Letting Go
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As mentioned in the lesson on Forgiving Yourself, one of the most difficult challenges you will face is to “let go and let God.” Are you having a hard time doing this?
Why do you think it is so hard to let go?
Time to Stop Looking Back
Probably the most difficult part of letting go is that we spend so much of our time living in the past.
In Luke 17:20-37, Jesus was talking about His kingdom. He explained that this kingdom will not come as many have suspected. He then discussed how it was like in the days of Noah, where people rejected the message that God was giving, eating and drinking and marrying until Noah went into the ark. Then the flood came and all of them were destroyed. His point is that many will see the signs, but not recognize them. However, those who do see what is occurring and know that God is doing a great work should continue on that pathway.
Jesus then makes this statement in verse 32: “Remember Lot’s wife.” If you are unfamiliar with the story, Lot was a relative of Abraham, and he, his wife, and his children lived in the city of Sodom. God sent messengers to remove the family from the city before it was destroyed and they were warned to keep moving ahead, and not to look back. However, Lot’s wife could not help herself, looking back at the city as it was destroyed. As a result, she was turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26).
God is not turning you into a pillar of salt for looking back to your old ways. However, you too should remember Lot’s wife. You should remember that always looking back at the wrongs you have done will keep you entrenched, never allowing you to move forward.
Do you find yourself constantly thinking about the wrongs you have committed or looking back to what you had in your former life? How are these things impacting you?
Are you finding it hard to not think about them?
Time to Start Looking Ahead
The writer C. S. Lewis once wrote, “Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.”
You were never intended to be looking back at the wrongs you have committed. Especially if you have turned to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you for your sins. Your sins are over and God wants you to keep moving forward.
Proverbs 4:25-27 explains:
25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
God is calling you to be looking ahead. To keep your eyes fixed on Him.
Why is it hard to fix your eyes on God and the pathway ahead?
It can be a challenge for sure, but God is not asking you to do this on your own. He is with you every step of the way. Philippians 1:6 explains, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
God started a good work in you. However, He has just started. He is not done.
Do you believe that God has just started to work in your life?
What can you do so that God can continue His work in you?
How is God keeping you moving forward, guiding you so you are not looking back?
Put Your Trust in God
There are many passages in the Bible that prompt us to put our trust in God. One you should know is Psalm 62:8, which explains, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”
What does this verse tell us we should do? What does God provide in return?
Do you feel that God is a refuge to you?
In Christ, You Can Let Go
It can be hard to let go, especially in your own strength. Our tendency is to keep looking back. As a result, we get stuck. We never see the blessing God has for us if we keep moving forward.
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
God does not want you looking back, because He has plans for you moving forward. He has plans to make you more successful than you could possibly imagine.
Do you believe that God has plans for you? If so, what do you think He has in store for you?
Do you believe there is a future for you?
What future do you want for yourself? Do you believe that future aligns with what God has planned for you?
Are there things, people, or memories you need to let go of right now so that you can see that future come to pass? Are you prepared to do that?
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