One of the human conditions is worry. We worry and fear, and therefore, what happens is conflict. Conflict with the world around us and conflict within us. Have you noticed your spirit is truly not resting in peace and freedom?

Take a moment to notice the conversations you are part of. You can see the enemy has done a great job at creating anxiety through failed expectations and the feeling of not enough. We are constantly chasing a standard in everything we do, either by comparison or expectation, only to feel inadequate later. We are constantly victimized by our circumstances.

Whether it’s maintaining appearances, striving for flawless relationships, advancing in our careers, securing financial success, buying homes, planning the most impressive events, adorning ourselves with the finest things, chasing the dream of the best vacation, eating to your cravings or curating the best photos – we often find ourselves pursuing worldly standards in the hope of finding happiness which is fleeting in nature.

Even with all this, I see so many people waking up to a world an uncertain future, but with excess pleasures within our finger tips, and this is not random. Our spirit has a need to experience peace, freedom and joy, but the enemy is putting a deliberate distraction to pull you away from your calling, to dull your spirit, and to keep you from the purpose God has placed on your life.

You keep battling the weight of expectations, therefore chasing material gains to silence your anxious heart. When will we ever rest? When will we learn to get rid of all the burdens, live with ease and filled with hope?

We’re told to set firm boundaries, withdraw from what feels toxic, and focus on ourselves – treating our desires and self‑love as a way to escape.

With the world imposing on you, the heart and the enemy works together to resists that call to joy and peace, confuses our true needs and makes you settle with false identities, only to keep you in survival mode.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ( Jeremiah 17:9)

Do you know we are originally designed to live in the freedom and peace God purposed for us through our relationship with Him? I will explain why. Have you ever watched a young child become so absorbed in their work that everything else fades away? In that concentration, they exercise an essential need of their spirit – peace and freedom. This was observed by the renowned child educator Maria Montessori in her book The Child in the Family.

I could not help but discern the biblical truth embedded in her words. The joy of children carries a divine quality – I can’t help but wonder aren’t we getting a glimpse of God’s kingdom? God entrusts each child with strong spiritual tendencies, which the child exercises no matter what.

Unfortunately, as the child grows, his original nature becomes corrupted with fallen nature of the world, where sin distorts truth and deception is ever present, a reality most people can’t perceive.

That’s why

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

For us, the essence of his kingdom becomes visible in a meta-physical reality of us willingly choosing him, where we learn to excercise the needs of our spirit.

Just a like a child who is absorbed in an activity, when we take time to sit with God – through prayer, Scripture reading, and an intentional seeking of His presence – we enter a relationship with Him where our spirit begins to experience the peace and freedom. The Holy spirit renews our mind to seek the perfect will of God.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.
(Romans 12:2)

You can tell Jesus, please carry this pain for me, please carry the burden of this expectation. Lord, please carry this ego for me. Lord carry my guilt. Lord I am afraid, but please take the fear from me. Please know Jesus has bought you for freedom, and when you boldly proclaim that freedom, you experience the renewal of mind, and feel the truth in them, you never want to let go. You will begin to experience “peace that flows like a river to you”. You will begin to experience the “joy” of your soul.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

Life happens, problems arise, but you will learn to seek God who provides all that you need to sustain. You will begin trust God with shaping your life and gain His provisions.

 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

Its not very complicated nor intellectual, nor legalistic. Yes, not legalistic.

When you choose your identity and boldness in Jesus, the way, the truth and life, He will begin to set you free from all that “burdens” you. He is called the ‘Prince of peace’ for a reason. Therefore, don’t harden your hearts, take a moment of trust and call out to him. Be truthful to him. Even if you don’t understand him, just be truthful in humility. God seeks a heart that seeks to understand Him.

As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion (Hebrews 3:15)

He helps us to let go of all that holds us back and gives true freedom in him. A freedom only when you experience, you understand the enemy was playing you all this while.

 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Invite the Holy spirit in your lives. Commit your ways to Him. As you keep commit to God in prayer and reading the scripture consistently, the voice of the Holy Spirit overpowers the noises of the world.

Stepping into this New Year, I encourage you to read the Bible with a humble and willing heart and experience the love of God.