By: Jessica Bustos

When a circus elephant is small they have huge heavy chains around their front leg to keep them from trying to escape. As they continue to grow the heavy chain becomes a small rope. They are conditioned to believe that they can not break away. They believe that a small rope can still hold them so that they will never break free.

In life, we carry burdens from our past, and the world tries to condition us to think that we cannot break free from it. We hold on to words spoken over us, situations we have gone through, and things we have seen. We are taught that our past makes us stronger, and the more we carry the stronger we will become. We are not strong enough to carry such heavy things on our own, to move forward in fear, anxiety, depression, and sadness. God’s word says, “Cast your burden on the Lord (release it) and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).” Psalm 55:22

We are not like the elephants, God wants us to lay everything down at His feet. Not to be tied down to past events. He wants us to live and walk in strength, peace, and love. Break free from the chains that keep you from moving forward! Our Father knows your heart, but He wants you to share it with Him. Lay your burdens down and release it so the chains that hold you back will break so you can run free and explore what God has in store for you!

Lean in:

“God, we ask that you break the chains of anxiety, depression, sadness, and guilt. That you restore me with your love, peace, mercy, and grace. I lay everything down at your feet all my struggles and ask that you meet me where I am, so that I can be more of whom you have designed me to be.”

Amen.