Shackles....Get 'Em Off!

We all have something that weighs us down, holds us back, limits us, etc.
For a long time I felt that something was wrong with me because I didn't have that one big sin area in my life. You know, that one big thing that I should be constantly working on. And I knew there had to be something....I'm very FAR from perfect.
So I had been praying for God to show me the areas in my life I need to work on.
You know, for Him.

And over the last couple of weeks, it's getting clearer and clearer.
It's my weight.
Truly.
Currently, "I" am letting my weight hinder everything in my life.
My relationship with God, my day to day activities, social interaction, home life, friendships, my relationship with Chris,....you name it, it's being affected.
I am in a constant state of feeling that everyone is judging me and feeling like a failure.
No one has ever said anything mean to me about my weight, but I just "know" their thinking it.
Anyway, it's been a struggle to say the least.
I spend more time thinking about weight issues, what to eat, when to exercise, am I a failure, etc than I do anything else.
So let's just add that to my list of my unhealthy lifestyle.

Going down the road the other day I was listening to my iPod when "Shackles" from Mary Mary came on.

God moved me through that song.
My weight is the shackles holding me down.
And it's time to get them off. This is not what God intended for my life.
In Deuteronomy, God says "You've circled this mountain long enough. It's time to move north."
So now, I am starting each day listening to my new theme song - "Shackles".
I'm ready to dance and praise and live - no matter what my size.

Here are the words to my new daily inspiration:

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise You I just wanna praise You
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise You
I'm gonna praise, praise you

In the corners of my mind
I just can't seem to find A reason to believe
That I can break free
Cause you see I have been bound for so long
Felt like all hope was gone
But as I lift my hands I understand
That I should praise You through my circumstance

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise You I just wanna praise You
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise You
I'm gonna praise, praise you

Everything that could go wrong
All went wrong at one time
See so much pressure fell on me
I thought I was gonna lose my mind
Lord I know You wanna see
If I will hold on through these trials
But I need You to lift this load
Cause I can't take it no more

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise You I just wanna praise You
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise You
I'm gonna praise, praise you

Been through the fire and the rain
Bound in every kind of way
But God has broken every chain
So let me go right now

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise You
I just wanna praise You
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise You
I'm gonna praise, praise you