Learning How to Let it Go

Last Sunday I preached a message entitled "Learning How to Let it Go".  Many of our people were traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday and were not able to attend.  That message is now available on our website at www.theharborworshipcenter.org.  I would like to mention some of the highlights of that message here.

First, let me say, that everyone of us has been hurt at some time in our lives, some more than others, some with deeper wounds.  However, just because we've been hurt in life that doesn't mean that we can never have joy and fulfillment for the rest of our lives.  In order for us to go on with our lives and achieve any level of satisfaction we must learn to let it go.  We must let go of that hurt, that shame, that abuse, that maltreatment, whatever it is that has held us captive for so long, it must be released and let go of before we can move on.

1. Choose to let it go not because it feels right, but because it is right!  If you wait to forgive someone until you feel like it you may never forgive that person.  We don't operate based on our feelings, but we operate on the facts, and the fact is that it is the right thing to do--so forgive.  Jesus felt so strongly about this that He said that if you come to the altar to offer your gift and remember that a brother has ought against you, you are to lay your gift down at the altar and go make things right with your brother, then come back and offer your gift.  Notice that Jesus didn't say, "if you have something against your brother", but He said, "if you remember that your brother has something against you".  He is indicating here that it is the Christians responsibility to initiate the first steps toward making things right, and we are to do so whether we feel like it or not. 

2. Remember that God is not accountable to us; we are accountable to Him.  Beneath a lot of anger, resentment, and bitterness, I often find that there is an unforgiven spirit aimed at God.  We seldom say it, but many hold God accountable for what is happening in their lives.  This is not new, it goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden where Adam as much as told God that: 'he was not really responsible for his actions because he was led to this action by the woman that God had created for him'.  In essence he is saying: "God, its your fault, if you hadn't given me this woman I wouldn't not be in this fix".  Remember, God is not accountable to us, we are accountable to Him, and we cannot blame him for consequences derived from the choices we've made. 

3. Nothing anyone has done to you compares to what you have done to God.  When it seems impossible to forgive someone else just remember all the things you have been forgiven of.  You have hurt God more yourself than anyone could ever hurt you.  Remember the story that Jesus told about the Unjust Steward who owed a lot of money and could not pay it?  The judge ordered him and his family to be thrown in jail until he could pay it all.  The man begged for mercy and the judge just flatly forgave the entire debt.  That same day this forgiven man went out and found a man that owed him a meager amount of money, he took him by the throat and said: "pay me what you owe me".  The man begged for mercy, but no mercy was shown; he had the man thrown into prison.  When the judge heard about this he was furious.  He brought the man back before him; he vacated his first judgement and threw him into prison.  Jesus said: "So it is with everyone who will not forgive!"

4. Focus not on what you have lost, but on what you have left.  Many people pine away thinking about all the things they've lost, but all the thinking and grieving in the is not going to bring those things back.  They are in the words of Samuel--like water spilled upon the ground, they cannot be gathered up again. So it does you no good to dwell on what you've lost; conversely, you should look around and thank God for what you have left.  I think about the story Jesus told about the Prodigal Son's return to his father's house and how his older brother reacted when his father treated him so kindly after he'd wasted so much.  Notice the father didn't go on a tirade about all the money that was lost, no; he concentrated on what mattered the most.  It is evident in his words: " My son who was dead is now alive!"  He didn't worry about what he'd lost, He was happy about what he had left!

If we will adhere to these four principles it will go a long way in helping us to let it go!

Have a blessed day~!

Mike Sanes
Pastor, THWC