Have you ever thought, “My baggage is taking over my life?” We all have baggage, but Bronlynn explains it is what you do with it that makes the difference.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self. . and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22,24).
I don’t do a tremendous amount of traveling and most of what I do is done by car, but I have traveled by plane in the past. Fortunately I never had the experience of losing my luggage. Retrieving and holding on to my baggage is a good thing when it comes to traveling.
There is another kind of baggage that is not such a good thing, particularly if it impacts the way we handle our pain and problems. Most of us carry around some mental and emotional baggage that we would do better to let go of.
This might include views and beliefs about others, ourselves, and God. We may be carrying the baggage of beliefs that God doesn’t care about suffering, is not hearing our pleas for help, and His strength will not be enough to carry us through our pain.
We may have a suitcase of lies about ourselves–we are useless, we can’t do this anymore, or we are unimportant and insignificant. Our baggage may include fear, worry, and many other negative emotions and beliefs.
As new creations in Christ this baggage is not something we have to claim anymore. At least some of the people Paul was addressing in the above passage had been caught up in many negative behaviors (2 Corinthians 4:1), yet they were able to change because of God’s renewing power.
We have that same power within us. We can let go of our old baggage and respond differently to our trials. When we are tempted to reclaim that old baggage, we need to let it pass by and claim the new wardrobe God has given us. What’s inside–a garment of praise and salvation, a robe of righteousness, and other blessings–is a much better fit.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to let go of my baggage of negative and faithless beliefs belonging to my old self. Thank you for the power You give me to change and let me appropriate that power today. Amen.
About the author:
Bronlynn Spindler lives in VA and is blessed to have the support and encouragement of a wonderful husband and three grown daughters. God’s grace and strength have brought her through thyroid cancer and continue to sustain her through ongoing back pain, depression, headaches, multiple sensitivities, eye pain, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com.
Are you carrying the baggage of any untrue beliefs about God or your pain that you need to let go of? What Biblical truths do you need to replace them with?
When you look at your life, do you think, “My baggage is taking over?” If so, you will love this song about giving your baggage over to the Lord, “Traveling Light” by Joel Hansen and Sara Groves. It is one of Bronlynn’s favorites!
Hi Bronlynn!
I appreciated reading your thoughts. They reminded me of a time I had this past August. I took a trip by car and packed up some things I needed. I have not traveled for some time and as I got out my suitcase, even empty, it was quite heavy ( and I was feeling grateful that it was one with wheels so it can be rolled ). I did not have to pack a heavy amount of items within, but even with what I did pack, it added to the weight of the empty suitcase.
Your thoughts kicked me back to that experience as I realized that often the outer images we try so hard to convey (“Oh, I am okay, I can do it myself, I am strong”) can also be baggage that harden us, weigh on us when inside God’s garments of praise and salvation, a robe of righteousness and other blessings ( as you stated ) are the ones we are to carry and will be more easily carried once the outer shell of protectiveness that is not from Him, is discarded. He wants us free to move with him, glide with Him on the wheels of His care and letting Him carrying us through.
Thanks for another great devotional. They always bless me.
Love,
Lynn
Thanks Lynn. You could write a devotional on my devotional! Yes, why do we hold on to those heavy weights when they are so cumbersome and unnecessary now that we are new creations? Our old natures sure don’t want to let go at times:). Hope you are feeling well and enjoying the fall!
Love and prayers,
Bronlynn
Love that song! I really needed to hear it this morning as I’ve been worried about a brother in Christ who is struggling with some issues. Was a good reminder to leave it all in God’s hands and trust He will help my friend. Handing it over to God…
I love that song too – it got me through my whole thyroid cancer ordeal almost 10 years ago now.
Hi Bronlynn, I liked your devotional and the song. Why is it so hard to get rid of the old baggage and believe what God’s Word says about us instead of the lies the devil puts in our head? I meditate on God’s Word, I play healing tapes, I’m in His Word everyday. It is life to me but I still ask myself the question, “When are you going to get it? When will it become real to me?” Someday I hope to wake up to find a brand new me with a brand new body free of pain and fatigue. Until then, I’m thankful for people like you that bring encouragement into my life and I thank-you!
Bronlynn & Lynn: Between the two of you, I find quite a bit to ponder about discarding the old and putting on the new.
Did you hear the illustration of the old leaves that seem to cling to trees all winter? Well, it seems that, in the spring when the new leaves appear they finally let go. So the more we choose (by God’s grace) to tell ourselves the truth about God and ourselves, the less false and self-demeaning thoughts will dominate our thinking.
It is definitely one of those things that’s easier said than done. But your helpful thoughts will hopefully spur me on to more godly thinking and being.
Luv ya both,
Beth
Thanks, Beth!
I think all the responses to Bronlynn’s great devotional ( from Fiona, Lucille, and you ) have added on more thoughts for us to ponder. It is always good when we can encourage one another.
Love you, too.
Lynn
WOW Bronlynn!
I’ve just been taken back into memories of a time, many years ago, when my husband performed a piece at a conference about just this! He, & his performance partner, had suitcases & long rubber chains attached to them & were dragging the heavy cases everywhere behind them during the piece & getting exhausted. After the piece the conference participants went into a spontaneous time of repentance & it was a special night. Hmmmm……will ponder what baggage I’m carrying needlessly. Thanks Bronlynn. Lotsoluv Kerryn