In a world constantly measuring success by performance, status, and perfection, Interior Freedom by Jacques Philippe offers a profound invitation: step off the hamster wheel of self-doubt and live in the grace of who you really are—loved, flawed, and deeply desired by God. He reminds us that true freedom is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of peace within it.
The deepest prisons are often not external. They live in our minds and hearts—in our self-condemnation, unprocessed pain, fear of failure, and relentless comparisons. But what if that inner confinement could be broken by a different kind of strength? Not our own, but God’s. Zechariah 4:6 reminds us: “Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord.
Here are four key steps to experiencing interior freedom from self-doubt and undesirable circumstances:
- Acceptance of Self
Philippe writes, “The right attitude toward God is acceptance of ourselves and our weaknesses, as well as an immense desire for holiness.”
This isn’t resignation or denial. It’s humility. It’s saying yes to the truth of our humanity—our limitations, wounds, even our sins—not to excuse them, but to stop hiding from them. Because what we don’t accept, we cannot surrender. And what we don’t surrender, God cannot transform.
Self-rejection is one of the greatest obstacles to grace. We so often react harshly to our mistakes, spiral into guilt, and resist the idea that our weakness could be a place of encounter with God’s grace and love. But Jesus tells us, “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Freedom begins when we admit that we are poor and allow God to love us there.
Philippe puts it this way: “We must accept ourselves just as we are if the Holy Spirit is to change us for the better.”
- Acceptance of Your Circumstances
One of the most radical truths in Interior Freedom is that peace is not found in changing our situation, but in embracing it.
“One of the most essential conditions for God’s grace to act in our lives is saying yes to what we are and to the situations in which we find ourselves.”
This doesn’t mean becoming passive. It means cooperating with the Holy Spirit now, not once everything improves. When we resist the reality of our circumstances—waiting for the “perfect” moment to feel peace—we block the very grace that could meet us in the middle of the mess.
The only place God can meet you is here. And His love is not postponed until you get it all together. Even your pain, your waiting, your limitations—these can become altars where heaven touches earth.
- Acceptance of God’s Grace and Love
Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But many of us are trying to love others from a place of emptiness because we haven’t yet received that love ourselves. You cannot give what you refuse to receive.
Philippe writes: “God’s love is infinitely more powerful than anything we can do by our own efforts.”
When we finally give ourselves permission to be loved as we are, we stop striving and start surrendering. We begin to believe Isaiah 43:4: “You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.”
This love gives us the freedom to be sinners—not the freedom to sin without care, but the freedom to not be crushed by our sin. As Philippe says, “We have the right to be poor, the right to be what we are. God knows our weaknesses.”
This kind of grace doesn’t coddle us. It frees us. It sends us running back to the Father like the prodigal son—not groveling in shame, but confident that God’s love is always bigger than our bad choices. David was a man after God’s own heart. He had more confidence in the grace of God than in his inability to avoid temptation. In spite of denying that he knew Jesus, Peter was determined to reconnect with Jesus’ love for Him. The only difference between Peter and Judas is that Peter sought after and received the Lord’s love and forgiveness and Judas didn’t. Perhaps Peter knew deep down that Jesus love was bigger than his weakness and fear and Judas thought his weakness and fear was bigger than Jesus’ love for him. Where do you stand on this?
- Desire for Holiness
Acceptance is not the end. It’s the beginning. It births in us a deep, Spirit-filled desire to grow closer to God—not from self-rejection, but from knowing oneself to beloved of God.
Philippe describes it as “an immense desire for holiness and a strong determination to progress based on limitless trust in God’s grace.”
This is a radical redefinition of spiritual maturity: Not achieving perfection but increasing in trust. Not striving to earn love but responding to it. And knowing that every step of progress is a gift, not a trophy.
Holiness is not becoming someone else—it’s becoming fully yourself, in Christ, with Christ and through Christ. And that journey begins with desire.
In summary, Interior Freedom is possible. Not by erasing our weaknesses or escaping our lives, but by learning to let God into them. His grace flows not to the image we present, but to the reality we accept. And that’s where transformation begins.
Action Steps: How to Live This Out Today
- Practice honest self-acceptance. Journal one area of weakness or failure you tend to hide. Offer it to God without justification.
- Reflect on your circumstances. Where are you resisting reality right now? Where might God be inviting you to say yes to what is?
- Receive God’s love daily. Meditate on Isaiah 43:4. Speak it out loud over yourself. Let the truth of your belovedness sink in.
- Ask for the desire for holiness. You don’t have to manufacture it. Simply pray, “God, give me the desire to desire you.”
- Confess and return quickly. Don’t waste time in self-punishment. Run back to the Father like the prodigal son. He’s waiting.
You are not your self-doubts. You are not your worst moment. You are a beloved child of God. And the door to interior freedom is open—because the Father is running toward you with love.
Let Him meet you where you are. That’s where your freedom begins.
Listen to Edge God In Podcast: Summer Reads: How to Get Internal Freedom
Emotional Intelligence in Christ (EIC) Thought: Freedom in Christ is the result of knowing oneself to be loved by God, just as you are along with a willingness to be led to where God wants you to be.
Lauren E Miller, M.Ed, MSC, ICF-PCC
As a stress relief expert, award winning author, motivational speaker, HRD trainer, Edge God In podcast host, and certified executive and life coach, Lauren facilitates fun process driven programs with guidance, support and accountability creating positive sustainable behavioral change in business and personal life.
Lauren has worked in youth and adult ministries for over 30 years. Through God’s mercy, grace and strength, she uses her experience simultaneously conquering two of life’s top stressors: cancer and divorce to help others destress and successfully move through challenges.
Happily, remarried and gratefully enjoying life in Colorado with a loving husband, three grown children and two grandchildren, Lauren is often found in the kitchen dancing to her favorite worship music or rolling around on the floor with her two dogs.
Lauren holds a Masters in Adult Education with a Certification in Human Resources Development | Advanced Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Basic & Master Certification | Faculty Shift Leadership Training | Master Sherpa Executive Coach (MSC) and ICF Certification PCC | 2nd degree blackbelt World Tae Kwon Do
Lauren has produced 8 CD’s and five 3 minute/30 day Audio/Visual Personal Excellence/Wellness Programs. She has authored 9 books, 3 of which are Award Winning:
- Hearing His Whisper…with every storm Jesus comes too
- 99 Things You Want To Know Before Stressing Out!
- Stop Letting the World Be the Boss of You! 25 Solutions to Refresh Your Identity in Christ
Edge God In Podcast: http://EdgeGodIn.com
