Freedom :)

Life has a new perspective for me now. I used to live under the bondage of past friendships and past situations in my life that had caused a lot of pain. Just recently I finally let go of all of that hurt and bitterness! Life has new meaning! My relationship with God has been strengthened and worshiping him has taken on an entirely new meaning and feeling! Don't hold on to the pain of the past, it will haunt you and always be lurking in the background trying to pull you down. I was reading the blog of a good friend of mine that passed away a year ago and his words spoke to me even though he is no longer with us,
"While I realize that not all change is bad, the change that hurts usually tends to be in the back of your mind. Relationships will change over the years and some will end while others will strengthen and grow. I do wish that things didn't have to change, that I didn't have to keep doing new and sometimes painful things, but where would I be if nothing ever changed in my life.
I would never be the person God has destined for me to be if it wasn't for the changes in my life."
His words are so true. Yes, change can be painful! But if we don't change then how can we grow?? If there is no winter we cannot have spring! If we do not have the seasons in our lives where we feel like we can't handle the pain, then we can't continue to grow into the people that God wants us to be. That is not saying that God wants us to go through pain, he would much prefer if he could shield His children from pain, but because he has left the world with free-will and the ability to make choices,there is pain... In order to strengthen the blade of a sword, the metal has to be melted and molded and heated. The process isn't pleasant. There is constant change, but the end result is a strong defense. If we can use the situations in our lives to learn something then the pain becomes a strengthening process.

Freedom is a wonderful thing, there are times when the memories will surface but now, I can remember them for the good, not for the pain and because of that, the memories are so much more enjoyable. They are a part of my life that I am glad I remember, but I'm also glad that I can now remember them minus the pain.

God can take away hurt, God can take away the pain. I held onto the pain of situations for a long time because it was familiar. I could hide in that pain and feel secure. I had gone through the motions of forgiving and moving on but I hadn't truly given it to God. The moment I decided to be done with the pain and move on, I look towards heaven and simply said, "God, I'm ready" and he took it away. Just like that. The tears poured from my eyes and I accepted the freedom that God had been trying to give me for so long.....

Live in the freedom God offers, its so much more enjoyable than living in the familiarity of pain.

God Bless.