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Release Your Grip

There's a great parable that highlights the process of letting go. It's about how hunters catch monkeys in Africa. 

The hunters place a jar of peanuts at the base of the tree to lure the monkeys. When a monkey puts its hand in the jar to take out the peanuts, it finds that it is unable to take its hand out of the jar without letting go of the peanuts. It is said that the monkey will remain for hours until it gets caught because it does not want to let go of the peanuts, eventually leading to its capture. 

Though this seems like an illogical action for such intelligent creatures, we are no different. We also cling tenaciously to wants and creature comforts and are unwilling to let go, often with dire consequences. We forcefully try to hold on to situations, circumstances, people, reasons, and familiar patterns instead of trusting God and the wisdom and power He has given us.

In the Scripture above, we see a similar dynamic at play like in this parable. Given a choice to follow Jesus or hold on to his possessions, the young man chose the latter. He was not willing to let go of ALL he owned for eternal life. Before we judge him, take a closer look at yourself and recognize that it is your inability to fully give your ALL to God that keeps you stuck in this cycle—that keeps you holding on like the monkey gripping the peanuts.

As you go through this study, you will discover why we hold on to behaviors and habits that keep us battling our weight.

Action Steps

Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to show you everything you're holding on to. Ask Him to shine the light on every stronghold, every excuse, every person you blame, every fear, every doubt, every limiting belief, and every situation and circumstance that keeps you from letting go.

Reflect

1. Read the entire story in Matthew 19:16-22. Why did Jesus ask the young man to give up his possessions instead of making another request of him?

2. If you were to place yourself in the story, what do you think Jesus would be asking you to give up?

3. What are you currently unwilling to release your grip on?

Prayer

"Dear Lord, I feel like I've come to a place where the rubber meets the road. I want to let go and release my grip on everything in my life that does not glorify you, but I'm so scared. Who will I be if I do not have anything to fall back on. What if the pain gets too much to bear? What if I just can't do it? There's so much fear and anxiety, Lord. But as I take a deep breath, I'm reminded that you are the answer, I'm reminded that you provide me with rest, and I don't have to worry about anything. So I cling desperately to you, Lord, for the answers I seek and the solution to all the problems I face. I release my grip, and I cling to you. In your name, I pray. Amen!"