Overcome by Letting Go

“Letting go” is easier said than done. It takes foresight and maturity to look beyond your present pain and realize something better is coming.

Many heroes of the Bible had to say goodbye to things they cared for deeply. We often forget the emotional choices they made to let go of a past or a dream or a relationship before they could step into the future God was offering them.

Remember when God asked Abraham to give up his son?

Remember how Ruth let go of her homeland and her own family?

Hannah had to leave her son Samuel behind to grow up at the temple. David had to say goodbye to his best friend, Jonathan. Esther had to leave her adoptive uncle to move into the palace of a maniacal, pagan ruler. Jesus had to find comfort and healing after his cousin John the Baptist was killed. Mary had to say goodbye to her son on the cross. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Overcoming is not just about what we get, but it’s also about what we give up.

These stories from the heroes of our faith should remind us that letting go is just as much a part of faith as holding on. There is a natural movement or trajectory to life, and what works for one season doesn’t necessarily work for the next. Losing, leaving, and laying to rest are necessary stages of growth. Nobody likes to lose, but if we can’t lose, we can’t gain either. We will just stay where we are, and that’s unnatural.

Overcoming is not all rose petals and glitter. It’s not all trophies and medals and awards. A lot of overcoming is simply moving forward, growing, and adapting as we go. It is leaving the past behind without bitterness or regret, but rather with honor, knowing what we had was important for a season, but that the season has ended.

Respond

What is the Lord asking you to release to him? What makes you reluctant to let go? Don’t be afraid to confess your struggle and ask for God’s help: “Lord, please grant me the faith to entrust this loss to you. Please grant me the strength to trust your goodness and love as I open my hands and release this thing I have loved.”