Confident Chains: From Captivity to Courage

"My chains are in Christ, and most of the brothers in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." (Philippians 1:13-14)

When I visited Germany with my daughters, we went down into a wartime basement jail

used to isolate and intimidate prisoners before their appearance in the courtroom above. The underground cell was intended to squeeze out any remaining glimmer of courage or hope. The psychological terrorism was specifically designed to minimise and terrorise occupants into submission and defeated silence.

The Hidden Jail Cells: Thick walls of oppression press in against truth and disconnect us from freedom and courage.

The thick walls drown out your voice.

Locked down and disconnected, you become nothing and no one. It's a perfect gateway for fear and identity lies to invade and breed.

The tour guide explained how the grand court's design and decor contrast with the enclosed, oppressive atmosphere below. The accused climbed a twisted, cramped staircase and appeared through a narrow door before the awaiting judge; the magnified furnishings and elevated platforms immediately intimidated.

The imposing weight of history's sentences towered above with a guilty verdict.

Unpredictable Freedom

Paul's statement about his chains and jail sentence is a defiant demonstration of the Holy Spirit's work in the dark and hidden holes of humanity. Where injustice rules and persecution dominates, light penetrates the soul in unpredictable ways.

Underground Exchanges

Instead of shrinking, we see empowering.

Instead of silencing, there is boldness.

In exchange for heaviness, there is a celebration of kingdom alignments and bolder, fearless declarations.

The intended defeat instead dispatches a surge of refined authority and confident takeback that rewrites the narrative for greater purposes than the seen restrictions.

Paul gains greater authority and resolve to break out and break through into God's power at work in the places of weakness.

There is expansion and advancement in the underground.

God Breaks Chains

I am obviously not in a physical prison, but there are times when I feel the pressing and minimising accusations of the enemy showing me the low ceiling, shrinking my confidence, and whispering lies of defeat.

Fear doesn't have the final say.

This is when we lean in with submission to God's hand at work within us. His power, His presence, His promises are undaunted by warfare tactics. They remain unmoved and undiluted.

Trembling anxiety and doubt become trembling awe when HIS presence invades.

May the chains that have shrunk your courage and stolen your strength be exchanged for renewed confidence and boldness to move forward.

🌿If this devotion blessed you, read the other encouragements in the Faith Moments series.