Have you ever tried to take something out of a two-year-old’s hand? Two-year-olds are amazingly strong and when they want to hold onto a toy or something they want it takes alot of effort to get it from them.
But how often can we can all be just like that. We gain a grip on our stuff; on the known (even if its negative) and what we think we want or we identify with. Yet how many times do we simply need to realize that it’s time to surrender and to let go.
Perhaps you’ve heard the illustration of how to trap a monkey. All you need is a rock and a coconut. Drill a hole in the coconut large enough to put the rock inside, but not large enough for anything else. A monkey will be able to reach inside to take hold of the rock, but its clenched fist around the rock will not fit back through the hole. The monkey will, in effect trap itself because of its refusal to let go of the rock.
Many times we can trap themselves with a clenched fist. How? We trap ourselves when we hold onto pride, unforgiveness, negative mindsets, relationships, habits, or anything else that keeps us from the best life Jesus wishes to give and form in us.
Which is why it’s important for us all to take the time to look at our lives. To reflect and assess where we have become stubborn to change, are holding onto issues, relationships and habits and in doing so have become trapped by our refusal to ‘let go”. We want so often for our lives to be better and different, yet we fail to let go of the very things that so often hold us back from all that God has for us.
One key to letting go is to understand that God only ever asks us to let go and to surrender is so that He can heal, restore and get His blessings, provision and future to us.
Today I encourage you to ask God to reveal to you where you might benefit from “unclenching your fist” and letting go. Then invite God to move in your life and to bless you and choose to trust Him to do that.
“There is a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away”. (Ecclesiastes 3:6)
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9 NLT)
“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1Peter 5:7)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Prayer: Lord please forgive me for areas in my life where I have become stubborn, fearful or complacent and have refused to deal with or “let go” so I can move forward. Please help me to not resist your work in me and to understand more fully that you only have good planned for my life. In Jesus Name Amen.
コメント