Christian Counseling - The Land of the Free

Francis Scott Keys wrote the four stanzas of our national anthem after witnessing the battle for Baltimore at Fort McHenry in 1812. In the early morning light he saw the American flag still proudly raised over the fort; the star-spangled banner waving in the wind over the land of the free. Britain's Royal Navy had not defeated them in the night. Tyranny was not to rule over the home of the brave.
American's are genuinely proud of the freedoms and rights that exist equally for all...well, we are still perfecting them. Most of our citizens and government leaders have thought about external forces that could rob us of what our Creator endowed us with, those "unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." But, until recently, we have given little thought to the threats within our own borders that could again lead to our subjugation, be it to socialism or other events emanating from a devalued dollar.
Similarly, Paul admonished the "foolish" Galatians who lost their freedom by those within their ranks who slyly led them to return to the false security of being under the "Law." How easy it is to be "bewitched" by others who promise freedom for everyone, but instead enslave them by laws which cannot save. It is the person and promise of His Spirit that leads us to freedom. (Galatians 3:1-5)
We, as Americans and Christians, must maintain a commitment to protect the freedoms granted us by our Constitution, not by the control of government, and by Christ, not the Law. Galatians 5:1 is a verse of great liberty, "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."
If you live under an obligation of "works," with a lack of joy in life, and feelings of being powerless and perhaps even guilt-ridden, examine whether or not you have become subservient to the often subtle imposition of the laws of the land, church or conscience.