Many great men and women have fought and lost their lives for our freedom. Most of us are physically free. But have we become liberated or have we allowed the cares of this world to challenge this freedom?

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there’s freedom! To attain this type of liberty we must be set free from the inside out. There’s a price to be paid. If we are willing to pay the cost, which includes reaching for the lost, the measure of our independence surely will be tested.

The Fourth of July exemplifies our independence, which can be great and at times the greatest. Yet this type of freedom is temporary. Without dependence on God our Heavenly Father, it will take all of us down a crowded and fear-filled lonely road.

I have been going into prisons throughout the state of Ohio as a motivational speaker for more than 10 years. On my 42nd birthday, I wanted to do something unique and give back to those who needed a hope that does not disappoint. I have never been locked up physically, but going to jails and prisons to encourage and inspire hope turned out to be a set up by God. How could I connect with “those” people? Through this experience, I discovered that those people are a lot like many of us: locked up, encaged within our own hearts, minds and souls.

To become effective, it took me going into a physical prison to confront my own mental imprisonment. Prison ministry will always be dear to my heart, for this ministry has assisted in literally setting me free. I will admit that it has taken me years to fight through the baggage from my past, but forgiveness unclogged my heart and filtered my mind to reach for a freedom to serve others in love

To attain authentic freedom, we must confront and get real with ourselves, everyday. This liberty takes responsibility for one’s actions and reactions. We know who’s our source and supplier. We rest with assurance knowing who we can trust. We also know that real freedom is from the inside out as we all learn to die daily to selfishness.

If our independence is wrapped around becoming selfless and our sole dependence is on God the Father, then we as people of faith are reaching toward being led by the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there’s liberty!

Keys to living with hope during the Fourth of July:

Confront and get real ... everyday.

Take responsibility for one’s actions and reactions.

Tonya Lee Carrie Fancher is a Motivational speaker and presenter. She can be reached at tonyaleecarriefancher@gmail.com.