CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 923

“Excess Baggage”

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

We have moved eleven times over the last four decades and even though the more recent moves were of the downsizing variety I have found that we still have too much baggage.

I was reminded of this excess baggage during my prayer time this week and the spiritual implications of being weighed down and burdened by worthless thoughts, feelings, and emotions. We all struggle at times in our lives with the burden of excess baggage that has no present or future value.

How many of us carry bitterness toward others that stems from unforgiveness of a past hurt? The very mention of someone’s name or the sight of them can literally make us ill when we carry the baggage of bitterness and unforgiveness toward them.

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22)

Many people carry guilt from things that they did in the past. Still others are burdened with guilt that stems from having been victimized by others. Guilt is a burden that the enemy of your soul uses to hinder your ability to serve God fully and completely. When you accepted Jesus Christ you have been set free from guilt and condemnation. There is no reason to carry this excess baggage any longer.

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24; Romans 8:1)

Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the excess baggage that you are needlessly carrying through life. Allow the Lord to relieve you of your burden.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; (Psalm 55:22)

May the Holy Spirit empower you to let go of your excess baggage burden and to receive lasting freedom through Jesus Christ.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)