Does your life match what you want ?

"If it is the Son (Jesus) who gives you freedom, then you will be truly free." John 8.36

At one time in my life, I put all my misfortunes on the account of others. Nothing was ever my fault or my responsibility. I was convinced that everyone I was with was to make me happy. And if I were not, it was always the fault of others. I had given my entourage the power to decide how I felt. I had not understood that I had the power to determine my own happiness and that, if I were unhappy, it was due in large part to my egocentricity. I was thinking only of myself and I was waiting for everyone around me to accede to my desires.

Seek opportunities to serve and encourage others.

My first step towards freedom was to accept the responsibility of the woman I was, and to stop accusing others or expecting them to make me happy. I also realized that Jesus came to allow me to triumph over the harmful effects of my past. And it is essentially by teaching us to love and to be merciful towards others that he makes us free.

This is why my next step towards freedom was to learn to see the needs of others instead of focusing on mine. I searched for opportunities to serve my neighbor without asking myself if my work would be recognized. I began to encourage, help, serve and support those around me.

When I was finally able to turn away from my personal needs and take care of those of others, an extraordinary thing happened : I became less and less accused and gradually learned to see my own responsibilities. I was then able to address the changes needed to be freed from the slavery of my past.

What about you ? Does your life match what you want ? Are you a prisoner of behaviors you do not like? I know it's easy to put your situation on the account of external circumstances and think If only I earned more money or If I had a better job, If I was married, If I was single, If I had no children. Yes, yes, yes! But these are just excuses. Jesus has provided all that you need to walk in freedom.

Action for Today

Do not be complacent in the role of the victim. Stop looking first at yourself. Seek opportunities to serve and encourage others.

Joyce Meyer

Source (The Thought of the Day)