Scripture: Judges 16:23-25
Let’s talk about Samson for a second. Picture this: a man chosen by God, with strength that could defeat armies, now shackled in a Philistine prison. His enemies are laughing, celebrating his downfall, and using his capture as an excuse to mock God. It’s a heavy scene, but it mirrors something many of us face—feeling stuck, trapped, and powerless in a prison we didn’t choose.
That’s how I feel sometimes. Stuck in a prison, not of stone walls or chains, but of memories, guilt, and anger. A prison I didn’t even realize I was stepping into when I moved to Miami or when I said, "I do." Now, post-divorce, the chains aren’t physical, but they feel just as real.
There are places I avoid because they’re haunted by memories—churches, the beach, entire parts of the city. These aren’t happy places anymore; they’re reminders of broken promises, of love that was never real. Seeing him, even the thought of it, makes me angry—not just at him, but at myself for decisions I made. It’s like every step forward gets tangled in these invisible chains.
Prison Isn’t Permanent
When Samson was in prison, he was blind, humiliated, and probably questioning everything. But here’s the twist: God wasn’t done with him yet. Even in that dark, hopeless place, God was still working. Samson’s greatest victory came after his greatest defeat.
I hold onto that hope because, truthfully, I’m tired of feeling like a prisoner. I’ve been confined—physically in my marriage, and now mentally, emotionally, spiritually. But you know what? I’m done. I’m done letting guilt, anger, and fear rob me of the freedom Jesus already gave me.
Facing the Hard Stuff
Breaking free means facing the hard stuff. It means leaning into the discomfort, the memories, the places I avoid. It means going to church even if it’s awkward. It means reclaiming the beach, not as a symbol of lies, but as a place where God’s creation meets me with peace.
I don’t want to sugarcoat it. This is hard. Every step forward feels like climbing a mountain barefoot. But every time it’s hard, I remind myself: I’m growing. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones—it happens in the trenches.
And here’s the best part: I’m not doing it alone. God is with me. He’s been with me in every painful moment, every tear, every scream into the pillow. He never left. Just like He didn’t leave Samson in that prison.
From Hardship to Healing
So, this is my commitment: to lean in. To press through. To stop avoiding and start embracing the hard stuff because it leads to healing. It leads to freedom. And I know this: the harder the process, the greater the reward.
If you’re feeling stuck in a prison—whether it’s one someone else put you in or one you’ve built in your mind—know this: God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s right there, ready to lead you out, one step at a time.
Thank You, God, for never leaving me. Thank You, Jesus, for showing me what strength looks like.
I’m committed. Let’s go.
What’s one “hard thing” you can lean into this week? How can you trust God to lead you from prison to purpose? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to pray with you. 💛