June 23: A Special Day to Let Go and Let God

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What do you intend to release from your life on Friday, June 23? National Let It Go Day is the perfect time to purge your life of negativity to make room for more positivity and uplifting grace. Dedicate this special day to getting out of your own way and stepping out of the shadow you’re casting over your life. Use it to align more fully with God’s plans for your constantly unfolding future by surrendering the things holding you back:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Surrender Unhealthy Attachments

Are there toxic people or unhealthy relationships dragging you down? Do you engage in self-destructive behavior patterns that you know drain you of vital life energy? Perhaps you are overly attached to material possessions, money, or your reputation. Whether the burden that’s holding you back is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, offer the whole situation to God with an act of your will while contemplating the promise of Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Grudges and Grievances

Nursing resentments toward others who have harmed or hurt us is human nature. However, Leviticus 19:18 advises, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” When we refuse to extend forgiveness to another, we keep ourselves in bondage. Sometimes we confuse forgiving with excusing or condoning the offense, which is not accurate. Forgiveness is an act that releases us from being controlled by the situation or person that has hurt us. On Let It Go Day, release to God any right to restitution for perceived wrongs against you. Acknowledge that He is the Judge and entrust Him with the resolution and outcome of the offense. In doing so, you make healing your own soul possible and return to a more peaceful inner alignment.

Release Regrets and Guilt

If your mind tortures you with a constant litany of “shoulda, coulda, woulda,” it’s time to release to God your regrets over paths not taken, words left unsaid, or words said that should have remained unspoken. If you feel you need forgiveness for a past sin of commission or omission, confess your transgressions to God. Trust Him to be a kind, loving, and merciful Father who welcomes you back into restored unity with Him. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)

Don’t Forget Self-forgivenes

Sometimes the heaviest burden we carry is our inability to forgive ourselves for our perceived imperfections and mistakes. In a great piece on self-forgiveness for The Association of Biblical Counselors, Leslie Vernick writes that our emotional pain is not so much caused by our sins and failures, but by our unrealistic expectations of ourselves and our lack of acceptance when we mess up. Vernick maintains that self-acceptance is the way out of the painful and often debilitating regret spiral: “Before someone can experientially accept God’s grace, she must emotionally (not merely intellectually) accept who she is. . . She is a creature: one who is called both saint and sinner, beautiful and broken.”

Let Go and Let God

On June 23, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you.” (Psalm 55:22)

If you’d like to learn more about the biblically based, Christ-centered education at Geneva, we’d love to explore the possibilities with you. For more information on how Geneva College can help you pursue your career goals, please phone us at 855-979-5563 or email web@geneva.edu.

Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.

Jun 23, 2017

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