The gospels record over three-dozen miracles that Jesus performed during his three-year ministry. As Jesus traveled from town to town, teaching and pointing people to God, he took a personal interest in their lives. He saw their needs, hurts and struggles. When Jesus met them face-to-face he set them free. Luke 17 records the story of 10 lepers. These men were banned from society because of their contagion, separated from friends and loved ones. Jesus healed them, setting them free to live a normal life. The woman caught in adultery stood uncondemned before her accusers and Jesus set her free to start life anew. Jesus met a demon-possessed man who lived in a graveyard. He was isolated from everyone, alone in his pain. He heard voices, cut himself with stones and posed a threat to anyone who tried to restrain him. When he encountered Jesus, he was set free from the turmoil and bondage that Satan had used to destroy his life. Jesus wants to set every person free. There is no reason to live overwhelmed by burdens, filled with pain, and wrapped in Satan’s chains. Reach out to Jesus.

Scriptures
Mk 5:2-9; Jn 10:10; 2 Co 5:17, 10:4-5; Ps 116:3-4; Zp 3:17

Verse
Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past if forgotten, and everything is new. (2 Co 5:17)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
(Jn 10:10) The weapons we use in our fight are not the world’s weapons but God’s powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ. (2 Co 10:4-5)

Thought
When you are going through a struggle Satan wants to isolate you from everyone and everything that can help. He tells you that you are not worthy of anyone’s love; he tells you that no one cares. Isolation makes your situation seem exponentially worse. This is all part of Satan’s calculated plan to destroy you. His lies cause mental anguish and self-loathing, and he destroys your self-worth. With no one to help you fight, it’s easy to give in and give up. It’s like living in a graveyard. Life is diminished to mere existence and you live in torment and anxiety—held hostage. We all carry different burdens. We all have junk that makes us sick and holds us down. These things keep us from being the person God created us to be… a person who is fearfully and wonderfully made by God on purpose for a purpose. Jesus specializes in making broken people whole and setting them free. Jesus wants to restore you so that you can be the person God has called you to be.

Questions
How do you respond to this statement? Satan and his demons are alive and well in our world today. How and why does spiritual turmoil affect the entire person (body, mind & spirit)? Why do people often isolate themselves from church and Christian friends when they are going through a struggle? Why do we so easily fall prey to Satan’s lie that no one can understand our problems, struggles, grief, sin, or pain? What’s the difference between demon possession and being tempted and tormented by Satan? Discuss 2 Co 10:4-5. How does this Scripture give practical advice for dealing with Satan’s attacks?

Response
If you are bound by Satan’s chains, being lied to, and having your life stolen in some area, ask Jesus to free you and help you rise out of and above what is holding you down. Share your burden with a trusted Christian friend and ask them to help you and pray for you. If you need to be accountable in some area, give them permission to hold you accountable until you have moved above and beyond your struggles.

Prayer
Jesus, keep me close to you. Give me wisdom to escape Satan’s lies and courage to seek help from those who love and care for me. Help me to walk in freedom with my brothers and sisters in Christ as we share one another’s burdens and experience your grace, love and forgiveness. Allow me to minister to those who need you and the freedom that only you can give. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.