I have this verse in my old NIV Bible underlined in red with various dates around it. It reminds me that when I am in anguish and pain, I can cry out to God for relief and rescue, and He will answer me with a greater sense of freedom for my situation.

One of the things I love most about the Lord is that He is all about freedom. He sent His Son to die a gruesome death on the cross so that we could be free from every kind of sin, bondage, and evil addiction that would prevent us from living the abundant life that He came to give us. (John 10:10) What else does He free us from? Toxic relationships, sickness and disease, debt and lack, depression and anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, and so much more. Yes, the Lord is prepared to set us free in every area, but He requires our cooperation. That shouldn't worry us, though, because He will even give us the grace we need to cooperate with His custom-made rescue operation. Hebrews 4:16 (AMPC) says: "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]." Glory to God!

The Bible says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom]." (2 Corinthians 3:17 AMP) If you have received Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you have the potential to be free in every area of your life because the Holy Spirit dwells in you. Don't settle for anything less. If you are living in bondage to unforgiveness, bitterness, or strife, please know that this is not God's best for you. Negative emotions will erode your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. And they will hinder your prayers and your fellowship with the Lord. It's simply not worth it.

Today, start PRAYING about those things that are preventing you from living the abundant life that Jesus died to give you. And then start SAYING with confidence and conviction - "The Son of God has set me free and I am truly free!" (John 8:36 NLT)

Prayer: Lord, I desire to live in the freedom that You died for me to have. I humble myself before You, and I ask that You work in my spirit, soul, and body so that I can experience the freedom that is Your best for me. Help me to cooperate with You all the way, and to never resist what You want to do in me, through me, and for me. Thank You for the liberty, emancipation from bondage, and true freedom that are my inheritance in Christ!