Karen 'Girl' FridayThere Are No Chains on Me

There Are No Chains on Me

There are no chains on me—not anymore.

There was a time when I allowed things that happened to me to become chains. And even what I believed about myself formed chains in my life. Perhaps you are familiar with these invisible but weighty forms of chains—fear, shame, rejection, disappointment, guilt, and the past.

We might carry chains for so long, we forget God meant for us to live in freedom.

But along the way, I encountered Jesus in a way that changed everything.

Yes, salvation gave me forgiveness of my sins. But Jesus also came to set captives free, heal broken hearts, give me a new identity, and teach me how to walk in the freedom He purchased for me. The things that once defined me no longer have the authority to determine who I am or where I’m going.

I’m not saying I never struggle. I’m saying my struggles don’t own me. My past doesn’t own me. My failures don’t own me. Fear doesn’t own me. Shame doesn’t own me. Sin doesn’t have the final say over my life.

Jesus does.

So let’s look at how Jesus breaks our C.H.A.I.N.S.

There are no chains on me because I've encountered the One who breaks chains. The Chain-breaker. Jesus Christ. Share on X

C — Captivity Is Cancelled

What once held me captive no longer has ownership over me.

Luke 4:18 — Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives.
Romans 6:14 — “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (ESV)

I may have a history of bondage, but I have a present-day freedom through Christ.

H — Healed from Hurt: No Chains on Me

Some chains form through wounds, rejection, disappointment, and painful experiences. Jesus doesn’t just forgive our sin; He cares about our broken places.

Psalm 147:3 — The Lord heals the brokenhearted.
Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” (ESV)

What hurt me doesn’t have to hold me.

A — Authority Has Changed

Before Christ, sin was our master. But Christ transfers us into a new kingdom with Him as Lord.

Colossians 1:13 — “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” (ESV)
Romans 6:12–13 — Don’t let sin reign in your mortal body.

The enemy may still fight me, but he doesn’t have to win the battle. Jesus fights for me.

I — Identity Is New: No Chains on Me

Freedom begins when we stop allowing our past to define us.

2 Corinthians 5:17 — A new creation in Christ.
Galatians 2:20 — I am crucified with Christ.

I don’t have to answer to the name my past gave me. God has given me a new identity. I take my cue about who I am from the Great I AM.

N — No Condemnation

Guilt and shame can become invisible chains, but Christ has removed condemnation from those who belong to Him.

Romans 8:1 — “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)
1 John 1:9 — God forgives and cleanses us from unrighteousness.

Conviction draws me back to God; condemnation tells me to run away. I don’t have to live under condemnation.