I wish I could say I’m writing this post from a place of perfect clarity, of living fully in the light of Christ’s freedom, unburdened and untethered. But I’m not. I’m writing this in the middle of a refining fire, with deep, burdensome soul fatigue. From a place where I’m still shackled by invisible chains; some old, some new, all of them heavy.
This season was supposed to be light. A time to breathe again. To reset. To remember what it means to live freely, to feel joy without guilt or pressure. But instead, I’ve been confronted with all the ways I still live like a prisoner; a prisoner of expectations, of fear, and of wounds that haven’t quite healed.
And yet, I’m being reminded over and over that spiritual freedom isn’t a feeling. It’s a fact. A truth that stands even when I don’t feel free at all.
Why Don’t I Feel Free?
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
This verses echoes through the recesses of an empty, darkened mind like a bell tolling in wee hours of the morning. I know I’ve been set free. Scripture says so. But it’s one thing to know it, and another to live it. Why do we still carry burdens Christ died to release us from? Because of fear? Fear of what happens when we truly let go? Maybe we’ve gotten so used to living in survival mode that freedom feels foreign, or even wrong. Or maybe we don’t trust ourselves with it. Maybe we don’t trust God.
And yet, the call is clear. He didn’t set us free so we could go back to bondage. He didn’t endure the cross just so we could keep trudging through life like nothing changed. He calls us to live in spiritual freedom, even when our circumstances don’t feel like freedom at all.
What Does Spiritual Freedom Look Like?
Spiritual freedom doesn’t necessarily mean a life without struggle. It doesn’t mean you never wrestle with doubt or depression or old mindsets. Freedom in Christ isn’t an escape from what’s real; it’s a transformation. It’s an invitation to live unchained in a world that loves its cages.
To me, spiritual freedom this summer looks like:
- Resting without guilt. Not because everything is done, but because Christ is enough.
- Speaking the truth, even when it makes people uncomfortable. Boy, that’s a tough one for me.
- Letting go of outcomes, because I trust the One who holds tomorrow. I have a plaque on my desk (where I write my novels) that says “I trust the next chapter because I know the author.” I could stand to remember that sometimes.
- Saying no to what drains me, even when it disappoints someone else.
- Forgiving, even when it still hurts, because unforgiveness is a prison I refuse to live in.
Breaking Old Chains
Summer is a season of light and of long days, of warm evenings and space to breathe. Maybe that’s why it’s a good time to expose the chains we didn’t realize we were still wearing.
Have you felt that, too? That quiet conviction in the middle of your so-called rest? That whisper reminding you of the thoughts you need to surrender, the habits you hide, the lies you believe? I have. And it’s uncomfortable.
This is your invitation to lay them down.
You don’t have to fix everything today, or even tomorrow. But you can choose today to take one step toward freedom. You can choose to have that hard conversation. You can choose to start journaling through the lies and replacing them with truth. Or maybe you just start by saying no to a toxic relationship or by spending a weekend unplugged from all the noise so you can actually hear God again.
Spiritual freedom begins with spiritual honesty. You can’t be free if you’re not willing to name what’s keeping you bound. Examine your chains, give them names, and cast them out from your life.
Look for the Fruit
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17
One way I check whether I’m walking in spiritual freedom is by looking for the fruit. Not the fake fruit that people praise, like perfection, performance, and people-pleasing, but the real fruit. Peace. Joy. Patience. Kindness. Self-control.
When I’m living in freedom, I’m not constantly trying to prove myself. I’m not afraid to rest. I’m not performing for God’s approval; I’m living from it. I’m more generous, more open, more honest. I’m able to speak truth in love. I walk slower. I listen more. I’m okay with the mystery.
This summer, if you want a gauge for how free you really feel, don’t look at your productivity or your plans. Look at the fruit.
Practical Ways to Embrace Spiritual Freedom
I’m learning, slowly, to cultivate spiritual freedom on purpose. Here are a few ways I’m leaning into His freedom this season:
- Daily surrender. Freedom starts with giving God my plans, my worries, and my control. Every. Single. Day. Ouch. Are you as convicted as I am?
- Unplug often. Social media has a way of reminding me what I’m not. When I unplug from it, I remember who I am.
- Speak Scripture out loud. There’s power in speaking truth when lies are loud. Lean on His promises – write them down. Don’t let the devil get a foothold by feeding you lies.
- Celebrate progress. Even if I’m not where I want to be, I’m not where I used to be. That counts.
- Invite others into the journey. Isolation is a lie. Freedom grows when it’s shared. Talk to someone. Ask for prayer. Be honest about where you are. You might be surprised by how many people your story encourages.
Freedom Is Your Inheritance
Friend, if you are in Christ, you are already free. Not someday. Not when you get your act together. Not when you feel worthy. Now.
The chains might still rattle. The lies might still whisper. But they hold no real power over you anymore. You’ve been bought with a price. You don’t have to live like a prisoner any longer.
This summer, remember what you’ve been given. Freedom. True, soul-deep, God-given spiritual freedom. Step into it. Even if it’s scary. Even if you have to do it afraid. Because freedom isn’t about feeling brave. It’s about trusting the One who already broke every chain.
Read here to learn more about the power of saying “no.”
