Fearless Girlعينة

EXPERIENCE FREEDOM

There have been times in my life when I was living in pain for so long, I couldn’t even remember what it was like to be free. During my lowest point of struggling with anxiety and depression, I remember driving home from work every night feeling so alone, lost, confused, purposeless and like my only escape was to drive my car off the highway or into oncoming traffic. That dark place of hopelessness felt inviting and like it would lead to my ultimate freedom. Maybe you can relate to that feeling and have had similar thoughts. If you have, I know your pain and understand what you’re walking through. You are not alone, but the lies of the enemy have likely made you feel like you are the only one in the world going through this. 

In order to be free from something, we need to first gain a revelation of what’s holding us in bondage. I believe many people are enslaved to fear, a prisoner of their anxiety and paralyzed by torment without even realizing what they are bound to. Compulsive or irrational behaviors are often born out of deep-rooted fear that goes unnoticed. We can go years without realizing we are not living in freedom because we have grown so accustomed to living in fear. This could be as simple as rejecting invitations from friends to hang out at the pool or beach because you feel self-conscious about your body or refusing to commit to a church because of a bad experience. Or it could be more extreme and preventing you from allowing yourself to be loved by someone so you build a wall around your heart, never letting anyone in. These prisons hold your dreams hostage as you stay frozen in a perpetuated state of torment. Whatever your prison may be, the first step to finding freedom is acknowledging that you are bound and identifying the chains of fear that are holding you back. 

Freedom from fear can be yours! You are just as qualified as the next person to getting free. In our illustration of hiking the mountain, freedom is found as you reach the top of your mountain. It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for and pressing towards as you took each step. Now, at the top of the mountain, you are free from the struggle of the process. You have faithfully stayed the course and overcome your fears. You can rest, catch your breath, and take in the sights. The top of the mountain represents winning the battle against fear, finding freedom and you’re able to look back on your journey so proud of how far you’ve come. This is true freedom, celebrating the process, the pain and the purpose that has brought you to this moment. 

LIVE THE ADVENTURE:

1. What areas in your life have been keeping you bound and holding your dreams hostage? What prisons are you in? 
2. Do you feel hopeless, extremely alone and like the only way out is doing something extreme or dangerous? If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, I encourage you to seek help. You are not alone. There are people who want to come alongside you. Go to anthemofhope.org  for resources on how you can receive help.