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Hiding In the Baggage

by Kathy Ledbetter  
1/16/2015 / Devotionals

I was trying to decide what to write on tonight and "baggage" came to mind. So I went searching for scripture about baggage. The only one I could find mentioning the word "baggage" was in 1 Samuel.

Seems that Saul had been proclaimed king but was no where to be found, so they asked the Lord where he was. The New Living Version uses the word "baggage". The King James Version uses the word "stuff". Saul was hiding in the baggage aka stuff. I don't know that Saul had baggage at that time. He was just hiding in there, why, might be a study for another time. What interested me was the Lord's reply.

I have history with baggage. I have hidden in the "stuff." Isn't that what we do? We just pack bags full of all that heartache, bitterness, pain, criticism and sorrow. Whatever we have gathered through life. We haul them around for years. It is much like carrying a sack of boulders over your shoulder day after day. It causes a heaviness that presses us down. The load will soon become too heavy. So, we hide them down deep in a closet of our soul that is rarely opened. First time you go looking for something. There they are!!

Just as Saul was hiding in the baggage, we hide behind our stuff to. We build great walls around ourselves so that no one can see our pain, anger, whatever form it takes. Some try to cover their baggage with food (my specialty), alcohol, shopping, hoarding...and on it goes.

I set mine down long ago and walked away. That action set me free! I heartily recommend that you do the same. Forgive whoever or whatever caused you to pack your bags and then set them down and walk away. Set them down!! They are dead weight that takes the joy and peace from a life that God wants to be blessed and happy!!

If you are a child with bags packed from a parental relationship. FORGIVE!! If you are a parent with bags your children helped you packed. FORGIVE!! Relationships with friends and family gone awry. You knew this was coming. FORGIVE!! Your life will change overnight. They may not change, but you will.

I have history with a broken relationship with my father. It took thirty years but I initiated a conversation. I set my bags down and I was blessed to walk with him to heavens door with nothing but love for him. Setting my bags down freed both of us.

I realize that there are some bags that must be set down and forgiveness given without the participation of the one involved in your baggage issues. God will take care of that. You, will have done what you needed to do and can leave your bags in the unclaimed baggage department.

Scripture for Today:

1 Samuel 10:22 So, they asked the LORD, "Where is he?" And the LORD replied, "He is hiding among the baggage." (NLV)

1 Samuel 10:22 Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff. (KJV)

Prayer for Today:
Hello Father! There are so many whose lives are stifled and heavy with bags they have carried for years. Father I pray they are able to let go, set them down and walk away. Jesus forgives us our many sins and shortcomings daily. Help us to see that we should extend that same grace to those who have hurt us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

I celebrate fifty years married to the love of my life in January 2017. We have two beautiful daughters, son-in-laws and four precious grandchildren. I love to study God's word and write about His love for us.

(C) 2015 Kathy Ledbetter All Rights Reserved
www.hellofatherdevotionals.com

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