Sometimes insecurity, shame, and fear shackle us down in despair. Weighing down our arms like lead so that we cannot lift them to praise our Savior. Restraining our feet from stepping forward to live a life of freedom and devotion to our God. Molding our necks into a downward thrust that we fail to lift our eyes to see the goodness God surrounds us with.
In Christ Jesus and His sacrifice for us, He has already unlocked all these shackles. So why do we so often bind ourselves up again? Why do we refuse His powerful love? Why do we avoid Jesus’ proffered hand and refuse His key to freedom?
Sometimes we long to reach out for that key He has promised us, but insecurity, shame, and fear have such deep roots in our hearts. Jesus longs for us to lay our chained-up hearts at His feet. To believe in His power to shatter the shackles. He lifts our bruised and bleeding bodies and hearts and hugs us to Himself, saying, “My child, I understand what you’re going through. Grasp hold of this truth – I love you and want to free you completely. Believe that you are precious to Me and you will always be safe and enough in Me.”
Jesus has such inexpressible patience with us. His love is so unconditional, and His grace is so freely given. As a testimony of who He is and what He has done for us, I feel a need to write. I confess that sometimes the words don’t always flow freely like I hear many writers experience. I feel inadequate, I fear rejection, and it hurts too much to write transparently. Yet I feel His nudge to answer the whispers He places in my heart. He won’t let me go. He mows down all my excuses with His faithful promises, “My child, have I not promised I will never, never leave you or forsake you? Have I not promised that you can do all things through Me? Trust Me, My child. My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness.” (Deut. 31:6, 2 Cor. 12:9)
“But He has said to me,
‘My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy
are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation];
for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself
most effectively] in [your] weakness.’ Therefore,
I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ
[may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP
Sometimes when we’re in despair, we can’t see how God has helped us through so much. When the chains of insecurity, shame, and fear are deadweight in our lives, we can feel like He has totally forsaken us. We can feel so worthless that we can’t imagine Him even wanting to think of us. At those times, we are blind to our true identity in Him, the power of His love that has brought us through many deep valleys, and the promise that He will always be with us. We forget that every breath we take is Him breathing life into us.
The powerful love of Jesus will always be stronger than any shackle that binds us. God’s power parted the Red Sea and freed the Israelites from slavery. His power rose Jesus from the dead. His power can reach into our shackled hearts, too. He is powerful to burst the chains asunder that hold us back from joy in Him. Powerful to break all barriers that inhibit us from living a life in the fullness of the freedom there is to be found in Jesus. Powerful to “strengthen our weak hands and steady our knees that give way” (Isaiah 35:3), to give us a dance of victory that echoes praises to His Name.
“Shackles [Praise You]”
by Mary Mary
“Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise You
I just wanna praise You
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I’m gonna praise You
I’m gonna praise You”
Freed to Fly 
Amen! He’s come to free us from our chains … as messy and complex and crazy as they are. And I loved this song, Trudy.
Here’s to shackles long gone …
LikeLike
Yes, Amen! No chain is too “messy and complex and crazy” for Him. There’s so much hope in that, isn’t there? I’m glad you are encouraged, Linda. May we learn more and more to dance and praise the Shackle-Remover! Hugs!
LikeLike
“I feel inadequate, I fear rejection, and it hurts too much to write transparently. Yet I feel His nudge to answer the whispers He places in my heart.” Oh Trudy … the most important word in these sentences is one of the smallest–“yet.” You write, even though you feel all those things that we all feel (probably more than you think). And your words make a difference, my friend … they really do. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for pointing out that little word “yet,” Lois. No matter what negative voices assail us, “yet” we will answer God’s nudge. God’s sufficient grace still enables us to “yet” answer. Thank you for your kind words, too. May we cling to the all-sufficient grace in Jesus! Hugs!
LikeLike
Thank you for these precious thoughts this morning, Trudy! Yes, those shackles feel so heavy, but all it takes is “His nudge to answer the whispers He places in my heart. He won’t let me go.” Only a nudge from Jesus! I too needed this reminder today, to PRAISE Him because His nudges are more than enough to overcome all of those weaknesses. Blessings to you as you continue to feel His nudges and His Grace! *Hugs!*
LikeLike
Thank you for the blessings, Bettie. Yes, those shackles feel so heavy, don’t they? And there are many more kinds than what I mention here. Chronic illness can also be a shackle, right? I’m glad this encouraged you. How true that “His nudges are more than enough to overcome all those weaknesses.” May Jesus keep nudging us to praise Him regardless of the troubles we go through! Hugs!
LikeLike
Hi Trudy! I so agree that our emtions can act like a shield to blind us to the love of Christ. Things like shame and regret, these are powerful weapons in the hands of evil.
I was struggling myself with feeling down and full of mistakes last night and this morning. It was only prayer that lifted the fog.
I am so grateful for the patience of Jesus. Where would I be if he let go of me? I don’t even want to think about that.
Gods blessings to you for a joyful day,
Ceil
LikeLike
Hi Ceil. I have been sensing you are struggling more lately. I’m so sorry. I’m so glad God lifted the fog this morning. I think when we are experiencing health problems, we get more easily discouraged, too. A constant ringing in your ear must be so wearing on you. I’m still praying for you! Yes, isn’t Jesus’ patience beyond amazing? May Christ’s love powerfully pierce through that shield of our blinding emotions! Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shame and fear and insecurity can so easily blind us to God’s promises and the freedom we have in him, but I’m grateful that Jesus’ love is stronger. I love that you fight through those feelings of inadequacy and the fear of rejection to answer God’s call to write- and I know it blesses many people. I love the song- it came into my mind as soon as I started reading your post and then I scrolled down to see it had obviously been on your mind too!
LikeLike
I love that the same song came into our minds, Carly. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words. I’m so grateful, too, that Jesus’ love is stronger than those shackles that can hold us down. May we more and more learn to dance and praise freely and without restraint! Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen, sister! Love your beautiful encouragement today, Trudy. I get so stuck at times because of this: “insecurity, shame, and fear have such deep roots in our hearts.” Those 3 things have been my unraveling on more than one occasion. Jesus is truly the way out and I’m so thankful for His patience with me. Thanks for your words of wisdom today!
LikeLike
I’m so grateful you were encouraged today, Candace. I get so stuck, too. Those roots are awfully deep, aren’t they? I’m so glad Jesus is so endlessly patient. May He help us to cling to Him as our Hope and Rescuer! Hugs!
LikeLike
Amen! Such good, powerful, freeing words, my friend! And what a great song, I haven’t listened to that song in years thanks for the reminder!
LikeLike
Thank you, June. I’m so glad it was freeing for you. Jesus’ love is so powerful, isn’t it? May He give us open hands and open hearts for His love! Hugs!
LikeLike
Trudy,
I’m so grateful that God’s love is more powerful than anything that holds us captive. Although our hearts may know that to be true, sometimes it’s harder to actually experience it, isn’t it? But I know as we walk (and sometimes stumble forward) in our healing, he is there to meet us — so grateful for your words! xo
LikeLike
Me, too, Valerie. There’s such hope in His love that can conquer anything. But yes, it’s so hard to experience sometimes. As you say, it’s sometimes a stumbling forward. I’m so glad He is always there to pick us up. May He help us to cling to Him and may He give us ever deeper healing! Hugs!
LikeLike
“The powerful love of Jesus will always be stronger than any shackle that binds us.” I’m so grateful that this is true! It takes the pressure off of ourselves. I love, love “Shackles” and have had it in my car for years. 🙂 Praising God for freedom to dance. Thanks for these encouraging words and music today, Trudy.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Lisa. I’m so glad you were encouraged. It’s great to “see” you again. 🙂 I’m grateful, too, that Jesus’ love is so powerful. I’m glad you love the song, too. May God keep removing our shackles with His powerful love and help us to dance in victory! Hugs!
LikeLike
“The powerful love of Jesus will always be stronger than any shackle that binds us.” Yes! Such powerful words of His promises to continue to tatoo on our hearts.
LikeLike
“To tattoo to our hearts.” Thank you for that thought, Lynn. We surely need that permanent reminder, don’t we? It’s so easy to forget how powerful His love is. May He sink the truth of His powerful love ever deeper into our hearts! Hugs!
LikeLike
Trudy, I’m so thankful you press through your pain and vulnerability to write and remind us of the all consuming power of the love of God as seen in Jesus Christ our Lord. I needed to read these words today. My heart leans so often toward the negative and shame can keep us in a sealed up corner. But I am still fighting to be free, steeling myself against sadness which has seeped in so pervasively in recent months, and leaning towards His love as I bathe my wounds in the rivers of His grace. Blessed as always to stop by and read your God-inspired words. Thank you! Blessings and hugs. 💟
LikeLike
I’m so grateful you are encouraged, Joy. It can be so hard to get out of a negative slump. I love what you say – “I bathe my wounds in the rivers of His grace.” So beautifully said. Only His love and grace can soothe our wounds. May we keep reminding each other to dip ourselves in the rivers of His healing grace! Hugs!
LikeLike
If God did not love us, He would not have done as much as He has done for us. This being so, He forgives time and again our doubts and fears.
God bless.
LikeLike
So true, Victor. He has done so much for us. It’s so amazing how He forgives again and again. May we cling to His amazing love and grace! God bless you, too!
LikeLike
Trudy Thanks so much for this beautiful reminder that His love is stronger- The things that hold my heart feel so strong sometimes – it is good for me to dwell on the fact that He is the one holding it and he is stronger! This week has been really hard for me in many ways 😦 and I feel very worn down- so and I needed to remember this (when I am weak he is strong! ) so thank you !!
LikeLike
I’m so glad it helped you to remember that when we are weak, He is strong. It’s sure hard to hold onto sometimes though, isn’t it? I’m so sorry you’re have a tough week, Susie. I just read what you commented at Valerie’s and I understand a virus has invaded your home and your little one has pneumonia. I was worried about you when there was no Wednesday post and felt the need to pray for you. May God send healing and special strength to you and your loved ones! Hugs!
LikeLike
Thanks so much Trudi for praying for me and our family! It is so kind of you! We are slowly recovering and digging out from it all! sending hugs back
LikeLike
👍🏼❤️💐
LikeLike
“Jesus has such inexpressible patience with us. His love is so unconditional, and His grace is so freely given.” Yes, thank you Jesus! Trudy, thank you so much for sharing your heart. I especially love how you wrote out His response to us using scripture. So powerful to personalize and apply. Thanks, friend! Blessings, Michelle
LikeLike
Hi Michelle. Yes! Thank You, Jesus! I’m glad you were encouraged. I’ve been thinking of and praying for Morgan. May God give you all strength for each day and a deep healing of all your wounds! Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person