There has to be more than this? I think this is a question we all ask ourselves many times. We know that our sins are forgiven but we still seem to carry the guilt, the wounds, the heartbreak, and the circumstances of life. We want to be “free” like the bible speaks of but how? How do I live this thing out when the problems seem endless? How do I keep my act together? How do I keep from sinning? Why don’t I feel more love now that I am in Christ?

I used to fully believe others when they said” Yeah, I’m good!” “kids are good, work is good, family is gooood.”  That response is a learned behavior because people would think we had lost our minds if we said something like this… Actually, everything is falling apart in my life…”I lost my job, I’m pretty sure my husband is cheating on me, my kids are acting crazy and I sure could use a drink right now.” Unfortunately, quite a few people would slowly back away and possibly gossip behind your back as if you are the crazy one and did “something” to invoke that kind of destruction in your home. Humans love to shame others so they can feel a little bit better about themselves and their own messy lives. This is not the way God intended it to be. He intended us to love and be aware that we have a real enemy who wants to dismantle our families and livelihood. He wants His children to show mercy and compassion because in this life we will have trouble.

See, the reason most of us aren’t free is because we live externally. We are unhappy but put on a smile and fake it. We dress ourselves up on the outside but the pain is very real on the inside. I’m miserable but I can’t say that because I am a Christian. Or maybe you are not a Christian but you still have this image to uphold. You may even find yourself pushing yourself harder “to become” what society says you should become. The problem with society is that one minute it’s like “be yourself” and the next minute it’s like “don’t be yourself, be someone else.”

You stay stuck on this treadmill of life wondering and waiting for that abundant life God talks about. Will you ever experience it? Is anyone else really experiencing it?

God is clear when He says love, trust, and rest. We try but nothing seems to be happening so we go back into the flesh ( our own independent self- efforts) as we try to make something happen on our own.  Apart from me, you can do nothing. What does this verse mean? I think as I break this down from Parallel Commentaries, you will better understand your place so you can fully grasp the blessings and love He gives freely when we are in Him.

Let’s back up so you can see the whole verse…Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit, For apart from me you can do nothing.

Jesus Christ is the vine ( the true vine). The union of the human and Divine natures, and the fulness of the Spirit that is in Him, resembles the root of the vine made fruitful ( abundant life) by the moisture from the rich soil. Believers are the branches of this vine. The root is unseen, and our life is hid with Christ; the root bears the tree, diffuses sap to it, and in Christ are ( now I want you to really hear this part) ALL SUPPORTS and SUPPLIES.  Never was any husband or watchman so wise and so watchful about his vineyard ( his family) as God is about the church, which therefore must prosper. When we honor God by spending time with him, by seeking his guidance, by our life choices, then we are in Him and He is in us. When that happens and we rely on Him more and more, His help becomes greater and greater thus releasing our position ( which really is His position). There is this great line from a movie that I love…” There is not enough room on the throne of your heart for you and God, step down.”

I now ( not all the time but more)  can find myself stressing about a situation and if I just call out to Jesus and tell him how I am feeling, my stress level decreases, honestly. It’s like this calmness slowly unfolds and I know that it is Him and I know that I am going to be alright because He is with me at all times.

So as long as you see yourself as the source of your life, you will have to keep striving and putting on those appearances. Ask yourself these 3 questions.

1. Who is life?

2. Where is the life?

3. Who am I?

Once we really get those things settled in our mind and emotions, life becomes easier because our perspective is on high. We know because we know that He is our source and we are the vessel of His life- holy, righteous, and blameless in His sight.

God wants us to have a plan but then release that plan into His care as he adjusts and changes.  As we release more areas, we can expect more help. He is teaching us what is really means to trust so don’t give up on God because He will never give up on you.

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