Just let go.
Has anyone ever said that to you? It can be hard to hear, especially when you’ve been trying to let go for a long time.
In our study scriptures, Simon let go of a lot of things.
He let go of excuses.
He let go of “how it’s always been.”
He let go of the cultural definition of success.
He let go of his view of religion.
He let go of the familiar to follow Jesus.
That’s a lot of letting go.
Do you sense God saying, “Let go, sweet daughter?”
Maybe the biggest problem you’ve had with letting go is that you don’t know what it means.
Letting go is giving up what is beyond your control to embrace what you can.
You can’t control unexpected circumstances or change, but you do have influence over the way you view life in the midst of it.
You can’t control negative people, but you do have influence as you choose joy.
You can’t control or change your past, but you do have influence as you move toward healing whether anyone else signs up or not.
These are the places where God works in us big.
Can you truly let go?
With this definition, yes you can!
Suzie
Write down what you have been trying to control.
Q: Which of these cannot be controlled by you? (It might be a person, a situation, an unexpected change in health, a move, your past, etc.)
Q: Describe how trying to control things out of your control creates frustration?
Now, list those things that are within your influence.
Q: What might change as you focus on those only?
To read the first chapter of The Mended Heart free, please click here.
Most of the things we think we can control, are really outside the realm of our ability to control. We only get to control two things… what we decide to believe / do in regards to Christ and whether or not we choose to be led by His Spirit through this life, or go our own way. Everything else.. including the outcomes has never really been anything we can or should control. The good news is that there is great freedom in finally realizing that the outcomes are not, and have never been our responsibility, but in the realm of God’s control, not ours. Think about it… most of the bad decisions we have made, have been made when we were not under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, or not actively asking for God’s guidance and wisdom… and even then, God promises to work everything for our good, if we fear (reverence / respect) Him.
This is so timely. And of course it is. Why do I expect any less from a God that loves me enough to hear my prayer for help? I have just ended a relationship that has been taking me further away from where/who/what God created me to be. God never wants me to doubt His love for and commitment to me. I am letting go of:
1. The pain and devastation of the relationship
2. The doubts regarding my worth and value as a woman and child of God
3. My desire to give up
Amen!
Cheryl,
So true! I too am letting go of a painful, devastating relationship (long-term marriage) and trying desparately to let go of my self-defeating thoughts regarding my worth and value as a child of God.
I’m also trying to let go of allowing other people’s actions to have control over my emotions. It’s a long, hard journey but God is near, always present when we look for Him.
I’m praying for you.
Thank you for this! I needed it. Thank you for allowing God to use you to relay a word to women struggling in this area!
Suzie, I could not agree with Cheryl more — this is so timely! This morning I have struggle with giving up things in my life, such as relationships, my past, doubts, and fears. Thank you for allowing God to speak to me through you! 🙂
Great thoughts about letting go today, Suzie. There is plenty in my life (and my past) I still need to let go of…and somedays it seems like I let them go only to pick them back up again. It’s a process for me and you are right, it’s a choice. A choice I need to be more intentional of making. Thank you for the reminder today and the encouragement to JUST LET GO. xoxo, Meredith
Isn’t it how funny how we pick up what is not our burden to carry. It almost diminishes the gift of the cross as we go back and reburden our hearts with regret, when we are called to allow Him to turn that regret into redemption.
Your comment is so honest and I love what I hear in it. Put it down, Meredith. And one day when you pass it and there’s a temptation to pick it up again, remind yourself of what it really is: a burden. One that God has already carried for you.
I have been feeling lately that my heart is broken. The other day at church I heard God tell me that he was breaking down my heart to rebuild it. I’ve had a lot of heartache in my life but I really believe God is working to rebuild all that. i have mistakes I’ve made that i haven’t been able to forgive myself for. I feel God is working hard right now to bring me peace. But letting go is hard. I’ve uttered the words let go and let God a million times in my life, but I’ve never been good at letting go. It’s a new thing for me. Today I needed this devotion. Thank you!
Hey Tammie, there are no scriptures in the entire Bible that lay the burden of forgiving ourselves on us alone. He asks us to receive the gift of forgiveness, to truly embrace that when He forgives it is as far removed from Him as the East is from the West. Perhaps that is the shift in focus that will begin your freedom today. To let go of what you cannot do on your own to receive what He says He gives to you freely. Let.it.go. <3 <3
Letting go, and giving things to God is something I have to re-do every day. It helps when I pray to lift my hands up and imagine handing these things (and people) to Him. Oh, how we cling to things. Beautiful photo too. Loved it!
I love that image of holding our hands up to Him and letting go.
Kim, I so agree and your post made me think of the things I am trying to control. The mistakes I have made were when I have not been walking wih the Lord. But God has forgiven me for those choices. Today I ive with my mother-in-law and some days are really hard. Howevery, I can control what I say and how I respond to her and the situatio. I haven’t been doing that very well. But Kim like you said there is great freedom in knowing that God’s job is the outcome, my job is faithfulness. He is faithful. Great is his faithfulness and His mercies are new every morning.
I realize that we can’t control other people and I realize that I have been trying to control my family by trying to make them want me around. I realize that if they don’t want me in their lives I cannot do anything about it. I am just happy that God has shone me the light. That trying to control situations is all wrong. I pray that God will keep all of us in his prayers and someday …just maybe it will all work out for the best.