Does True Freedom Actually Exist?

You probably aren’t surprised that this post is about freedom because the 4th of July (i.e., Independence Day) is coming up soon. But my answer to the question “Does true freedom actually exist?” might surprise you. Truth be told, there are lots of things we don’t have freedom from—at least not here and now.

(Temporarily) Stuck

For many years, I’ve struggled with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Movies and TV shows sometimes portray it as a silly little quirk, but in real life, it’s much more serious. In short, having OCD means I obsess about things I don’t need to obsess about and feel obligated to act on those obsessive thoughts.

Thankfully, I have ups and downs with OCD. It’s not totally debilitating, but it’s exhausting at times. Because of my struggle with OCD, my answer to the question “Does true freedom actually exist?” is a resounding “no.” There are things that can help make OCD less intense, but as far as I know, there’s no cure for it. I can’t have total freedom from it.

Maybe your struggle isn’t OCD though—maybe it’s something else that has no true solution. Yes, you can persevere through it, but you can’t make it go away. No matter how hard you try to avoid it or fix it or change it, it’s there. The truth is you can’t be completely free from suffering—yet.

Present Suffering, Future Glory

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:15-18 ESV)

The spirit of slavery that kept you trapped in fear isn’t the spirit you received when you became a Christian. You received the Holy Spirit, who makes you a child of God. This means you’re a co-heir with Christ, but it almost means you’re a co-sufferer with Christ. He endured intense trials, and you’re called to endure them too.

The things you can’t be truly free from in this life—illness, injury, rejection, criticism, abuse, loss, persecution, etc.—are things you’ll be truly free from in the life to come. True freedom exists in the glorious future awaiting you. Take heart, friends!