Letting Go

What are we truly holding on too? What is the one thing that is so hard for us to let go? Do we even realize the significance of releasing?

I have found myself on numerous occasions thinking I was past something when I wasn’t. In my mind I’m doing well in that area, until a triggering situation happens. Then it feels like it’s back to square one. However each one of those situations will push me to where I need to be.  Blessed is the man that endure the temptation for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him (James 1:12).

I've also learned that with letting go comes a form of grief. Even though, we don’t always look at it like that, it can be apart of the process. Anytime we lose a person, place or thing - in a way we mourn. We are coming to grip the realization of something not being apart of our life. It’s completely normal to feel these emotions. It’s hard to accept what you thought was supposed to be is not what it’s going to be. We have to remember whatever outcome God decides to happen for us was the best. All the pain, hurt and sleepless nights mattered to God. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Even though our loss may be painful for us, God knows how amazing the gain will feel. Sometimes things we go through had to happen the way they did. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We can question God all we want, but at the end of the day he does everything with purpose. There are many devices in a man’s heart; Nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand (Proverbs 19:21).

Letting go requires acceptance. Accepting that a release needs to be made. The times where I feel sadness over something that I lost or when things didn’t go my way, I immediately gave it to God. I say, “Lord I give you ___” or “God, I give you this feeling of _____,” and peace starts to settle in. I also try to remember that these feelings are only making me stronger. It’s in these moments that I can recognize who God is. People in the world don’t have God to get through these seasons of life. That’s why they turn to temporary things to bring them "peace" such as people, drugs, alcohol, money and even suicide. However as children of God, we are already granted the prince of peace eternally . All it takes is our faith and discipline to walk in it. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

I don’t want anything to hinder what God has planned for me. The very things that we are holding on too could be the reason that we are not going forward. Sometimes release needs to be done in order to get to the next step. I know it’s easier said than done, but you shouldn’t want to stay stuck in the past. A lot of us want our cake and eat it too- we want the things of our past to be present in our future. However when God says no, there shouldn’t be a debate. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Take a look at Matthew 19:16-28. This passage is about a young ruler who wanted to know how to inherit eternal life. When Jesus told him to sell all his possessions to the poor, the young man was sad! I’m sure there are many things that we cherish and want to keep forever, but those things are nowhere worth compared to a life with Jesus. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7). Then at the end of the passage it says And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother or wife, or children, or lands, for my names sake shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Therefore don’t think that letting go will not benefit you, because greater is at the end. We can’t live a new life with old ways. Letting go of who we used to be and the things we associated with can require a lot of change. The only way possible to get it done is through Jesus Christ. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up my cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24). There should be a reverence to not want to disappoint God by going back to our old habits. Although we all make mistakes, there is a difference between sinning willingly and sinning unwillingly. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17). Also remember who God is- He has done way too much for us to go back into what He brought us out of!

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26). So once again I ask you, what are you truly holding on too?

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us

Isaiah 43:18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old

Mark 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse