Quote

He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.

- Aristotle

Real Life

As a teenager I was a keen hockey goalie. My eagerness to learn and self-discipline with training meant I had the potential to do well, however, throughout my teenage years I had a very low self-esteem.

While I was good at faking confidence, deep down I didn’t believe I had what it took to be valued. This was my undoing as a hockey player. No matter how hard I trained, often when I was under pressure in a game I would bottle it. The voice of self-doubt in my head would convince me I wasn’t good enough and then I would prove myself right.

Now, several decades on, God has taken me on a journey of healing and I am free from the internal condemnation I felt for so long. The difference it has made to my sporting experience is marked. Recently I ran my first half-marathon and as I lined up with the dozens of other competitors, many looking fitter, younger and with fancier running gear, there was not an ounce of fear or self-doubt, just an eagerness to push myself to do my best. There was no more faking confidence or trying to push down fears, just freedom to genuinely enjoy my sport.

What is going on in our heads can impact how we perform in every area of life. It doesn’t matter how hard we try, if the voice in our head is telling us we’ll never be any good, it can be hard to prove it wrong. God doesn’t want us to live under that negative monologue. He has declared that He didn’t come to bring condemnation and judgement, but rather freedom from all that is wounding us (John 3:17). If we allow God into those places of hurt, He can free us from all that is holding us back so we can truly know life to the full (John 10:10).

Bible Verse

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you

Romans 8:1-2

Prayer

Thank You Lord that You have no desire for us to live under fear or condemnation. Help me to know the truth that I am loved, accepted and valued by You and that nothing I can do or not do, will ever change that.

Author: Sarah Auld   |   Content Editor: Phil Pawley