Run Your Race With Joy!

KINDLE THE FLAME HOST/SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT

//Lynette Hagin

At one time or another, we've all dealt with baggage in our lives. It doesn't matter who we are—life isn't perfect. We experience disappointments, failures, deceptions, and ugly situations. In the midst of these difficult times, whether we realize it or not, we start accumulating baggage.

Sometimes we don't see the baggage we're carrying because we've become so accustomed to it. It's just a part of our lives. But that baggage keeps us from fulfilling God's plan for us. Baggage prevents us from having the joy of the Lord in our hearts. It keeps us in bondage.

We've got to get rid of that baggage! Things are gearing up in the spirit realm, and we have a race to run. We have assignments from God, and the only way we're going to accomplish them is to kick the baggage out the door! Look at what the Book of Hebrews tells us.

HEBREWS 12:1–2 (NLT)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, LET US STRIP OFF EVERY WEIGHT THAT SLOWS US DOWN, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.

In these days we must lay aside every weight—anything that loads us down. In other words, the baggage. What's keeping you from moving forward—from running your race? Let's look at some things that have become baggage for many people.

Low Self-Esteem

Sometimes we try to cover up low self-esteem. We hide it with our bling. We say, "Nobody's going to know that I have low self-esteem because I'm just going to bling them out!" But when we get home, reality sets in. We look at ourselves and don't value ourselves as God values us. He doesn't want us to have low self-esteem. So how do we get rid of it?

We draw upon God's provision of self-esteem. God made us. He made us exactly the way He wanted us to be. Psalm 139:14 (NKJV) says, "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." If He made you with long legs like me—be proud of them. You just tower over all the guys.

We need to kick out that baggage of low self-esteem and know that God made us the way we are!

Frustration

This can be another piece of baggage. Sometimes we can become frustrated with what's going on around us—whether it's a job, family, a house, or some other situation. When that happens, we need to draw on the patience God has provided. James 1:4 (NKJV) says, "Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

I've learned a valuable lesson: Sometimes God does not give us specifics overnight, and we have to be patient and let things work out. He's not only working on us; He's working on other things to make everything work out as it should. Kick that frustration out and know that God is working patience in your life.

Depression

The baggage of depression is very real. It will take you into a dark hole, and it can be difficult to get out. If you start accepting just a little portion of it, depression will engulf your whole vision.

God has made provision for depression; He has given us joy. Jesus said in John 15:11 (NKJV), "'These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.' " We can have joy. We don't have to be depressed.

God's got grace for disappointments, comfort for hurts, love for fear, and peace for worry. He's got reconciliation, restoration, high self-esteem, patience, health, provision, and joy unspeakable!

So often we share with those around us about the baggage we are experiencing, and they try to give us advice. But I want you to know that when Jesus died on the cross, He took all our baggage for us. We've got to accept and receive what He did! It's time for us to get rid of that baggage for good and let God use us!
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[Editor's Note: This article was
adapted from Lynette Hagin's Thursday night message at Kindle the Flame 2011. Don't miss this year's awesome women's conference!]