Breaking Free From Spiritual BondageSample

Break Free From Emotional Instability

Our emotions can often lead us astray, especially when they are uncontrolled.

Emotions are influenced by deep-seated beliefs, some of which may be false or rooted in painful experiences like abandonment, broken trust, or a lack of community. Today, let’s explore how inviting God to search our hearts and embracing the truth in His Word can lead us to genuine freedom and transformation.

In biblical terms, the heart is the core of our being. It’s where our emotions, decisions, and intellect intertwine. But as Jeremiah 17:9–10 tells us, the heart can be deceitful and beyond understanding. It’s only through God’s discerning eye that we can truly understand and heal our hearts. I love how The Message Bible puts this passage: “The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be” (emphasis added).

In moments of emotional turmoil, it’s easy to focus on the external, the outward appearance—the people, circumstances, or events that we believe are causing our distress. Yet God invites us to look deeper, to turn our attention to Him and the condition of our hearts. He wants to reveal truths to us, truths that can only be found when we surrender our pain, confusion, and misunderstandings to His care.

We need to let God expose the false belief systems that have been at work in our lives and accept the truth according to His Word. I love how Michael Dye, a certified addictions counselor, puts it in The Genesis Process. As the following comparison shows, he encourages us to take a look at true beliefs and false beliefs and ask ourselves, “Where am I?”

Here are the differences between true and false beliefs:

True Beliefs…

• Are based on the Word of God: truth and reality.
• Increase the value and growth of an individual.
• Are proven true through life experiences that edify both self and others.
• Result in safe, healthy relationships.
• Create peace and confidence.
• Result in true emotions.

False Beliefs…

• Are based on fear or arise out of loss or pain.
• Demean and diminish the value and growth of an individual.
• Are proven false by destructive, defensive behaviors and painful relationships.
• Result in separation and isolation from others.
• Create anxiety and exhaustion.
• Result in false emotions.

Want to read the rest of the 21-day devotional? Check out Juan Martinez’s book, Prison Break.