Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:4-5).
You can have the salvation of Jesus or the
independent woman mentality, but you cannot have both. The Bible defines
salvation as deliverance, victory, prosperity, help, aid, health, and welfare.
In Hebrew, salvation is referred to as Yahshua. Jesus is Yahshua, our salvation
– whatever you need him to be at the present moment.
The dictionary defines independent as free from
outside control; not depending on another's authority; not depending on another
for livelihood or subsistence. An independent spirit exudes selfishness and
pride. It only thinks about "I" and not what God wants for my life.
It's also a trap for low self-esteem because if "I" doesn't meet set
expectations, then "I" feels like a failure. "I" also tacks
on a lot of unreasonable and unrealistic outlooks and burdens that are
impossible for any human woman to meet and carry.
A spirit of independence keeps us from
experiencing the salvation of Jesus. An independent woman’s mindset says to
Jesus that “I am self-made. I do not need your help physically, emotionally,
spiritually, and financially. I do not need you.” So, therefore, she does not
get to experience His forgiveness (this is why she still feels guilty after
repetitively asking Jesus to forgive her for past sins) or have an enriching, life-changing
relationship with him. An independent woman also misses out on the
opportunities to have enriching relationships with others because an
independent spirit is controlling, dominating, unwilling to compromise, rude,
obnoxious, boisterous, argumentative, unforgiving, unyielding, and overbearing.
Independent is a state of isolation. So, therefore, she is often lonely and
miserable, no matter the façade she portrays.
Independent woman, take Jesus’ hand and find
relief from the heavy burden and unrealistic expectations that you have placed
on yourself. Allow Jesus to be your Savior and Lord over your life. Let him
make you a new woman. Jesus’ burdens are light and his yoke is easier than the
ones we place on ourselves (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus wants us to have life and
life more abundantly, but we cannot have this in the spirit of independence.
At the end of the day, outside of having
material things, where does an independent spirit get you? Do joy and peace
follow your life?
XOXO,
Jay
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