Walk in freedom

Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  2 Kings 6:17

When someone you love is struggling with sin or they are making choices you know won’t be good for them or others, it can really hurt. You grieve with the thought of them destroying their life because you love them so. 

So, you may try to step in. You speak truth to them. You try to stop them from doing what you know won’t go well for them. It’s good to gently point out someone’s sin to them in hopes of restoration (Galatians 6:1). But if they are unwilling to listen to what you, or others, have to say, it’s time to let go and give them to God. 

The Lord has recently reminded me that as much as I want to keep a loved one from the pain that will come from their sinful choices, it’s not my job. They are firmly in His hand. When a heart is hardened, and when eyes are blind, softness can only come through trouble and restored sight can only come through crushing.

For most of us, when we are caught in the snare of deception, a breakthrough only comes through a breaking.

“For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as a child” (Hebrews 12:6).

When I look back on my own journey, I am so grateful for the LORD’s discipline. Because He allowed me to feel the pain of my choices and sin, I am now on a straight path and will never go back to where I was before. No one could have lived my life for me back then or fixed my direction with a word. I had to learn difficult lessons that came from my sin on my own.

It’s so tough to see others walking into a situation that you know will burn them and hurt others. Today I am reminded I can’t fix anyone or their life, but I can pray, pray, pray.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).

I know it’s the Lord’s will that my loved one walk in freedom, so I can pray. I know it’s the Lord’s desire that they personally know Him, so I can pray. I know it’s His best for them that they be loosened from the snare of sin, so I can pray. And I know He loves them more than I do, so I can pray. I may not be able to change their heart, but I can pray that they come full circle to Christ, experience a humbling through their circumstances, and find Him once more. 

Be encouraged today. Those you love are held in His loving, mighty hand. 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).