This post is part of a series of core Christian principles for new believers. For more, visit the series archive.
Learn to master the art of 'letting go' in this important step towards maturity.
Why is my growth declining?
Since becoming a believer, you've learned a great deal and have applied that knowledge, but now things changed. You have exhausted every resource, yet you're at a standstill.
Maybe you're not as passionate as you use to be?
Or your faith is continually being tested, and you're not passing?
Perhaps you feel like God's blessings have slowed down?
Growth struggles like these can be real for many believers.
Sometimes, roadblocks arise in our Christian walk to slow us down, usually caused by God or ourselves.
They exist because something needs to be fixed before moving forward spiritually.
The more we read God's Word, we'll begin to see the flaws deep down in our souls and next develop the desire to improve them.
"But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." - 2 Cor. 3:18 (NASB)
The Word of God is our mirror, honestly revealing areas that need to be corrected.
We can only adjust ourselves, not the mirror(scripture).
So take time to self-reflect because those blemishes could be an unresolved problem from the past or a hindering ego.
Fortunately, you wouldn't be able to graduate into maturity until these issues are confronted.
Why should I let go of the past?
One popular reason many people struggle with letting go of their past is due to forgiveness.
Forgiveness or the lack thereof is such a powerful force in your spiritual life, so mastering it is key.
It can significantly affect you physically (tension and ailments), emotionally (stress and anxiety), and spiritually (blocking fellowship with God). [Matt. 5:23-24]
Unforgiveness is a heavy burden that you may carry around unaware, causing major delays in your Christian walk.
The great news is that forgiveness is a choice, not an uncontrollable feeling!
You can release what is hurting you by giving it to God in prayer.
Find the root of bitterness, pull it out, and let it go.
The Forgiveness Test
Genuine Forgiveness
You don't bring up the issue to that person, to yourself, or God.
You can accept the offender without a desire to change them.
You have a greater concern for their needs than your own.
Toxic Unforgiveness
You can't let the offender get away with hurting you.
You replay the incident over again.
Your feelings towards them are constantly negative.
How to deal:
Talk to God, being completely transparent and open about the situation. Ask God to forgive them for their actions, then you forgive them and move forward. [Matt. 18:21-22]
Any sin left unaddressed can cause you to backslide in life.
You can not hide it or make excuses; simply acknowledge it exists and respond to it according to scripture.
God will give you His strength to overcome it, and when that happens, He'll promote you.
How do I surrender myself?
Surrender = to yield to the power, control, or possession of another.
You must decide that your wants and desires are not more important than God's, so you'll put them aside in order to follow Him.
"Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.." - James 4:7 (NASB)Surrendering to God has everything to do with your future choices and giving them up.
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of submission and surrendering.
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" - John 6:38 (NASB)Jesus knew His purpose was to die for the sins of this world, but He didn't know exactly how everything would unfold. Yet, He chose to believe in God's Words and trust in His plan by following it, even unto death.
In Gethsemane, Jesus said, 'Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” [Mark 14:36].
Could you imagine where we would all be if Jesus used His time on Earth to be self-serving, as most of us do? We would be hopeless without our savior!
Thank you, Lord, for setting aside temporary pleasures to surrender your entire life over to the will of God: The Father!
Our lives play a major role in the plan of God, and if we chose to corporate, then we could bless the future generations, just as Jesus did.
5 Steps to Surrender:
Realize that you are not in complete control; God is.
Admit that you need His help to guide your life.
Trust that God has an ultimate plan for everyone.
Chose to completely corporate in it by obeying the scriptures.
Pray that His will be done in your life.
The daily commitment to these steps means you're surrendering your future self to the will of God.
How to let go of the world?
Letting go of the world is so vital because your hanging with the enemy!
When you are around a group of people, only two things can happen. Either you will influence them, or they will influence you.
The majority will always win, so stop following them and follow Christ.
"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world."
- 1 John 2:15-16 (NASB)Let go of the things in life that go against God. It could be an unethical church, carnal friends, negative family members, and even backsliding Christians.
When you were apart of this world before Christ, imagine yourself as a caterpillar.
You crawled like a caterpillar, ate caterpillar food, and hung out with other caterpillars.
Becoming a Christian transformed you into a butterfly, the next level in your life.
You're no longer a slave to the ground because you can fly.
You eat the Word of God instead of dirt.
And now you have a new family that's on the same path.
But ultimately, it is your choice to reach your maximum potential with God or return to your old ways.
"...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Cor. 5:17 (ESV)Ask yourself:
Do I love the world more than I love God?
Is my career, family, or money more important than my relationship with the Creator?
Can I commit to giving my life over to Christ, who gave up His for me?
Whatever your answer is, it will be recorded in the book of life.
The Lord delights in those who choose Him over the world. It might be challenging at first, but you won't regret it in the long run. So choose Him every time!
Scriptures:
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." - 2 Cor. 5:10 (ESV)
Songs:
"Help me let You go
Help me give up control
Of the god I've made You
When my fear has contained You..."
'I Surrender' by V. Rose
"All to Jesus I surrender all
To Thee I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence, daily, live, yeah..."
Sermons:
Forgiving Ourselves (25 mins)
Forgiving One Another II (25 mins)
Are you in bondage and don't realize it? You'll never be free until you forgive others for the wrongs they've done, and forgiven ourselves for the wrongs we've committed.
Letting go of our past life is hard but necessary in maturity; now we can take [Step 14] Growing in knowledge.
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