Devotional: Free From Judgment

I will never leave you nor forsake you – Hebrews 13:5

Critical thoughts absorbed my mind. With knives they cut at my heart. I judged myself, I judged others. I scanned the environment to see what could be corrected. I latched onto false power, I relied on personal goodness and control to fix the wrongs around me. If I could be the best, if I could try the hardest, I could be a hero. But I became my own foe – carrying a burden I could not manage. I made myself my own Redeemer – believing my perfection, my performance could somehow bring transformation. But I could never keep up, I could never make change happen.

My harshness was my fear. My tone reflected a heart that was filled with knowledge but empty of love. I feared myself. I feared condemnation. I feared the imperfect. My efforts were futile because I did not partner with kindness or gentleness or love. I partnered with shame. It drove me to oppression – it crushed me with its weight. It gave me more than I could bear. Until I couldn’t’ try anymore.

Fear birthed my religion. It relied on my control. But Jesus was my Rescuer. He rescued me from the enemy, He removed my blindness. He picked me up out of dark and raging waters. He delighted in me because He loves me. He filled with me grace, He gave me Dumanis Power – the resurrected power of the Living Jesus.

I cannot right my wrongs. I cannot fix my pain. I cannot hide the broken parts that have left me empty handed. But I can let go. When I released my judgments and corrections to Jesus, He made things right. When I repented of my control, He took control.

Meditation Point: Moving Towards Hope:

I can live in freedom through surrender. I can let go of expectations of myself and of others. I can cease judgment and rely on Gods’ perfection. I can live without the burdens of making others change. Fear wrapped its deceit around my mind, but Jesus wrapped His arms around my heart. And He won me over.

When I struggle with critical thoughts: 

Father God,
I criticize and control when in reality I want peace and surrender. I don’t want the weight of my judgement. I don’t want the responsibility to rescue. Help me find surrender. Help seize my fear of what the imperfect contains.
. In Jesus name – Amen