Excellent/important question.

Everyone is a slave to sin (which brings just punishment), but God freely offers everyone a way to break those chains and have freedom to live as we were designed.

https://biblehub.com/romans/8-2.htm

It is the heart of freedom, the very core. The basis upon which all other true freedom is built.

'Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'

John 8:34-36

Christianity seems like a constraint, and it is. But, so is the fact that a fish can only live in water.

If the fish tries to swim out of water, it doesn't go well. But, when he does, it is a beautiful thing and he is happy and thrives. He was made for it.

When we accept our constraint, that God's plan is best for us, we are happy and thrive, too. It is our water.