what are you giving up for lent?

Hmm, at the last minute this post took a different turn than I expected.  But maybe this is what you need to read today.

Have you ever felt trapped by your sin, held hostage by something that you’d done.  I have.  I was certain that I was the only person in church who struggled, and knew for sure that if anyone found out, I’d be tossed out like last night’s table scraps.  That fear/shame/guilt is a deadly mixed drink, powerful in the hands of an enemy who wants to accuse and keep me from being fully alive and free.  It took me years before I experienced a breakthrough, but that day finally arrived when I talked to someone about my secret and dragged that sin out into the light.

Or maybe it’s not something that you’ve done; it was done to you.  You would never choose that abuse, that hurt, that act.  But you bear the scars and the fear/guilt/shame cocktail is a daily drink.  Every time you brush up against anything that smells like freedom or breakthrough that old accuser roars in like a lion looking for lunch.  The lies become a part of your daily soundtrack…

• No one is going to believe you.
• You get what you deserve in this life.
• You’re not worthy to be loved.
• You blew it.  Again.  Again.
• There’s no hope for you.
• God didn’t keep this from happening because he doesn’t love you.
• You’re used goods.  You’re broken.
• Try.Fail.Try.Fail.Try.Fail…why not admit defeat?  You can’t win.