Remove the Inflicted Chains

The beauty about being you is that you can be whoever you want.  There is a sense of freedom in that.  The sad part is too many people take this brilliant opportunity to duplicate others, rather than embracing themselves.  The effect of past hurts is ever present on them, claiming duplication is the only way to find security in themselves.  In reality, it is an excuse to not take responsibility for who they are.  If you can blame others for the person you are today, it allows you to be free to make mistakes without fault.  The sad part is, mistakes are a part of life.  There is no need to have an "excuse" for mistakes or failures because failures are proof that you are trying.  When you take responsibility for who you are, no excuse or explanation is necessary.  There is a sense of pride when who you are has taken work and has been established there by none other than yourself.  And when the failing has not undermined your determination, there is pride when you accomplish something amazing.  The more you accomplish by your (and of course God's) capability, the more you will develop a complete and utter belief in yourself.

Unfortunately, victims are found more often than conquerers.  The funny part is that at one time or another everyone was a victim.  You are a product of your decisions, not a product of your circumstances.  This may be a touchy subject because I am not really one to talk.  I have had a relatively easy life, some might say an entitled life.  I had parents that believed in me fully and very little complaints growing up.  The fact that I am an American citizen alone sets me to a whole new level of privilege than most.  I was recently told a story by a U.S. citizen who was taken to the border between two countries, one communist, one free.  He was a young boy at the time.  His father wanted him to appreciate the freedom he took for granted.  They stood there as a beat-up pickup truck rode up to the gate.  The guards looked through the truck and inexplicably asked to pop the hood.  Under it, a man sat in the place of a radiator hoping and praying to not be discovered.  The guard pulled a 9mm pistol out of its holster and to the horror of the spectators, shot the man on the spot.  The escapee was searching for freedom.  Dreaming of a life beyond his captivity.  This man died dreaming and wishing for something I was born into.  No, I do not pretend to have a tough life.  But I believe life can be overcome regardless of your circumstances.  Some have greater mountains to climb, but that doesn't mean they weren't given a vision and purpose in life.  It seems those people who have to fight a little harder for life understand that life comes at a cost.  Life isn't worth wasting because it is a gift.  Maybe if we were a little less privileged we wouldn't squander such a precious commodity.

I am sorry if this seems negative.  But I firmly believe that people have gotten too comfortable with life equating to nothing.  Me included.  For how far ahead I have started, it is a shame I have not achieved more.  But this has been my doing that I am not further in life.  I take responsibility for that.  It is this understanding that drives me to do better.  I forgive myself for this and use it to propel me forward.  And that is one of my goals.  Forgiveness of my mistakes, even when it is hard.

One of the most impacting things I have ever learned from a sermon is that we will forever continue to go through the same trial until we learn what we need to learn from it.  This is the reason I strive to learn from every mistake I have made so I don't have to repeat it.  But along the way mistakes require forgiveness.  Forgiveness is essential if I expect to achieve all that I was designed for.  And so that is the path that I choose.  To not dwell on the decisions and mistakes in life that could bring me down or hold me back from achieving more.  I owe it to the people dying for what I have been freely granted.  Believe in yourself, forgive yourself, and be thankful.  Because someone is praying for something you are taking for granted.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." -James 1:17