You’ve heard it said a hundred times: “Let go and let God.” To which you have probably replied, “Easier said than done!”
It’s so hard to know what to hold onto in life and what to let go. We are like junk collectors hoping something we hang onto will be a priceless antique – only to find out when the PBS Antique Road Show expert makes his evaluation, it’s just junk after all.
Since it’s hard to determine when to let go in life, we tend to hold onto everything. It’s easier to hold on than to make the mistake of letting go of the wrong thing or letting go at the wrong time. So emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually we hang onto everything. We reason that we may need it someday, so better just keep it.
We pay a heavy price hanging on to things we should let go of. We carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Eventually we become like the camel whose back was broken with a piece of straw. Although the straw was light, it was just one weight too many.
The sad part is that we as Christians don’t have to hold onto much of anything. Christ bears our burdens. (1 Peter 5:7) We can truly let go and let God
What are some things we are hanging onto so tightly that God could carry for us if we would just let go? Is it anger, grief, the past, fear, a broken heart, disappointment, or disillusionment? Or is it dealing with a difficult co-worker, boss, spouse, child, friend, or job situation? Could it be old habits, illness, hate, a grudge, doctrines, depression, sadness, pride, vanity, greed, or turmoil? Or perhaps it’s feelings of hurt, superiority, inferiority, jealous, envy, confusion, frustration, guilt, shame, desperation, hopelessness, or helplessness? Maybe it’s being compulsive or controlling.
The list is endless!
If we turn our troubles over to God, he may not take them all away, but he makes them bearable. (1 Corinthians 10:13) After all, sometimes God calms the storm, but sometimes the storm rages and he calms the child. As a child of God, either way, we benefit.
Only God can give us peace. This peace from God is what makes life bearable. However, we can never have it, if we don’t let go.
