August 07th, 2014

We all carry baggage. It is brought with us in every conversation, interaction with a person and in how we act in our daily life. Who we are is a sum total of where we have been, what we have done and what has been done in our lives; good and bad.

My baggage is over-stuffed. For instance, I have a tendency to confuse love and need. This is a characteristic many people have and I look back and think my father possessed the same. My dad was an amazing man who was one of the most selfless men I ever have seen. He over-gave but also had such a positive spirit and was just a loving guy. I like to think I picked up that positive aspect. Where am I going with all of this? 

Well, here it is….

We all have these things we bring to the table. We have the opportunity to see something and make it a good thing or a bad thing. It is the choice. Barring chemical psychiatric and physiological issues that can effect moods and decision making, we have the choice to look at things in a positive rather than a negative way. BUT, sometimes that “baggage” renders a knee jerk REACTION. Hence, creating some pretty stinky situations; or walking around in constant angst, anxiety or doom. Perhaps our “baggage” leads to an addiction? Over-eating? Bad relationships? The list goes on and on?

So what do we do???? How do we hold on to hope in the midst of life while carrying all of this baggage? Unpack it! Let it go! Each day take one more, old, heavy, undesirable, thing out of that bag and place it into JESUS hands.

Let GOD come in……. walk in the light obviously means not walking in the dark but I also like to say walk in the “lite” as not weighed down. GIVE GOD your baggage. There is nothing that GOD cannot fix, remove, and make better.

Is temptation in your baggage? PRAY “And lead us not into temptation" (Mathew 6:13) – when that pill, cigarette, drink, sex, gambling, food – whatever it is, repeat Mathew 6:13 until you feel it no more. I promise that GOD WILL take it from you.

The bible is full of ways to lighten your baggage. What are you carrying?

PRAYER: DEAR GOD, Please FATHER be with this reader in any struggle that is creating baggage. FATHER release them so that they can see the light and be lighter. I pray that the reader and I seek you first in all things! In JESUS name, AMEN. And thank you JESUS for giving me what I do not deserve.

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