Do You Have Baggage that Needs Unloading?

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Hebrews 12:1

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Recently I took some notes on Dr. Charles Stanley's message "Unloading Your Baggage" and I thought I'd share them with you here. I'm sure I won't explain it all exactly right, but it was such a good message I wanted to share something!! :-) If you want to watch the entire message, just go HERE.

So here is a list of baggage that people struggle with (and this is by no means comprehensive!) - a lot of it can stem from how they grew up, but still, each person needs to take responsibility for his/her actions.

Low Self-Esteem

Negative Attitude

Indecision

Lack of Concentration

No Self-Control

Suspicious

Rejection

Fear of Failure

Perfectionism

Procrastination

Defeatist Attitude

It's important that you love something about yourself. Not in a selfish or prideful way, but more in the sense that you are happy and content with how God made you.

We all struggle with many sins, but we usually have "The Sin" (as Dr. Stanley called it) meaning, one thing that especially drags us down.

"The Sin . . ."

is the primary area of weakness in your life

is the one you are most tempted with (i.e. you have a hard time resisting it)

is the one you must be on guard for the most

troubles you

hinders relationships to people and God

surfaces when you pray

frequently ensnares you

divides your mind

strikes at your self-respect

Here is a list Dr. Stanley gave of SOME of the top "entangling sins" that we struggle with. You have probably already thought of yours already just by reading the list above! Again, this is not a comprehensive list.

Unforgiveness

Critical Spirit

Jealousy

Greed

Pride

Deceit

Lust

Unbelief

Anger

Bitterness

Slander

Love of Money

Idolatry

And here are some of the consequences of baggage in our lives . . .

Distraction

Divides our mind

Slows the pace of spiritual growth

Causes us to stumble

Disqualification

Destructiveness

So, how do we deal with this baggage that is entangling us? Dr. Stanley shares . . .

ADMIT your problems

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

MAKE a decision to deal with it

Choose to LAY it aside - but not in your own strength (Phil. 4:13)

God has THE BEST plan for your life - run the race with courage, and don't let any baggage weigh you down!

"Discipline, not desire, determines our destiny." - Dr. Charles Stanley

"Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him." - Dr. Charles Stanley