What is God’s truth in this situation setting me free from? And what new freedom must I explore now?
Beloved, there are as many answers to this question as there are situations in your life. But of vital importance to them all, and standing on the threshold of freedom, is the truth that the old you is dead (Romans 6:3-11). Your old man was crucified with Christ, and you have been raised to new life in Him (Gal. 2:20).
Your old man uses behaviour modification and other worldly-wise response strategies, with sustained self-effort, to manage the anxious risk of being overwhelmed by life’s situations. The new man leans into the Lord, to discover how He sees the situation, and to learn how to take charge of it in your new identity in Him.
The choice, as always Beloved, is yours. Will you respond to the situation from the familiar old nature and petition the Lord from a place of intimidation and doubt? Do not expect your prayer to be answered. You have not been abandoned, quite the contrary, but your petition was not heard because dead men have no voice.
The Father has placed you into Jesus and given you the wonderful Holy Spirit as a guide and teacher and He is establishing His own nature in you. Will you choose to stand with Jesus in the (sometimes messy) process of learning how to be the new, true, resurrected you? God has put you in a place where you can be safe. Not just saved, but safe. He has given you all of Himself and welcomed you into the Kingdom. Now He is joyfully and tenderly using all the situations in your life to teach you who you are. You have been set free from the old so you can experience and explore the new.
‘Before you were even born, your redemption was already completed. Not just forgiveness from sin and self–destruction, but also the elimination of all forms of negativity in your heart and mind: anxiety, fear, panic, worry, all forms of dread, every negative thought, every negative emotion, every painful word, and every evil deed. True liberation.’ Letter 1, The Nature of Freedom by Graham Cooke.