She held the blade close to her wrist, hovering between a decision to cut deeper or skim the surface. Would it wipe away the hurt if she bled more? Would she ever feel worthy to be loved again after what he did?

Her shaky fingers pressed the tip into her skin and sliced. She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes.

The fight has already been won, child. Shake off those heavy chains and be set free.

Words from a song filled her mind and reminded her of her pastor’s recent sermon. Could it be that easy?

All her life everyone told her she would never amount to anything. Images of the one who stole her innocence played in her mind like a never-ending horror movie.

No, it can’t be that easy. She sliced again.

Stop fighting the fight. It’s already been won.

Tears rolled down her cheeks and plopped into the sink, blending with her blood. The red mixture swirled into the drain and disappeared. Could her sin do the same?

She threw the blade and grabbed a cloth, pressing down on her wound. She needed to talk to the youth pastor and find out more.

It was time to break free of her chains.

Have you ever felt weighed down with shackles of hurt that you just couldn’t shake off? Pain so deep you want to crawl in a hole and stay there?

You’re not alone.

We all struggle with feelings of unworthiness. Our self-esteem has plummeted to the depths of despair for many different reasons. Divorce, child abuse, job loss, death, financial burdens, health issues, etc.

We are haunted by ghosts, threatening to steal our happiness. They will hold us back from fulfilling what God has in store. We forget He has paid the price. We don’t have to fight the fight.

He has already won.

A friend sent this song to me. The words grab you instantly. When I asked her what she loved about it, she told me that even though she was rejected by her husband, she knew she “is perfect in God’s eyes and redeemed. We have to get to the point where we live for God and only God—not the acceptance of man.”

Amen!

We need to wipe away the stains, shake off the chains, and stop trying to fight God’s battles. Leave that to Him. (Click to tweet)

We are redeemed!

Were you released from shackles? Share with us. We’d love to hear your story. It would be an encouragement to others.

Lamentations 3:58 (NIV)

You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life.

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave (words and music by Benji Cowart and Mike Weaver)