Feeling Free

2021 has been a crazy year for all of us, I think Christmas time always brings up thoughts and feelings from our past. Whether that's losing a loved one, a break up, family hardships, a crush you had in the past, lost friendships or all of the above. Something I've learned is that letting go of people is better than holding on to that hurt you feel inside. Whether you haven't forgiven that person or you just haven't forgiven yourself, it's an anchor that you are holding on to.

I am the worst for holding on. I have a serious problem of caring too much. I know, you are probably rolling your eyes and thinking I'm one of those people that say this in a job interview, just to look good when the employer asks about my faults (If you are wondering, I'm not). In some cases it can do more harm than good to deeply care about someone. You just feel like you are sinking, drowning in your own emotions. Constantly thinking about your life circumstances at that one moment, going through all the 'what if's' and what could happen. Losing yourself in your own mind.

People who know me well, know that I think far too much. Those 'what if's' can control my mind and I can be lost deep in thought and creating up my own scenarios in my head.

"What If I held on longer?"

"What if I had made more of an effort, would the outcome have been different?"

I am here to tell you that dwelling on such thoughts will honestly get you no where. No progression will be made to your mental or spiritual growth if you hang on to these thoughts.

There is a way to be free!

You can be freed from these thoughts, there is a way out. You can find it in Psalm 40 v 1-3 (I encourage you to read the whole Psalm for yourself).

"v1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. v2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings (steps). v3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise onto our God..." Psalm 40:1-3

We can transition from focusing on our own problems to singing praises onto God. The psalmist David had gone through many ups and downs in his own life, which shows how God was so gracious towards him. Remember that God wants to hear about your worries, He cares about the things that you think about, He is the best one to turn to. I told the Lord about all my 'what if's' and all the things that I wish I could have changed, but He turned round and reminded me that I am not the one in charge. He a plan for my life, it's up to me to follow Him where he leads me. Through everything I have learnt one or more lessons and each bringing me closer to Him.

Life can really get a hold of us. Trust me, I know that life can be really hard sometimes. Having a bundle of trouble is just a part of life. Unfortunately we still live in a sinful world and from time to time everything just isn't rosey. I was talking to a friend quite recently and we were just discussing about how hard this past 2 years has been on everyone. She said that we all focus on our own hardships and sufferings that we often forget that we are not the only ones having hard times. We do not know what the person next to us in Tesco or Asda (depending on where you do your groceries) is going through. We make ourselves the centre of our own universes.

Now your mind is blown, right? Mine was too. However, my friend was totally right! We focus so much on our own problems, that we forget about everyone else's.

Some of you might not have any troubles or worries in your life right now and that is great!! Enjoy that mountain top, praise God for your joy every morning! Just remember to pray for your loved ones, friend, or neighbour who is maybe going through a lot in this season of their life. For those of us who are still struggling with somethings, it's important for us to still praise the Lord for everything He has done. It is sometimes hard to see the blessings God has given us when we are in a difficult spot, but the more you see the blessings the lighter your burden feels.

I have a real desire to fix people who I really care about deeply. Some have hurt me in the past, others have helped me through my own hurt. Now I just want to help those who are hurting or struggling in some way. I want to take their pain away, but knowing that I can't fix people, that has been hard to comprehend. I can listen to people, talk about what is troubling them and I can relate to them, share stories of my past, tell them how I got over certain situations, but that doesn't fix them. It might help them in some way. (I am not telling you this for my own selfish gain, I am not seeking glory. I know that I am not the only one who has the same mindset). However the best thing I can do is pray for those people who God has placed upon my heart, because the one who can lift them out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set their feet upon a rock, is the Lord.

My prayer for 2022 is that you are set free from your burden, leaving it at the Lord's feet, letting go of those 'what if's' that haunt your mind and fill your heart mind and soul with songs of praise and thanksgiving to the one who saved you and who keeps you. Once you let the Lord take your burden, you will feel so free that all you will want to do is sing praises and dance around your kitchen. Trust me, it is so freeing when you let the Lord have His way in your life everyday. I pray that you will feel that freedom this year, in 2022.

All my Love,

Winnie xo

A song I have come to know and love is called your Burden Is Mine. If you are struggling with something, I would encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to it.

"Careful my brother there on your own

For it is a fool who suffers alone

There is none self sufficient, only those who try

So swallow your pride, your burden is mine"

(Your Burden Is Mine, by Sarah Sparks)