Seperation Anxiety

The love God has for us is comparable to nothing else. Man can only imagine the extent of the Lord's love, for we are truly incapable of grasping the magnitude of something so pure and selfless. Still, what little we can comprehend has the power to transform us from back biting broken vessels to edifying servants.

Oswald's devotional centers on the Apostle Paul's proclamation of security in Christ; "nothing can come between the love of God and a saint." Paul explains the believer's situation this way;

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Romans 8:38-39NIV).

This promise is ours to hold and cherish. No matter how much we marvel at the wonder of such a blessing, we can know, that we know the truth...even though we can't fully understand it. We are safe in the love of Christ: eternally saved and sealed.

This concept is difficult to grasp for the multitude, however for those who have been separated from the love of a parent: whether by death, abandonment or neglect, it can feel nearly impossible. Hearts that have been torn by unloving parental hands, struggle to comprehend unconditional love from anyone, let alone God. These broken spirits suffer greatly in relationships, because they have bought into the lies of the enemy about their worth as a person.

Attempts to wrap my head around the unconditional love of God, have been agonizing for me over the years. Like millions of others, I was cast aside by parents who did not know the love and forgiveness of God. Therefore, my parents were insecure and fearful of rejection and abandonment. Unfortunately, this caused them to withhold love and security from each other and their children. I and my three sisters as a result now struggle with similar fears and insecurities.

The devil's cycle of destruction tragically continues through the generations, until Jesus is allowed to bring His love into the family unit. Only after the love and forgiveness of Christ is truly realized and embraced, can transformation of old patterns of thought and strongholds be broken.

While my heart and mind have been programmed to believe I am unlovable and unworthy of love and affection, the Lord has been tenderly reprogramming my system. I no longer believe these lies of the enemy. Yet, on occasion old patterns of thought pop into my mind and I must diffuse them promptly. What took...far too long to mention in the past to overcome, is reduced to almost no time at all. Today the pain of rejection or being treated unkindly does not automatically send me into an angry defense as it has most my life. My wounds have been healed. Praise the LORD! However, it did not come naturally or with ease. The enemy fought hard to keep me from accepting God's love.

Still, there are those who Satan uses to pick at old scars. Like the "friend" who seems more interested in competing with you than being your friend. They do this perhaps through children, appearance, material possessions, vacations, jobs, and so forth. However, their attempts to one up or put down only emphasize their own doubt of their worth. Or perhaps its someone who claims to love you and then like Judas undermines your ministry, critiques your appearance or work and resists at all costs encouraging you. They too are bound by poisonous thought patterns. The devil would love for us to experience these individuals and go away broken or seething mad.

However, when we know our value is not tethered to the opinion of others we can live freely outside the pit of jealousy,insecurity and anger. But those who have been freed, must remember their own days in the mire and feverishly pray for the deliverance of those still wallowing in doubt.

The Lord has healed my heart and while it still stings at times when others act unloving, my thoughts now are inclined to consider what their wounds and issues are which prompt them to lash out at others. Healing has drastically changed my perspective of who I am. Time I used to spend trying to validate my feelings or worth is now spent growing in God's grace.

Accepting the love and forgiveness of Jesus has enabled me to love and forgive others. For we simply cannot give what we do not possess.

Learning to accept the love of God is a process, but it can be done. The Apostle Paul could have climbed into a pit of despair, when the LORD revealed his persecution of God's children. However, Paul chose the grace and mercy of God over pride. Paul not only demonstrates his own acceptance of God's love and forgiveness, he boasts about the joy that comes from embracing it.

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him , graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" (Romans 8:31-35NIV).

This great joy is only possible when we are living out of the pit of self loathing, or justification. When we are seeking to prove our value to others, everything will be measured or weighed moment by moment. People will never be able to make you feel valued in your soul. God purposely designed us with a God shaped hole that He alone can fill. Jesus desires to fill it with His love.

When we allow Jesus to make us whole, we will find a joy as incomprehensible as God's unconditional love. Then like Paul, unable to contain our joy, we will boast about the never ending love of the Father. And nothing...absolutely nothing anyone says, thinks or does will drag you back into the pit.

You will be free! Free to love and be loved, in the name of Jesus.