Drawing the Line by Kate CroccoSample

Releasing the Chains

The year 2020 was when everything I had not just asked but begged God for was now in my hands. I had high hopes for all I would accomplish in my writing and coaching career. My two girls were entering full-time daycare, and I was getting ready to launch my first book. I was going to be unstoppable.

So when a mysterious virus called COVID-19 hit our country, and our city of New York went on lockdown, instead of experiencing what I thought would be my big break, I laid down my career to become the 2020 version of June Cleaver.

Let’s say I didn’t take this gracefully—my pride was hurting big-time. And what does pride do? Pride eggs us on to kick, scream, and hold on tightly to things that are no longer aligned with our life vision until we can’t hold on any longer.

I am sure that God will always give us what we need, not necessarily what we want. I love Isaiah 55:8–9: “My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans” (CEB).

Being locked inside, left to face myself, my feelings, and my family, I began to see God soften my heart and call me to quit chasing all I had wanted. I felt him calling me to be the opposite of what I had prayed for.

I realized I was no longer living in alignment—a life of provision, an unshakable faith, security in his plan, fullness, joy, and peace. I needed to release my pride, quit the inflexible thinking, and begin leaning into him again. And so, the journey of getting back into alignment began.

As I was learning, to fully live out God’s promise, we have to set pride aside, live with open hands, and realize that his plan is always better than what we had in mind.

What dream are you holding on to today that you sense God is trying to tell you to release? What would it look like to tune in to God’s still and steady voice, release the chains holding you captive, and surrender to him?