The next time you think you can't forgive someone or are hesitant to let something go, ask yourself, can I afford to hold onto this?
Perhaps you've heard the illustration of how to trap a monkey. All you need is a rock and a coconut. Then drill a hole in the coconut large enough to put the rock inside but not large enough for anything else. A monkey can reach to take hold of the rock, but its clenched fist around the rock will not fit back through the hole. In effect, the monkey will trap itself because it refuses to let go of the rock.
Many times we can trap ourselves with a clenched fist. We desire 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.
We trap ourselves just like the monkey when we grip onto pride, unforgiveness, negative mindsets, relationships, bad habits, or anything else that keeps us from the best life Jesus wishes to give and form in us.
Jesus explained how powerful forgiveness and letting go is when He said," Whatever you desire, believe you receive it when you pray" Mark 11:24 .... But keep reading because the very next part of what Jesus says is that when you stand praying if you find that you are carrying something in your heart against another person, unclench your fist, let it go, and forgive him so that your Father in heaven can release and forgive you. (Mark 11:25 NKJV)
One important key to letting go is to understand that God only ever asks us to let go of our "stuff" so that He can heal, restore and get His blessings, provision and future to us.
The great news is that when we know we are walking in forgiveness and our own hearts don't condemn us, we can more boldly come to God and ask for what we need and desire. We have a deeper knowing and confidence in our authority in God and that He hears and will answer us. (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV)
Today I encourage you to ask God to reveal where you might benefit from "unclenching your fist" and letting go. Come to Jesus and ask him to help you forgive anyone that you feel has harmed or hurt you.
When we live practising forgiveness, we find freedom and, with it, restoration, healing, answered prayer and open doors to new opportunities and a brand new life.
"Cast all your cares upon me because I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]." (John 10:10 AMP).
"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there, remember that your brother has something against you; leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-34)
"For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Forgiveness and Prayer
"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:23-25)
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 3:8)
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for areas where I have become stubborn or complacent and need to "let go" so I can move forward. Please help me not to resist your work in me and to understand more fully that you only have good plans for my life and want to answer my prayers as I come to you. In Jesus Name Amen.