Breaking the Chains that Bind

By Amanda Becker


My mom and I have a great relationship. She’s always been a pillar in my life, and still is.

However, I’m finding now that I have my own child, our parenting styles often differ greatly (I’m sure you can relate). Most of those differences are trivial but I find that sometimes I want to do things my own way but I don’t always know how.

When I reminisce about my own childhood, many of my less-than-perfect memories seem so silly in comparison to my friends’ who have lived through childhoods that were excruciatingly painful, emotionally crippling and full of events they wish they could forget.


I was recently reading in 1 Corinthians, and this verse really stuck in my mind: 1 Corinthians 5:7 says, “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch-- as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (NIV)


This verse is saying that because of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, we are made new.-- no longer contaminated by the “yeast” of our parent’s sins or way of life, or even our former life.

 

This concept is so important when it comes to raising our children. So many of us grew up in less-than-perfect homes. We came from parents who were over-protective, unreliable or even addicts. We suffered abuse, or were abandoned, or told we weren’t good enough. All these things have left us wondering if we’re capable of raising our children any differently.


Friend, this is a lie from the enemy.

It doesn’t matter where you’ve come from, He has broken every chain.


As set-free children of God, we’re not bound to our past generations. It doesn’t matter what our moms, dads, grandfathers, grandmothers, sisters or brothers did. God has made us new.


Right where you are, in all of your inadequacy and unsuredness, you can take the first step in the newness of His grace by believing this truth. Dig into the Word, filling your mind with truth, so that you may begin to recognize the lies from the enemy for what they are-- lies! Then, when you’re unsure of how to respond to different situations, ask God to reveal His way to you.


If you’re feeling doubtful, let me testify that each and every time I’ve prayed and searched His scriptures for wisdom, He’s given it. He has always placed the right people in my life at the perfect time.


Remember, friend, that we serve a God who takes pleasure in taking the least qualified and making them the most qualified! We’ve been set free. Today, let’s shake off that less-than-desirable past and allow Him to make us new parents, in Christ.
 

Word of the day:
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)


Prayer:
Lord, thank you for making us new. Thank you for breaking generational chains. We’re not bound to the past anymore! I ask that you would give us the wisdom and strength to be the moms you’ve called us to be. Help us to trust that you are growing us and guiding us to parent in a God-honoring way. Amen.

 

 

 

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