Freedom (Happy 4th of July!)
If you are an American you most likely attribute the liberties we enjoy in the United States to the nation’s founding fathers and the Declaration of Independence, which was signed on July 4, 1776. However, credit should be given where credit is due and, truth me known, our freedom comes not from mortal men but from the original Founding Father – God the Father. It is through Jesus Christ that we can truly be set free – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The the following scriptures (ESV) attest as much:
Galations 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
1 Peter 2:16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
If you are presently living under the yoke of bondage to addiction, co-dependency, depression, anger, bitterness, fear, eating disorder, or anxiety, know that you can be set free. There is hope for you as stated in Romans 8:21 “… the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” Today, this day of independence, choose to be free. Choose health and wholeness. It’s only a prayer away.

Ylena Parks, a native Californian, is married to a godly man and has two beautiful step-children. She has a Master's in Community/Clinical Counseling from Eastern University and presently works as an MFT Intern at OC Chrisitan Counseling in Garden Grove, CA.