Stephen Arterburn - Take Your Life Back Day by Day: Inspiration to Live Free One Day at a Time

By opening this devotional, you have revealed some positive things about yourself. First, you realize that your life could be better and you know that something needs to change in order for that to happen. You also understand that taking your life back is a day-by-day process, and it helps to get some encouragement and reinforcement along the way. Were happy to join you on this journey and offer some hope and some practical ideas along the way. Thank you for allowing us an opportunity to help you.

God created you for freedom, joy, and peace. For meaningful relationships and productive work. But somewhere in your past you got off track. Because of your own sin, or sins committed against you abuse, neglect, bad choices, misunderstandings you lost the sense of freedom and peace that God intends for you. You may have developed unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms that cause more problems than they solve. Instead of responding appropriately to what life sends your way, you may react blindly. You worry about what others think. You carry a heavy weight of guilt, shame, or anger.

You know all too well what the apostle Paul meant when he said, I dont really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I dont do it. Instead, I do what I hate.... I want to do what is good, but I dont. I dont want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. Sometimes it feels as if your life isnt your own anymore.

But that can change. With Gods help, you can take your life back. You can experience healing for your pain and recovery from an unhealthy reactive lifestyle. But it wont happen all at once. Its a daily journey, not a one-time experience. We created this devotional to be a companion on the road to recovery. It combines nuggets of encouragement with wisdom from Gods Word, some questions to stimulate thought, and a suggested prayer to pull you closer to the Source of all true healing.

If you havent already, we suggest that you also read our book Take Your Life Back, which explains many of the concepts and strategies we refer to in this devotional. We have also created a Take Your Life Back Workbook, which will guide you through a five-week study and can be used for personal reflection or as the basis for a group discussion. The purpose for the Take Your Life Back series is to help you find healing, purpose, and meaning in life, and to inspire you to do precisely what the title suggests.

This 365-day devotional is designed to give you daily encouragement, wisdom, and insight as you progress toward wholeness. Our hope is that you will come to realize that real and lasting change is not only worth pursuing, but it is also achievable. We all must learn how to stop reacting to life and begin to respond appropriately instead. If youre ready to take your life back, this devotional will be your daily companion and encourager along the way.

May God greatly bless you, and may you experience his presence as you read the daily devotions and begin to experience the life you were born to live.