Letting Go

As we walk with the Lord, we will face different challenges. Some of these challenges may seem overwhelming even impossible. A lot of the challenges we face are things that God wants us to let go of. We, on the other hand, want to hold on to them very tightly. This creates friction and conflict in the life of a believer. Don't think you can do what you want and God will just submit and give up. God is undefeated, he does not lose. Now, we can spend our lives fighting God, holding on to these things and live in utter misery or we can let them go and have victory. The more I walk with the Lord, the more I understand the importance of having victory. Getting beaten down is not fun. God will keep doing this until you submit or die. This sounds like serious business, that's because it is. If there is sin in your life that God wants out, he will make sure you suffer for it. A big one for me these days is unforgiveness. I hold on to old hurts, and grudges, and bitterness, and hatred. God will keep reminding me of these things, enraging me in the process. I would get so mad at God, and ask him why are you doing this to me? Simple, he wants me to forgive these people. Easier said than done. Let me tell you, these people did me wrong big time. To this day I have such rage towards these people. It is like a cancer that eats at my soul. It literally drains the life out of me. I let my unforgiveness get so out of control, that it started taking over my life. It has robbed me of my joy, my peace, and my hope. This is exactly what God wants. He does not want Christians to be content with getting revenge or having the last word. To get one over on their enemy or see something horrible happen to them.

Romans 12

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Do not take it upon yourself to repay someone that has wronged you. That is Gods job, and he will do a better job than any person can do. Instead he wants you to forgive them. Holding on to hate does nothing, but destroy you. I have heard the saying that holding on to resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die. Forgiving people sets you free from all of that misery and heart ache that consumes you. It pleases God when you forgive others. The only way anyone can enter heaven is through Gods forgiveness. We are all guilty sinners worthy of death, but by Gods grace and forgiveness are we allowed into heaven. We can not expect God to be ok with us being unforgiving in our own lives. He will make sure we suffer for it.

I know a lot of you are asking, but how do I forgive and let go? I asked the same question. The answer is through the Holy Spirit. He is our guide here on earth and has all the answers. We must go to him in prayer and ask him what we need to do. This will take time, Gods wheels grind slow so to speak. Keep coming back, several times a day if need be. The answers will start coming. They may show up in unlikely places. Over time, you will start to get an idea of what God wants from you, in regards to this matter. For me, it has been every time I think about these people, instead of getting angry, I say "Lord help me to forgive this person, I don't have the strength to do it on my own." This brings relief, but it often doesn't last, because a few minutes later I am thinking about that person again. I just keep doing the same thing. You have to be on the ball with this stuff.

I Peter 5

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The devil is always trying to steal a believers peace! He will back off and then come back even harder. God will allow this, to get you to the place where he wants you. Stay vigilant and just do as the Holy Spirit has instructed. Over time this will bring peace.

Philippians 4

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This peace is impossible to achieve on your own. Believe me I tried every thing I could think of. It was only a temporary fix. The root of a lot of these issues that we hold onto is pride. Pride will destroy you, if you let it. It can ruin relationships, your reputation, your joy, your peace, your entire life. There are people right now serving life sentences in prison, because pride got the best of them. So many lives have been ruined, because of stubborn pride. Pride got Satan cast out of heaven. God hates pride.

Proverbs 6

16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Notice the first thing on the list is pride. If you are going to walk with the Lord and have that peace that surpasses all understanding, you must kill pride. Pray over this issue, if you are having a difficult time in your life. Let the holy spirit minister to you, and set you free from this issue. There may be other things in your life that God wants you to let go of. To find that out, you must go to him in prayer and ask him what he wants eliminated from your life. He will let you know through his various methods. The best way to live your life, is to find out what Gods will for you is, and obey it. You will experience all the peace and joy that the world is so desperately clamoring to find. Submit yourself to God and let go of the things of this world that just drag you down. I hope this was a blessing to you, and I will leave you with the only way to heaven, the gospel.

I Corinthians 15

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: