Let It Go

This week we are in Chapter 6 “Embrace Forgiveness…Can I know for sure that God has forgiven me?” in our study of Embrace Grace by Liz Curtis Higgs.


Have you ever noticed that sometimes, after confessing our sins to God and receiving His forgiveness, we won’t forgive ourselves?
And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins. Hebrews 8:12, Jeremiah 31:34 NLT
God forgives and chooses not to remember. So, we remind Him.

We carry it around…the weight of guilt and shame.

What God removed, we keep trying to reapply—who we were before, to who we are now.

Of course, we’re human and we can’t forget the way God can, especially if we’re living with the consequences of the past.

But we can let it go.

The enemy loves when we live with guilt and shame. He tries to remind us of the past and drag us back down. And even better for him, is when we do it to ourselves…over and over again.

But when God forgives, He washes us clean, and we get to start over. Every day. Every hour. Even every moment.

Let it go.

Holding on to the past means our hands are full—tightly gripped and clinging to what God has already set free.

But when we release the guilt and the past, our fingers uncurl, maybe one at a time or maybe all at once.

Will you do something with me?

Hold your hands out in front of you with your palms facing up. Clench them into fists and think about something you’ve been holding onto. Something you’ve already asked God’s forgiveness for, but you can’t let it go.

Now, release it to Him. You may want to say it out loud, or quietly to yourself. As you verbally or mentally let it go, unclench your fists and raise your arms up high.

With our hands open and palms facing up, our hands are no longer full. But they are not empty, because God replaces our past with our future.

And with open hands, we have room to receive all He wants to bless us with.

As you release it with your hands, let it go in your heart, too.

With open hands and hearts, we become willing and able to embrace all God has to give.
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. James 1:17a NLT
The temptation may be there to take it back. We know the feel of tightly clenched hands, and the familiarity of who we used to be.

When this happens, I have to go to God and ask Him for the desire and strength to leave it all with Him.

But if, like me, you find you’ve snatched it back again, don’t give up. Make up your mind to let it go, and give it to God again…and again, until you find yourself not wanting to take it from Him anymore.

What in your life do you need to let go?

In Christ,
Laura 
Photo: Woman with Wreath of Flowers in Her Hands – Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

10 comments:

  1. I like the visual of releasing your hands.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  2. So good! I have the hardest time forgiving myself. Thanks for sharing this post!

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  3. Hi Laura, yep, I do this all the time. I ask His forgiveness and I believe He has forgiven me, and then I keep harping on it, reminding Him and myself. Sigh! I suppose the important thing is to recognize it and learn from it and improve the next time. Great post Laura
    God bless
    Tracy

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    1. Thank you Tracy, I always love having you visit and comment. :) All we can do is stay close to God and keep trying. I'm so thankful He doesn't expect us to be perfect!
      Blessings,
      Laura

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  4. I always feel that doing something physically really helps cement the process spiritually. Love this.

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  5. That is a great visual and probably something I'll have to do over and over :) Forgiving myself is almost as hard as forgiving someone else.

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  6. Great Post! I'm new to this blog and I absolutely LOVE IT!

    It is often hard to forgive ourselves. Others forgive us, God forgives us, but we don't forgive ourselves. It's something we must all do. Is to Forgive, and Forget, for we don't need to keep reminding him-even though we like to.

    God Bless
    MIKE

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    1. Thank you Mike, I'm so glad you wandered over to my little space here. Hope to see you visit again.
      In Christ,
      Laura

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  7. Often we hear that we need to forgive others and let go of their offenses against us. We don't often think that forgiving ourselves is required for our walk in Christ to grow, as well! I love Hebrews 8:12! What an encouragement to know that He never remembers our sins again! Thanks for sharing this insightful post!
    Ann @ Christ in the Clouds

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    1. Thank you Ann! So glad to have you visit and leave a comment!
      Blessings,
      Laura

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