What is Holding You Back?

Saturday Morning Devotional

What is Holding You Back?

The picture above is one I found several years ago and hung it in my office at school. I have had several comments about it, mostly from parents as they point it out to their students. As you can imagine, this poster works well in a counselor’s office. I am always asking the students, “What is holding you back?”

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A couple of weeks ago, I had a very realistic dream. Without going into too much detail, I was at my grandmother’s old house with several other people, and we were being held “hostage” if you want to call it that. There were no kidnappers, only rumors that this was what was happening. I thought about just leaving through a door or window, but fear set in and kept me from it.

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A couple of months ago, when we still had our sweet Wile E., I wrote a post entitled, “How to Take Care of an Aging Dog.” In that post, I shared how I had to lay all of the dining room chairs over to block Wile E. from getting on the carpet while we were gone. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it needed to be done. See the picture below.

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This was meant to keep Wile E. out or hold him back, but we would come home to find him right in the middle of the dining room. Nothing was going to hold Wile E. back! However, Ally, who could have practically stepped right over the chairs wouldn’t go near them. She is a rescue with an unknown history, and she is frightened easily. This makeshift barrier really worked for her.

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What is the Point?

In all three situations, there really were no barriers to block anyone from getting where they wanted to be. It was all in their heads – a mindset.

• The horse could have easily taken off with the lightweight chair, but he didn’t believe he could do it.
• In my dream, I should have left the house, but fear of the unknown held me back.
• Ally could have jumped over the chairs and right into the dining room, but seeing something different scared her.

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Let’s see what the Bible has to say about this.

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Mindset Scriptures

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Cor. 10:5

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“…We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ, we were set free from the power of sin.”
Romans 6:6-7

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“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Proverbs 23:7

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Christ died for us to have freedom and not live in fear. Over and over, the Bible tells us not to fear. So I ask you now, “What is holding you back?” Are there things God has called you to do, but you don’t think you can do them? Are you afraid of the unknown or change? I truly feel like the Lord has something great for all of us, and our mindsets are the only barriers. Let’s knock them down!

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Quotes

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I think this devotional was specifically for me. Fear is always lurking! The kind of mindset we have will determine how far we are able to go and what goals we will reach. Let’s align our minds with Christ and keep moving. Let’s make the answer to the question, “What is holding you back” – Nothing!

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Related Posts

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Take Every thought Captive: Unlocking the Power of the Mind of Christ by Dr. Michelle Bengtson

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If you enjoy these posts, I would love for you to subscribe.

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Feel free to share any struggles or anything that holds you back. Let’s do this together!

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Have a Grace & Joy-filled day!

Susan

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“When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalms 94:19