When my brother was a teenager, my mother used to threaten him when he hunched over at the dinner table. “If you don’t sit up,” she would say, “I’m going to buy you a back brace from Sears.” I don’t even know if Sears made back braces then, but it sounded like a pretty good threat to me.
Then I had a son who seemingly grew to six feet overnight. He didn’t know what to do with all that height, so he slumped. I tried my best not to say, “If you don’t sit up, I’m going to buy you a back brace from Sears.”
Then one night my father-in-law took care of it for me. We were measuring and marking various family members’ heights on the dining room door frame. My 77-year-old father-in-law, who was about five-foot ten, stood with his back against the doorframe. Then he took a deep breath and extended his curved back to its fullest upright position. We marked him at six-foot three.
I watched Steven’s eyes grow wide as Papa grew tall. He saw firsthand the difference it made to stand up straight. From that day on, my son stood straight and tall. I have never seen him slump once since then.
There was a woman in the Bible who slumped…not because she wouldn’t stand up straight, but because she couldn’t. Her story is recorded in Luke 13:10-17. “On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years.
She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, ‘Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.’ Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God” (NIV).
Jesus took the fearful and forgotten and transformed them into the faithful and forever remembered. And we still remember this bent and bowed woman’s healing today.
While we might not be able to relate to being bent over physically, most of us can relate to being bent over emotionally. We see feet…people passing by, going about their busy lives. We see dirt…the mistakes we’ve made through the years. We see trash…the pain inflicted on us by others and many times by our own poor decisions.
Bent and bowed. The weight of the world on our shoulders. Little-by-little. Day-by-day. Bent and bowed because of our color, gender, age, marital state, family history, or financial lack.
Crippled by shame, fear, pain, disappointment, depression, poverty, insecurity, inferiority, inadequacy, broken dreams.
I was crippled for many years. I listened to words from my past telling me I was “ugly,” “not good enough,” and “worthless.” Inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy were my three closest companions. I didn’t like these three lurking shadows, but they followed me everywhere I went. They stalked me, yelling taunts and accusations that no one heard but me. The more I listened to them, the more emotionally bound I became.
Then one day Jesus called me out of hiding just as surely as He called the crippled woman from the women’s section in the back synagogue in Luke 13. He placed His nail-scarred hand under my chin and lifted my eyes. It was as if He said to me, “Sharon, you are free from your infirmity of feeling less than. Because of the finished work I did for you on the cross and My spirit living in you, you are more than enough to do what I’ve called you to do and be who I’ve called you to be.”
That’s what He’s saying to you today. No more slumping in self-doubt or hunching in halfhearted conviction, but instead standing up to the full stature of a confident woman who knows she is equipped by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and enveloped in Jesus Christ. A daughter of Abraham by grafting. A child of God by choosing.
Is there something in your life that is crippling your spirit? Unforgiveness? Bitterness? Resentment? Guilt? Sorrow? Worry? Regret? Comparison? If so, cut it loose, cast it off, throw it away. Whatever has been holding you back from lifting your head…Jesus has come to set you free! Lift up your head, dear sister. He has called you by name. You are His.
Dear Jesus, thank You for setting me free! Today, I choose to walk in that freedom and to never be held captive by emotional chains again! In Your Name, Amen.
What is Jesus calling you to be free of today? Leave a comment and let’s share.
Digging Deeper
If you’ve ever felt less than because of your past, your present circumstances, or your gender as a woman then my book, Never Less Than: Living Empowered, Esteemed, and Equipped When the World Tells You Otherwise is just for you! The pages take an in-depth look at each of Jesus’ interaction with women in the New Testament and reveal how He broke a cultural rules to elevate and esteem her. This is a message that your daughters need to hear. This is a message that you, as a woman, need to hear
Click here for a FREE download of 25 Ways Jesus Honored Women
Moms and Grandmas! Don’t forget YOUR school supplies!!!! Prayer…one of the most important things we can do for our children as they face the rigors of a confusing culture.
Comments 37
I truly needed to hear this. How timely. Thank you, Sharon, for your ministry. Will you please say a prayer over my marriage? May the Lord continue to bless you.
Thank you Sharon for this (literally) uplifting message today. It is just what I needed to hear and a great way start to the morning.🩷
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Hi Sharon,
I truly needed these words today. Like you I am learning of letting go of self-defeat and negative self-talk about who I am. Each day I am learning and believing in the Lord who made me His and allowing Him to have purpose and meaning in my life. Thank you, Sharon,!!
Blessings
Tab
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I’m so proud of you!!!!
Jesus is calling me to be free from my past of guilt, regret and shame.
John 8:36-“Whomever the son sets free is free indeed.”
Romans 8:1-“There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus is calling me today to be free from blaming myself for my adult children’s poor decisions.
Please stop blaming yourself. We are all going to have trials and tribulations. Keep praying and TRUSTING GOD to turn things around for your children. There is nothing impossible for God. Pray.. Fast…Don’t give up your children. God doesn’t give up on us.
Perfect timing. Perfect words. I needed this today! Thank you, Sharon
Many regrets and choices from the past!
Thank you Jesus for continually pursuing me and not given up on me!
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can!”
Thank you Sharon once again for a great message! God Bless you all!
Jesus is calling me to freedom from my self doubt. I struggle to believe that I can still be used by Him at this stage of life: a mostly empty nester, a single woman, a retired teacher. I trust that He has more for me, and that God is not done with me yet!
Amen,God thank you for releasing the emotional chains that had my mind and body.
Growing up, I had an adorable little sister. People would always say “Oh, sweetie, you are so cute.” As I stood there, looking forlorn, they would say “Oh, Pammie, you have such a good personality.” I didn’t want a good personality — I wanted to hear someone say I was so cute. My aunt (who I loved) would often joke (when I was adult) that she and my sister were beautiful — implying I wasn’t. But by then, I had come to know Jesus and knew how much I was loved. I would always respond to her “That’s okay, because I know Jesus loves me.” She didn’t know what to say at that point. But Jesus has blessed me with His love, a wonderful husband and a sense of worth. And I now try to encourage every young girl who isn’t “beautiful” by sharing God’s love.
amen
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And look at your sweet face in your profile picture! I see that and think…I’d love to be her friend!
Most of my life, I didn’t feel smart enough! But, I am God daughter and he choose me! To a light and voice for him! Thank you, for reminding me of this! Julie
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Amen! You are who God says you are.
Amen in JESUS’ MOST PRECIOUS NAME AMEN. GOD is truly an awesome GOD! Yes, GOD lifts up those who are crippled by so many unhealthy situations in life. I ~ for one is now starting to see things with faith after more than 23 years of praying ~ i am now able to grasp how wide and how deep GOD’S love for me. Keep the faith. A faith that is a gift from GOD never dies because it is given to us by His grace. Ephesians 2:10
My grace is sufficient for you says the LORD for My power works best in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10.
Free from worry and anxiety!
I recently (in the past 2 months) went through an end of an 11 year relationship. Ending was not my choosing. Narcissistic behaviors have been involved and I’m really struggling today. I just found out yesterday he’s seeing another woman and asked her to marry him after only 2 weeks of seeing her, but still giving me signals that we could reconcile. I’m just devastated. Please keep me in prayers
Thank you Sharon for this message. Growing up I always felt ugly and not smart. I have always worried and stressed about everything. I just wanted to be told I was beautiful but at 73 years young I am learning that God has always loved my beautiful heart! I have been a Christian for many, many years and have prayed daily for guidance. I am truly blessed and love your uplifting messages. Thank you ! 🙏❤️
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Thank you, sweet friend.
Fear…..the “what ifs”…
I made some bad decisions during my marriage along with other problems… and it cost me my marriage. My sons were only 3 & 5 at the time. I wanted to protect them from anything I could while raising them, however, I feel that I messed up royally in doing that because it seems to have affected my sons. The older of the two is in an unhappy relationship & he blames me for a lot of what has happened since his dad & I split. I totally and absolutely understand about living with guilt & regret on a DAILY basis. I really needed this devotion today. I am hoping that one day, I can feel free from all of this, but right now, I feel that I am losing my son. ~~so broken
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Let me encourage you. My parents made a ton of mistakes. I grew up in a violent home. BUT GOD. In the end, it is up to the adult child’s decisions. As parents we can take too much credit or too much blame. Don’t take responsibility for your adult child’s decisions. They have a choice, just like I did.
Oh my did I need to hear that today. Jesus, heal me from all the above. Thank you for all of your wonderful posts every week
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I need to remind myself of that truth often!
I have been weighed down by loosing my leg to artery disease…but NOW I am reminded im going to WALK IN HEAVEN!!!
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Girl, you’re going to dance!
Thank you Sharon. Your posts are always timely to my experience. Lately I have been feeling exhausted and drained. Heavy with burdens I carry from my children’s problems or imperfections. Today I pleaded to the Lord to let his LOVE for me shine on me and remind me just how loved I am. To remind me that I am doing well and doing enough. It’s a lot blazing a new family path than the one I’ve been brought up on and sometimes lonely. My husband and I don’t get support from others and have 3 young boys ages 18m, 4.5 and 6.5. Though I know all of my support comes from our Lord and savior Jesus, God and the holy spirit. Thank you for sharing your heart and your revelations. They sure bring settlement to my walk with the Lord. From a tired, 32 year young, Mama and daughter of the highest ❤️
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Oh sweet girl, I wish I could be with you snd give you a big hug. I remember those tiring years. Sometimes my husband would come home from work snd I’d meet him at the door, not with a kiss, but with…”I’m going for a walk.” I bet you are doing a great job!!! I’m cheering for you!
Thank you Sharon. It is so easy to second guess and ridicule myself. I Am His…..regardless of my upbringing, history or poor choices.
Put my trust and faith firmly in the one who created and cares for me.
Thank you for the reminder. God bless you.
I have been struggling with confidence issues most of my life. I know God is calling me into being a speaker, writer, and Life Coach, but I keep seeming to put other things first. I’m in the editing phase of a book I am writing, and I haven’t touched it all summer. I keep finding excuse that I don’t have time right now.
On July 3, 1998, I left an abusive marriage with only the clothes on my back and my seventeen-year-old daughter. I lost my home and the material things inside the home. On October 19, 1998, my father passed away from a thirteen year battle with Alzheimer’s. I moved my mother from South Carolina to live with me.Florida. On August 14, 1998 my brother was killed in a car wreck, and exactly two weeks later, I buried my precious mother. She died from a broken heart after losing my father and my brother.
God carried me through those ten months of loss. For the first time in my life, I was a single woman with a single income. He provided whatever was needed to survive at the moment it was needed. I was much younger when all of this happened in my life. God sees us, He hears the cry of our hearts when we have no words to speak. He who calls us is faithful, and He will never leave us! For this, I am thankful and I praise His Holy Name!
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Amen.
I was just informed that I have cancer , I am going for a biopsy on 9/15. Prayers please, for a complete healing. My son has not spoken to me in approximately 10 years and my daughter in over 3 years. Prayers please
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Patricia. I am stopping to pray right now. I am also praying that this will be a bridge to your relationships to be restored.