“Change is the essence of life.  Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”  – Unknown

The Paradigm shift.  A change.   A change in the way of thinking.  A change in the way of living.  The shift in my spirit tells me that I am no longer living in guilt and I no longer have to pretend to be something I’m not.

Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven. – Isaiah 6:7

The walls of protection have come down.  My God-like masks of self-sufficiency, independence, and perfection have been removed.  The puppet once controlled by the strings of fear, guilt, shame, and co-dependency is now free to dangle from the strings of love, protection, and my Christ centered identity.

I started keeping a freedom journal as I am still in disbelief myself.

9.21.11 – I spent too much money at dinner last night and my checking account is suffering, but it will be fine.  – So freeing not to beat myself up over silly things like this.

9.23.11 – Last night I told an embarrassing story to my girlfriends and wasn’t afraid of the negative reactions that I got.  – How freeing not to be consumed by others’ reactions to me!

Everyday I am going to capture these thoughts to remind me where I’ve come from and where I’m going.

“If you want to embrace the reality of who God is and who God has made you to be, you first have to release the life of who you always thought you were.” – Emily Freeman – Grace for the Good Girl

It is so easy to hide behind the masks we have created for ourselves – masks of responsibility, good performance, and strength; masks of feeling indifferent and taking the “I’m fine” approach to life.  They are comfortable, familiar, and keep us feeling safe.

While the masks gives us a sense of protection, they keep us from living in freedom.

Maybe you don’t relate to the masks I once wore, but you have some of your own.  And at some point, they all have to be removed to ever walk in freedom.