What does it really mean to be free? Freedom. Just hearing that word sends our minds in so many different directions. For some, freedom means breaking away from chains, bondage, or the walls of a prison. For others, it might be riding a bicycle down a quiet country lane, cruising through the Black Hills on a Harley, or sneaking out of work early to head to the beach! You get it. We all have our own pictures of freedom, and each of us has experienced moments when we felt free.
But over the years, I’ve come to realize that true freedom has less to do with where we are or what we’re doing and much more to do with where we place our trust and how we choose to live. Freedom involves more than having fewer restrictions or responsibilities. There is freedom in living with purpose, making wise decisions, and experiencing the joy God intended for us. Sometimes, the greatest lessons about that freedom come from those closest to us.
“Never let anyone steal your joy.”
My wife, Gail, has shared a few words of wisdom with our children over the years that have naturally influenced my own life: “Never let anyone steal your joy.” I’ve thought about those words many times, particularly when facing difficult people, challenging circumstances, or situations that simply don’t turn out the way I had hoped. I’ve often connected freedom with joy because I believe the two are closely related. There is a peace that comes with knowing that someone else’s opinions, attitudes, or actions do not have to determine how we live.That doesn’t mean everything is perfect or that we won’t encounter disappointment. It means we recognize that we have a responsibility for how we respond. We can allow bitterness, resentment, and frustration to take root, or we can bring our struggles before God and ask Him to help us respond with faith and grace. That may take time, prayer, and support from others, but we don’t have to remain trapped in every hurt we experience.Think about how easily we sometimes allow another person’s words or actions to influence our day. Someone disappoints us, treats us unfairly, questions our intentions, or simply says something that rubs us the wrong way. Before we know it, we’re frustrated, discouraged, or angry, and we carry those feelings into our next conversation, our workplace, or even our homes. A difficult moment can begin to influence people and relationships that had nothing to do with what happened.Gail’s reminder has always challenged me to consider how much control I am willing to give others over my attitude and outlook. We cannot prevent every hurtful interaction or difficult experience, and there are certainly circumstances that require us to grieve, confront wrongdoing, or seek help. Protecting our joy does not mean ignoring those realities. It means remembering where our hope comes from as we work through them. Our joy is worth caring for, especially when life becomes difficult.
Finding Joy Through Faith
As you reflect on these thoughts, I encourage you to watch the message from Max Lucado shared below.
Take a few moments away from the demands of the day to consider your own relationship with God, the burdens you may be carrying, and the place joy has in your life. For me, these questions lead back to an important truth: we can trust God with the things we cannot control while taking responsibility for the choices He has placed before us.
A message on faith, freedom, and joy.
Freedom Comes with Responsibility
We live in a culture where freedom is often understood as the ability to do whatever we want, whenever we want, without interference or accountability. Yet our choices affect our own lives and the lives of those around us. Consider something as simple as driving a car. We enjoy the freedom of traveling wherever the road takes us, but that freedom exists within a framework of rules designed to protect everyone sharing the road. Imagine what would happen if every driver decided that traffic signals, speed limits, and basic expectations for safety no longer applied. The same need for wisdom and responsibility exists in our personal lives, our families, our workplaces, and the organizations we lead.
God’s Word provides guidance for how we exercise the freedom we have been given. His instruction helps us make decisions, build relationships, honor commitments, and live with purpose. Galatians 5:13 reminds us that we are called to freedom and that we should use that freedom to serve one another humbly in love rather than indulge selfish desires. What a wonderful reminder that the choices before us are opportunities to care for others.
We have been blessed with the ability to pursue opportunities, develop our God-given talents, and enjoy the many blessings placed before us. Those opportunities also require wisdom, discipline, humility, and an understanding that our decisions have consequences. Following God’s direction helps us recognize which choices will strengthen our lives and which may lead us into unnecessary hurt.
Freedom and Faith Driven Leadership
I believe this principle is equally important in leadership and organizational life. Throughout my career in human resources, I’ve observed that some of the healthiest organizations are those where individuals understand both the freedom they have to contribute and the responsibilities that accompany it. Employees thrive when they are trusted, encouraged to use their talents, and given opportunities to make meaningful contributions. Clear expectations, accountability, and shared values help make that possible.
Leaders have a significant influence on the atmosphere of a workplace. When we carry unresolved frustration into our conversations, react harshly to disappointment, or allow every disagreement to become personal, our people feel it. When we respond thoughtfully, address concerns fairly, and treat people with dignity, we help create an environment where they can flourish. This is one of the principles I emphasize through Faith Driven HR: our faith should influence how we lead, how we treat others, and how we exercise the responsibilities God has entrusted to us.
Our faith should be reflected in how we lead and how we treat others.
The same is true in our personal relationships. We are responsible for honoring our commitments and considering the needs of others. Some of the greatest expressions of freedom come when we willingly choose to serve, extend forgiveness, and demonstrate grace even when doing so is difficult. Forgiveness can release us from carrying an offense into every new day. Gratitude can help us recognize blessings we have overlooked. Prayer can remind us that we have somewhere to take the concerns that keep us awake at night.
None of these choices guarantees an easy life or eliminates disappointment and hardship. However, they help us build a foundation of peace rooted in our relationship with Christ. We can experience joy during seasons that challenge our patience, test our faith, and stretch our understanding. Sometimes that joy is quiet—a steady assurance that God is with us even while we are waiting for answers.
Protecting the Joy God Has Given Us
As I reflect on Gail’s words, I keep coming back to the relationship between freedom, responsibility, and joy. We cannot control every person, every situation, or every outcome. We will encounter people who disappoint us, decisions we disagree with, and circumstances we wish we could change. But we can seek God’s help in determining how those experiences shape our attitudes, influence our decisions, and affect the people around us.
I have learned that allowing resentment or frustration to dominate my thoughts rarely changes the circumstances that caused them. More often, it takes away from the peace I could experience and the attention I could give to the people who need me. There is tremendous freedom in recognizing that we do not have to carry every offense, win every argument, or control every outcome. Sometimes the wisest thing we can do is trust God, respond with grace, and move forward.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:36 (NIV)
What a powerful promise. Our ultimate freedom is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Professional accomplishments, possessions, and personal independence all have their limits. Christ gives us a hope we can carry through changing circumstances and a foundation upon which we can build our lives.
I encourage you to take a few more moments to reflect on Max Lucado’s video and these difficult questions in your own life. Are you allowing circumstances or the actions of others to diminish your joy? Is there a burden you need to bring before God? Are you exercising the freedoms you’ve been given in ways that honor Him and encourage those around you? These are important questions for all of us, whether we are leading an organization, raising a family, serving in ministry, or navigating the challenges of everyday life.
My prayer is that we would have the wisdom to make good choices, the courage to follow God’s direction, and the faith to find joy along the way. We have all been given opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others, and how we exercise our freedom matters. May we use it to encourage, serve, forgive, and demonstrate the love of Christ in everything we do.
And remember Gail’s words, words that have influenced our family for many years: “Never let anyone steal your joy.” Guard it, treasure it, and remember where true freedom comes from. May we approach each new day with renewed faith, a grateful heart, and the determination to protect the joy God has given us.
Building Organizations Where People Can Flourish
At IHN HR, we believe faith should influence more than what we believe. It should shape how we lead, how we treat others, and how we care for the people God has entrusted to us. When organizations embrace these principles, they create workplaces where employees are respected, leaders are accountable, and people have opportunities to flourish.
Whether you’re leading a Christian-owned business, ministry, church, or Christian educational institution, we would welcome the opportunity to help you build an organization where your faith is reflected in your people practices.
Every organization is different. If you have an HR challenge, leadership need, or simply want to strengthen your organization, we would welcome the conversation.
