Many of us want to move forward, but we feel stuck. We want to inch ahead, but we feel immovable. We want to change, but we can’t seem to.

Why?

Outlook is everything!

I’m sure at some point in life we’ve all heard the story of the princess who was captured and put in a dungeon.

An enemy force captures the princess and relegates her to the dungeon in her own castle. This woman, forgetting who she is, eventually gets out of the dungeon. But even though she feels relief at getting out, all she can do is slump against the near wall and wait for someone to come. She won’t go forward because she fears what’s ahead. She’s physically free, yet her mind still insists she’s stuck. So, she stays where she is, sitting outside the dungeon.

Outlook is everything!

If this princess remembers she’s a princess. If she remembers who her dad is: The Father and The King. She will remember she’s loved. She will trust that he will take care of her existing pain. She will leave behind the bars that kept her and immediately run back to her father. She will understand she hasn’t only been delivered from the dungeon, but she’s been delivered to the King with all his influence and power.

Remember, outlook is everything!

Now let’s take out the princess and insert your name_______. If you remember who your dad is: The Father and The King {Jehovah—The relational God; Psalm 83:18}. If you remember who He says you are----loved, chosen and blameless in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-7). If you trust Him {Jehovah Rapah—The Lord who heals; Exodus 15:26 } by faith to take care of your existing pain. You will leave behind the bars that kept you and immediately run to the Father {Jehovah Rohi—The Lord is your Shepherd;  Psalm 23:1}. At that moment you will understand you haven’t only been delivered from the dungeon, but you’ve been delivered to the King of Kings {Adonai—the God who rules; John 1:1; Colossians 1:16}.

Although the princess and the dungeon are a fairy tale story, we ALL have our princess and the dungeon stories.

Just like the princess had enough faith to believe her (natural)father is greater than anything she faced.

Likewise, God, who is Sovereign, is bigger than anything we have face. The question is, do we have enough faith to believe?

Remember, outlook is everything!

We are delivered from darkness and delivered to a greater kingdom of light. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,” (Colossians 1:13 ESV).

We are delivered from fear and delivered to power, love, and self-control. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV).

We are delivered from darkness, delivered to forgiveness and a place among those who are sanctified. “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me”(Acts 26:18 ESV).

We aren’t just being delivered from something horrible, we are being delivered to something greater. God saved us from the penalty of sins and is saving us still from the power of sin. One day we will be free from the presence of sin! Until then, we don’t have to sit right outside our dungeon. Indeed, this is amazing grace, good news and worthy of praise. God saves (Romans 6:23 ESV; Colossians 2:13-14 ESV).

As I think of my story, I realize, I wasn’t just delivered from insecurity and fear, rejection and anxiety just to name a few.  I was delivered to boldness and courage. I wasn’t just delivered from the fact that I was timid about writing, worried about what others would say.  I was delivered to being a writer for God’s glory.

Those who have been set free, set others free. This is the beauty of the Kingdom of God.

Like the princess we must remember: who we are and Whose we are.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You. I thank You for saving me. I thank You for loving and caring about me. I’m no longer captured in a dungeon. I am chosen and called by You. Please help me to get out of my own mind and thoughts. I know you have a plan for me. I’m asking that you extend your grace to enable me to do Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PEARLStoPONDER: We haven’t just been delivered from darkness; we’ve been delivered to something greater. Our God saves and restores.

Galatians 5:1--For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Colossians 1:13--He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

Psalm 40:2--He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

Philippians 1:19--for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.