What is True Freedom?

I read this in the Message today and love the way it is written:

Romans 6
'...I'm using this freedom language because it's easy to picture. You can readily recall, can't you, how at one time you did just what you felt like doing-not caring about others, not caring about God-the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God's freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?
As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn't have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end.
But now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God's gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.'

I am really learning a lot about emotions. I know we hear it all the time, not to let your emotions rule you, but my goodness, it can be such test. We have to control our emotions...the good ones, use for encouragement, etc...being sure that we channel those to others around us in order to edify them. Negative ones...control them, don't sin, don't run off at the mouth...just don't say a word. What a challenge for us! If any of you have won this battle, please send me some tips.
I am so thankful to be walking through this right now, it's about time. The passage above can be interpreted to teach us in so many different areas. Today, for me, I am grabbing a hold of, '...not listening to sin tell me what to do.' I may feel angry, frustrated, agitated, etc...those are normal, natural emotions...it is how I handle that. And, I love the part, 'with more and more life on the way'. Amen!! There is more and more life, and life abundantly!!! I will not do what I feel like doing, like complaining or whining...I WILL bother with right thinking and right living--- I want to!! That is TRUE FREEDOM!!!

Oh yea, and guess what...it is not good to be emotionless!!! So, for all of you out there who just sit on it, well...this is for you too. God gave us emotions and they need to be dealt with.

Love you all!
Sandy

*** Hey---good 'ole fashion Chicken -n- Dumplin's is on the menu tonight!! Come on over :)!