Break Every Chain!, June 3
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Karen Wonders
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains” (Psalm 107:13-14 NIV).
I first met Kris when she attended a Bible study I hosted at Maple Tree Cancer Alliance. She was in the middle of treatment for breast cancer and had all but given up on life. She told me that she did not know the Lord, but admitted she was searching for a reason for what she was going through. Kris was single and did not have a good support system because she had isolated herself from her family and friends. Treatments were hard. She found it difficult to work. She confessed that she had been drinking and eating excessively to numb the pain.
Kris was in darkness. “In utter darkness,” as the psalmist would say. She was a prisoner suffering in iron chains (see Psalm 107:10). Although her chains were invisible, they were there. And they were heavy. Chains of addiction, depression, despair, fear, and bitterness were holding her down. They were preventing her from living the abundant life God planned for her.
Kris is not alone. Sometimes it may be hard to recognize, but we all have chains that hold us down. Maybe your chains are different than Kris’ chains. Maybe your chain is fear. Maybe your chain is debt. Maybe your chain is impatience.
Whatever the chain that holds you back, will you trust in Jesus to break it for you? If you simply cry out to Him, He will help you! There is power in the name of Jesus! God has already set us free from the law of sin and death. He did this by sending His Son. Because of the cross, sin is defeated! Your chains don’t have the power to hold you prisoner, because the chains have already been broken! The power to break free from these chains is available to you right now! Simply pray for the power to live according to the Spirit and to set your mind on the things the Spirit desires. The psalmist taught this principle when he said, "How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night" (Psalm 1:1–2 HCSB). Meditation on the will of God brings delight to both the person and to God. Let’s run—not walk—a good race for Christ!
Pray: Heavenly Father, I come before You to repent of the sin in my life. I ask for Your forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Your Son. I pray You will break every chain that has tried to destroy my life. I am not cursed. I am blessed! I am saved. I am free. I pray for the power to set my mind on the things of the Spirit and to rise above my circumstances. I pray for the power to live a life that is abundant and pleasing to You! I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Your Turn: You are not cursed! You are blessed! Where are you not living an abundant life because you are believing a lie? Take it to Jesus and trust Him to help you walk in His truth. Be encouraged as you listen to Jesus Culture sing "Break Every Chain."
Karen Y. Wonders, PhD, FACSM, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and Professor/Program Director of Exercise Physiology at Wright State University. Her passion is to advocate for exercise as part of the national standard of care for cancer. Her non-profit organization provides free exercise training to thousands of cancer survivors every month (www.mapletreecanceralliance.org). Dr. Wonders and her husband have 7 children—aged 16 and younger. If you think her hands are full, you should see her heart!
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