Faith

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What’s in your luggage?
By Dan Langerock

Have you ever thought about the baggage you carry around from one year to the next through your whole life? Leftover emotions from relationships gone bad like unforgiveness, anger, bitterness and the like. Do you enjoy carrying these things around with you? I would think not, but that is for you to decide.

Anger

You know what started the fight that has gone on for years. Maybe now it is just silence that everyone seems to endure instead of verbal assaults. It could be with in-laws, an ex-wife, a coworker, or any number of people. Have you ever thought about what this emotion and others you carry around is doing to your heart, blood pressure, and a lot of other body functions?

Unforgiveness

You hurt so much at the time it happened, the hurt that came into your life. You still chafe when you think about the circumstances and what it has done to you and the ones you love. Don’t you wish there was someone who could take that burden from you?

Condemnation

This can come from ourselves, regrets from the past that we have never forgiven ourselves for. It can also come from others who say they love us but never let the pressure up about what has happened “before”. What a load to carry around. Whew!

Fear

We can believe someone is trying to hurt us or we can internalize what is happening in our world today and become fearful. There are many reasons to fear if we want to find them. Fear will keep you sleepless, gnaw at your every waking moment if you don’t get some relief. Is this the way you want to live your life from now on?

That luggage is getting pretty heavy now with these four emotions in it. Of course, not all of us carry the same ones, but perhaps something equivalent. Are you happy carrying these harmful emotions around with you 24 hours a day? Unless you give them to God to carry for you, this will be your destiny the rest of your life. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to start the year 2005 with a clean slate and no more baggage?

The gift is free from God, but you must accept it. The gift of a brand-new life! Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and heavy-laden with burdens, and I will give you rest.” Just tell God in your own words that you accept His gift to you and ask Him to cleanse you and give you a new life. He will, and you will be free of that heavy baggage you’ve been carrying around so long. How long has it been now that you’ve been carrying it? Doesn’t matter!

Whatever you’ve done in your life or however long you have carried your burden, it doesn’t matter to God. He wants you to have peace and I hope that you want it also. Then read your Bible, the handbook God has given to help us. Just as you would read the instruction manual of a new appliance when you buy it, how much more important it is to read how to maintain that peace God has given you.

Will you accept God’s peace and rest in your life? Happy New Year!

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