On Sunday, America celebrated its 245th year of freedom. And based on the number of fireworks I heard on Saturday, it was a two-day celebration for many people! Although, for me, while the 4th of July brings many joyful memories of family get-togethers and cookouts – it also carries a little fear. Thankfully, this past weekend the Lord reassured me that I am free in Christ and free from fear.
Free from Fear
July 3, 2018
As soon as I rolled over, I knew something was wrong that Tuesday morning.
The clock read 4:30 am, and it was moving in a circle. Dizziness and nausea overwhelmed me. I closed my eyes and tried to go to sleep, hoping and praying that it was just extreme exhaustion.
By 7:00 am, I knew that it wasn’t. My symptoms were so bad I couldn’t eat or walk. I just wanted to sleep and not move.
As the day wore on, my wonderful husband, Craig, insisted on taking me to the ER. Of course, the ER was the last place I wanted to go. However, knowing that the doctor’s office would be closed for the holiday, it was my only option to get some much-needed relief.
After a six-hour visit to the ER, we were finally able to go home around 3:00 am on July 4th. I was diagnosed with extreme vertigo. With the medicine and the IV I received, I was able to walk out to the car on my own with no assistance. I thought that I was in the clear, but as the day progressed, the symptoms returned, and I felt even worse than I did before going to the ER.
At 8:00 am, July 5th, Craig called my general practitioner’s office and requested an appointment. Unfortunately, the doctor wasn’t available that day, but the receptionist said she would message the nurse and get back to him. She didn’t. So he called again at 9:00 am and got the same response.
This went on for hours.
Finally, at 2:00 in the afternoon, I was able to get in.
Not only did I finally receive medical treatment, but I was also able to see a physical therapist. With the combination of the medicine and therapy, my dizziness went away, with extreme hunger replacing it.
Thankfully, I haven’t had vertigo since that fateful 4th of July.
However, every July 3-5, the fear usually comes back.
But not this year.
This year, I was free from fear and free in Christ.
Free in Christ
In all honesty, it has taken me a while to proclaim that I am free in Christ. Yes, I can read numerous verses in the Bible about freedom in Christ, but to actually believe it – took some time. At times, I tended to view the world’s standards of how life should be – do good deeds, and you will be rewarded (sounds eerily like the prosperity gospel, doesn’t it?).
A true relationship with Christ isn’t like that. All Christ wants from any of us is our love. He sees how we really are; people who are living in a broken world who need to be loved. There are times when I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, and I’m sure you feel that way too. The heaviness is too much to bear, but through prayer and handing my worries over to the Lord, a huge relief washes over me.
We all experience true freedom by knowing Him and walking in His ways.
Here are a few Freedom in Christ Bible Verses for those days when life is just plain hard!
- John 8:36 – So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
- John 8:32 – And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
- John 1:12 – But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
- Romans 6:20-23 – For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
- Galatians 5:13 – For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
My favorite verse in freedom in Christ is Romans 12:1-2, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Jesus Loves You!
When the enemy tries to steal your joy and rain on your parade, remind him that you are free in Christ. You are loved, and nothing will ever change His love for you.
I encourage you to hand your fears over to Christ and live freely in Him!
Free Resources for You
Previous Blog Posts
Welcome Friends!
My name is Missy, and I love Jesus!
I am a Christ-follower, wife, mom, author, and speaker. I am dedicated to empowering women to live audaciously for Jesus. Now is the time, friends, to step out of the shadows and tell everyone about Him!
I am the host of the "Bold Faith Now" podcast. The podcast that empowers you to embrace a fearless faith journey. If you want to live out your love and faith for Jesus with unwavering courage and conviction, this podcast is for you! Click here to listen!
