely amazing and miraculous things in my life that I couldn’t have even hoped or dreamed for! Praise Him!
God set me free from the shame that came from my decision as a teenager to have an abortion. Jesus walked me through the healing process and got me out of denial, through all of the steps of grieving all the way to Forgiven & Set Free! PRAISE HIM ONLY! I now give my testimony to wome’s groups and facilitate a bible study that helps womenm post-abortion bring their sin out of the darkness and into God’s Holy & healing light! GOD IS SO AMAZING & He wants us all to be FREE IN HIM!!!
beth, i went over many of the comments from yesterday. i’m sure you see the same thing but there seems to be a HUGE need for some spiritual intervention in the area of weight/food type of addictions. i know i struggle and i wish so badly somebody actually had some real, good, practical advice…
Christ set me free from the bondage of years of depression following the deaths of two children. Through His leading to a wise Christian counselor, and through His Word,I found the joyful, abundant life He promised. The Bible is the best self-help book ever written!
Secret night time smoking…..Man did satan hold that one over my head, and it kills me to think I let him! I would stay up late to do countless night time chores and wait till everyone was asleep! He would hold quilt over my head like crazy….I would go back and forth making so many excuses , because it doesnt say in the Bible that it is a sin but the guilty feelings it caused in my heart held me back….BUT PRAISE GOD I AM MOVING FOWARD GETTING MY FEET COVERED IN THAT OIL OF MY ANNOINTING!
Worthlessness!!! I am His child & he LOVES me!! I was born to parents who didn’t want me. My husband divorced me after many affairs. He taught my son to hate me, & now my granddaughters repeat what my son has told them. In spite of what the world & family says–God chose me & loved me long before I loved him. Because God loves me I am able to love my family.
After doing the Breaking Free study years ago, God graciously set me free from a lifetime of wishing that I had better parents and He gave me the strength to “honor” and accept them as they were and still are.
I have been set free of the desire to love an undeserving man. After a 30 year marriage, 2 gorgeous children and a prosperous, blessed life, he left me 14 months ago. I have been grief stricken, devastated, and so lonely for this only man I have ever cared about. Through God’s guidance, mercy, and grace, I am able to honestly see many things I have been denying for much of this time. With His strength, I can move on to something much better, with no fear for what it may be. Praise Jesus! I have accepted the promise that all things are working together for good, as I belong to Him, love Him and am called according to His purpose. I grab hold of this promise with a greatful, blessed, peaceful heart.
God set me free from the addiction of prescription medication. I fought it for years. After I realized that part of the problem was that I liked this sin, I fell on my face in repentence. Through the prayers of three women in a condo at a conference we were attending God took the desire away. It was beyond supernatural.
I was set free from the pain of sexual abuse and from hating myself two years ago. I listened to a sermon by my Pastor who told us to think of Jesus’ outstretched arms on the cross. One arm taking all tha we would willingly surrender to Him and the other arm was for holding us close to Him.
I was set free as I spent an afternoon writing all that I needed to surrender to Jesus and then burned the list.
I am free and thanks to your studies am constantly feeling like a new woman! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
OH HE’S SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!
Glory to you God, and to you alone. You are the one, true, living God. You are above all things. There is no one like You. There is no one Your equal. You alone are God!!!
I have been set free for 4 years from a 12 year drug addiction and criminal life style! I have also been set free from being really aggressive, and though I have a long way to go there is a meekness about my personality that was not there before. I am being set free from Idolatry and Sexual Strongholds!
Beth, I have been amazed at the part I and part II answers to your questions. WOW! We humans are going through so much. It is absolutely incredible to hear these stories. A prayer goes up for all of us in whatever our experiences have been/are in this life. How I so look forward to eternity where there is NO enemy!!
Like many, freedom from fear. But mine includes feeling defeated by not finishing college. After 17 years, I am back in school and praise the Lord I have had a 4.0 ever since I went back. Only You, Father could do this!! Together we are finishing what He started in me so long ago.
P.S. For the one who is afraid she will never stop drinking, Sister I am praying for You. Only God can do what seems impossible!!!
Eating disorders. I used to panic about every bite, every workout, every article of clothing, every number on the scale – up or down, good or bad. It was consuming.
The first day I surrendered my bondage to the Lord and asked for freedom, I followed up my surrender with action – with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich…my first in years. I cried tears of gratitude through every bite of that PBJ. I’m sure I looked ridiculous, but it was a moment of sweet restoration for me, and I will never forget my peanut butter victory. 🙂
He has set me free from the pain of guilt and shame over feeling like my abuse as a child was my fault. I was down so far in that pit that I just wanted to kill myself. Thankfully, God placed siestas in my life to help me through. Beth, you were one of them. I went to New Orleans to Living Proof Live and that started the whole climb out of the pit!
He has set me free of low self-esteem! Psalm 139 set me free…to know that I was fearfully and wonderfully made by our loving God. Wow, how can I not feel any self-worth after that?
God has done a mighty work in me. Thank you for the reminder to live into the victory!
I had bulimia for years, but far more delibilitating was my vicous thought patterns of insecurity and perfectionism. Top it off with carefully constructed walls preventing no love in or out (even though I was/am married to a great man with three beautiful kids) and I was a truly pitiful picture of captivity.
I shout out praises for being set free, healed by the Healer and freed by the Free-er. Life continues to have its challenges but I know that I serve a good King, and we’re gonna make it!
This is not something about myself, put a definite healing and victory report.
About five years I was in close contact with a teen age girl who a few years before had lost her mother to cancer and shortly afterward her dad was killed in a car accident. This girl along with siblings was sent to live with a relative. She was so rebellious, into all kinds of things. She is a beautiful girl and I so loved and cared for her and hurt for her. Oh how I prayed for her!
Her junior year in high school she was sent to a home (Christian home for young girls).
I had heard good things about her recently and was so happy.
JUST TODAY, five years later, she was my waitress at the place my daughter and I had lunch. She approached me and asked if I remembered her. She said that she is married and has a little girl and is a stay-at-home-mom, except for a couple days a week during lunch. She looked so good and looked so happy. She told me she just got tired of living like she was and said she wasn’t going to live like that anymore. I had given her a picture frame when she moved and had written several prayers from “Praying God’s Word” and today she mentioned that picture frame and said I might not remember giving it to her, but it’s always been one of her favorites.
I needed that today. It’s been five years since I’ve seen her. God is faithful and He is good!
I have to tell you, the most thrilling thing about all this, the most comforting, wonderful thing in the world, is – THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WENT THROUGH THE SAME TRASH I DID! Good grief! Thank the Lord this is anonymous, or I’d have never posted. I posted my most horrible awful baggage knowing that no one would know it was me. I thought – they thought THEY’VE been in bondage, wait till they see THIS. But, praise God, there are other women out there – great, God-fearing women – who have struggled with the awful, suffocating stronghold of the enemy himself just as I have! And here they are! Free! Just like me! Oh praise His name!
I have to tell you, Beth, you’ve given us some for-instances of what people have been through in Breaking Free and Get Out of That Pit, but here they are, all together singing His praises, showing off what a mighty God they serve! It’s real. God is real, and he really saves. Thank you so much for letting us put our garbage out there. Publically (although anonymously) airing out our junk is so liberating. We’re safe. We’re free.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Mighty are You Lord, and mighty is Your Son, Jesus Christ, who Was and Is and Is To Come! Blessed be Your Name in ALL the earth! I could sing your praises forever! Amen and amen!
Ladies I just had to get on and say. My devotional this morning was Philippians 3:13
But one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. Is that so Jesus or what. Love, Love, Love you all
christ has set me free from the guilt of an affair 15 years ago…and because of His love, I am still happily married to the most wonderful man who thru the Power of Jesus forgave me and has built a life with me…and now God has used us powerfully to imapct others for His Kingdom! Don’t live in defeat girls…Jesus has so much more for us once we truly accept His forgiveness! Freedom in Christ…not bondage! Praise His Name!!!
But for you who welcome Him, in whom He dwells–even though you still experience life on God’s terms. It stands to reason doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive a Christ’s!
Romans 8 (The Message)
He has set me free from Soap Operas. He has set me free from fear. He has set me free from the need for the approval of man. He has set me free from many of my prejudices. He continues to set me free from preconceived ideas and values that I have placed on others. Praise Jesus…I’m free to dance..free to run…I am free to live for Him…I am free.(not always in all areas, but He has set me free from much!)
I just want to shout praises to Jesus! IT is TIME for us some PRAISE dancin’~~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRayKxgePQI
From insecurity, inadaquecy, never being good enough that found it’s outlet, deceptively hidden in a feeling of power by using my sex to give me a false sense of being in control, feeling secure, to being the “IT” girl. The grace of God through the cleansing blood of His Son, my Savior. Delivered me from my feelings noted above, and the guilt I had for abandoning my family. I no longer feel beyond filth, and…PRAISE! He restored my family!!!!!
It’s been 5 years since Breaking Free and I’m still breaking free from things I had no idea were smothering my heart. It was my very first Bible study ever. Now I cannot get enough of Him.
Free from:
-Obsession/fantasy of a failed love — finally. And I’ve been married 8 years.
-Alcohol abuse. I am now able to socialize well in a party situation without a perpetual drink or buzz.
-Free from “relating” better to men than women because I no longer desire that kind of attention. I am now a girl’s girl. My husband has noticed! Thank you so much, Lord.
-Becoming more and more free from being focused on the approval of others and super self-conciousness.
-Much less fearful.
-free from the weight of being my very own commander and chief
-I have been freed up to openly proclaim the goodness of God and how much He loves us! I’ve learned to enjoy Him. I’ve learned how to receive His love!!!
God delivered me out of a homosexual lifestyle! Praise Him! It’s been 13 years now, and no desire to return! God is so good! No one is beyond His reach!
I am only starting week four of Breaking Free, but I am feeling so joyful and peaceful! I have written so many blurbs from praise songs in the margins . . . I could sing of His love forever! Fantastic study format and so much love comes through, not only from our Father, but Beth, too! What a blessing!
wow, what an encouragement to read all the comments!
Lying.
Pornography.
Six years ago, my husband was told to leave our church because of a disagreement with an elder. No one else knew what happened, but they knew that we were no longer at the church and they stopped communicating with us in any way. This included many of my best friends of 15 years, all the primary women in my life and many children I had been like an auntie to since birth. It was an enormous loss, to say the least.
By the power of the Lord, through His Word, through His Spirit, by His Love and by His cleansing blood, He has freed me from the bondage of bitterness and fear and depression and shame. More than that, He filled my heart with a True Love for these people that transcends circumstances and goes way beyond “my needs” for them. He has given me compassion for their brokeness and blindness as I seek mercy for my own. I ernestly pray for Reconciliation for the sake of His Body and the Glory of his Name, not my desire for acceptance or affirmation. He is Sovereign!!!
free from being sexually abused/raped by family member and other men. He has renewed my mind.
I’ve never shared this with anyone. I struggled with homosexual feelings, even though I was happily married. Got attached to someone who also struggled (set up by the enemy). (Our feelings were much more emotional than sexual, but I do believe that is how it all starts.) Praise God, nothing ever happened, but the struggling went on for almost 8 months. It was like an attack on my mind day after day. I wanted to be free, but couldn’t overcome it. One morning, I found myself at the alter at my church and told God that I didn’t want this woman to be my God, that I wanted Him to be. (My mind was on her so much, that I realized it was something like worship). He instantaneously healed my mind and emotions. I know it doesn’t happen like that for everyone, but I was under oppression when I knelt down and I was FREE when I got up! I no longer struggled and was able to do what needed to be done to distance myself — for me and for her. That has been 12 years ago now, but I will never forget that feeling of my oppression lifting. Oh, I love Him so.
He set me free from an unfounded and ridiculous lack of trust in my husband, from accusing him of horrible things. It was destroying our marraige. After being abused by a family friend and priest, I had learned to long for and hate men at the same time! What a wild and terrible ride that was! My mother has the same distrust of my dad and disdain for men in general. Growing up drenched in this coupled with some poor counseling led to a heart wrenching case of false repressed memories. What a mess!With courage on loan from God I confronted my dad. (way harder than it sounds to confront a man who has only-and still after such a horrible accusation- loved you!)The LORD confirmed to me without a doubt that my dad had not done any such thing! Taking those steps of faith that day led to a miraculous removal of the total distrust I had for my husband. I was immediately freed from the burden I had been suffering(and suffering others with) for so long. What a load off! What a powerful,patient and wonderful God we have!
TODAY…I had 2 answers to prayer!! This morning I was feeling so wretched, but while driving into work, I made a conscience choice to Praise Him and give Him all my feelings of worthlessness and sorrow. I laid my petitions and concerns at His feet and told Him that I TRUST GOD no matter the outcome. My 1st answer to prayer was that He completely changed my rotten attitude and filled me with an overwhelming sense of His presence and peace. Then, within hours, the 2nd answer came when my husband called with news that something had been handled that I had specifically brought to the throne this morning. I was numb for a moment at His goodness, then full of love and appreciation for His overwhelming grace & mercy in my life.
I still have concerns I am dealing with, but He showed me today that I can trust Him “In This Thing” because He has proven faithful in my “other things!!”
Love Him and love you too Beth!!
Praise you Jesus there are more victories posted, than bondages!!! God gets the victory!!!
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND DEPRESSION
Oh Beth, I read Breaking Free from cover to cover, thinking the entire time that I had nothing to “Break Free” from…then, I would lay awake & not be able to sleep at night fearing untimely death and worrying how my toddler would manage without me. I was obsessed to the point of writing letters to my family detailing how I wanted him raised. I was fearful of travel – even across town out of sheer fear. Remember, I was still thinking I had no strongholds, still reading your book thinking about the strongholds of others, not myself. To make a long story short, I prayed myself silly, and oh HE is so faithful. He set me free! Then the devil decided to hit me from another angle – lust – discontentment with my otherwise great marriage. I suddenly found myself strongly attracted to many different men. Again, I prayed and rebuked the devil. HE is so much greater than my wildest imagination! Again, HE SET ME FREE. How AWESOME is our God? Just when you think there is NO WAY OUT – HE makes a way….I know it, I’ve lived it. I am so blessed by this post and all of the comments! They are so real…so raw…such a testimony to real life – no masks!
After reading all of these I am so encouraged and reminded of all the things Christ has set me free from that I had totally forgotten I was bound by–Wow–but I have to share this most important insight–I had 1 “greatest fear”–you know the one thing you tell God “anything but that”. . . and just 2 weeks ago it came to pass–and I am completely set free b/c I am still here and God has so amazingly shown Himself to me the past 2 weeks that I am in awe. Not sure where to go from here but knowing He will direct my steps. He sets us free in the most unlikely ways ladies–keep reading your Bible and praying. Beth, You are truly the coolest Bible Chick ever!