Most children have an object that brings them comfort and a
feeling of safety. Some have a favorite blanket or stuffed animal and babies
may get that feeling from a pacifier. As adults we all have a Binky that brings
us a sense of comfort and safety whether it is food, a relationship, a
behavior, a habit or something of a material form.
As a human being I have always had the kind of personality that
desires to get better and as a Christian I take that root behavior and I’m
constantly putting myself out there to God to heal areas of my life. Yet, I
have some rooted Binkies in my life that I just will not let go of. They seem
to be habits that I secretly tell myself, “This is MINE and I have All the
CONTROL of this and NO ONE can take this from me!” “You people can
misunderstand me, try to control me, take all you want from me through your
life of no boundaries BUT you can’t take this!”
Although I know these habits and behaviors are bad for me
and are not what God desires for me, I still won’t release them. It’s as if I’m
even shaking my fist at God, that unless He changes the things in my life,
whether it is health problems or relational issues, I will not surrender these
coveted things. There’s a deep feeling of injustice in my heart that says, “This
isn’t fair and until you change I will not surrender!” We hurt ourselves
thinking that we are hurting those who are hurting us!
I’m finding that as I trust God more and really understand
His deep love for me, I desire to begin the process of releasing these things
more and more. Notice I said desiring and not that I’m actually letting go of
them. It’s hard and scary and my grip is so tight because I believe deep down
that if I surrender these idols that it won’t turn out fair. What is this deep
rebellion that desires fairness in life so much? I believe we all have our pile
of injustices that we stand upon and as long as we proclaim them, then we have
an excuse for all our unattractive behaviors. We say things like, “I deserve to
be angry!”, “I have a right to condemn you and blame you!”, “Look at this pile!
That’s why I am the way I am!”
Entitlement. Who are we to claim we are entitled to
anything! Christ was entitled to live joyfully in the Kingdom of Heaven with
His Father for eternity because He is God. But He surrendered that privilege to
be sent to this earth per His Father’s will and gave His life for us! We don’t
deserve anything but we are blessed by God with goodness simply because of His
Son’s sacrifice. If the Son of God could surrender His life then why can’t I
surrender my Binkies! It’s simple…it’s only THROUGH Christ that my desires can
change. I am not equipped in any way, shape or form to be Christ-like. It’s
only through His Holy Spirit and a willing heart that I can change.
Why then is my heart so stubborn and afraid to relinquish my
Binkies? God can change my longings but here I lay in my corner clinging to my
insecurities and clutching my fears. Paul said it perfectly in the book of
Romans 7:14-25, and chapter 8, (paraphrased), “We do what we do because of our
sinful nature and it seems too powerful to overcome BUT now there is no
condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus, for the power of His life
giving Spirit has freed us! If we allow God’s Holy Spirit to control us then we
have freedom and peace but if we allow our sinful nature to control us then we
are doomed.” Please read all of these verses in your bible for the full impact
and truth, for apart from Him we can do nothing!
We have a clear choice in our behavior and through Christ we
can have victory in all aspects of our life. The only way to break the hold of
our sinful nature is to saturate ourselves in the presence of God. That seems
so daunting when we just think about it because we have all experienced the
high of being in His presence whether at church, during worship, when engaged
in fellowship or prayer but when we are in the mix of everyday life it seems we
falter. The enemy tells us that we are doomed to fail and that sooner or later
God will not pull through for us. He tells us that if we choose humility, we
are only setting ourselves up for a kick in the teeth. If we choose sacrifice,
we will eventually give up and fail. If we choose a positive outlook, it will only be a
matter of time before we go negative again! The enemy convinces us that we have
a default and we are destined to revert to it no matter what!
I have been through so many barricades and over so many
hurtles with the Lord and I found victory through Him in all of them. Why
then do I fight the notion that I can have freedom from my straggling Binkies
that I cling to! Well, at least I’m talking about them and considering the
surrender of them. That is a good start and I’m excited that I have even put
them on the plate of consideration before my Lord. I want freedom from them and
I KNOW He can set me free…it’s my own fears and doubts that are keeping me
sitting in my cell even though the door
is open.
Lord, take me even deeper into Your pool of love. Wash me,
cleanse me and wrap me in Your robe of righteousness. Let me see even more
clearly my station as a Daughter of the King and teach me to walk in the
posture of Divine Royalty as Your child. Let my heart grow and dwell with You
and change my sinful desires to Holy ones. Brand me with the truth that I am
set apart from this world and its desires. Renew me and make me what You
desire. Fulfill Your plans for my life and crush my fears under Your truth and
love. I am unable to change but I know that all You want is a willing heart…Lord,
It scares me to say this but I’m going to say it, “T Ta Tak Take my Binkies.” I
feel guilty saying it because I don’t want to lay them down. That’s alright
though, because I’m asking You now to start changing my desires. Begin a work
in me that will lead to me surrendering these things. If I wait and keep hiding
with my false idols of safety and comfort then I will never let go. I’m asking
You now to begin this process. I trust you. Amen
Whatever it is that is your Binky…Are you co-dependent? (Really think about that one.) Do
you stuff yourself with emotional eating? Do you lie or exaggerate or use negativity to get
attention? Are you hiding something? Do you use manipulation to try to get love? Are you passive aggressive and think that's more godly than being aggressive? Are you self-deprecating so you can hurt yourself before someone else hurts
you? Do you do something that is bad for your body? Do you persist in staying busy? Is busyness your Binkie? Is blaming others rather than seeking self-improvement where you hide? If you can't define your Binkie or you think you don't have one then sit in the presence of the Holy Spirit quietly and He will show you yours.What are the things that
you cling to? Are you willing to admit you need to let go? I understand and so
did the Apostle Paul and so do millions of other people. God can and will heal
us…if we will just be willing. Even just willing to admit is a good start.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Don’t you realize that your body is
the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?
You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price (His Sons
life). So you must honor God with your body.
Isaiah 40:31, But those who trust in the Lord will find new
strength. They will soar high on eagle’s wings; they will run and not grow
weary. They will walk and not faint.
2 Samuel 22:31, God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s
promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him…
Romans 8:17, And since we are His children, we will share
His treasures – for everything God gives to His Son, Christ, is ours, too. But
if we are to share in His glory, we must also share in His sufferings.
Not everything in life feels good or will work out the way
we want it to. Great accomplishments come through great sacrifices and in order
for us to sacrifice (because it is not in our human nature to desire
restraint or pain) we MUST draw our strength, courage and good desires from
God. He alone is able.
If we must, brothers and sisters, take baby-steps...Do whatever it takes to get to victory! Doing something is better than doing nothing. Starting is 90% of the task. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Inch by inch anythings a cinch! We can do all things through Christ who loves us! Take a step toward freedom.
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