It seems that almost daily I meet someone who is holding onto something that is doing them more harm than good, causing them more pain that joy, dragging them down instead of lifting them up. Whatever the reason – and there always is a reason - it is a constant reminder for me to let go and to let God…

To let go of the negative is to be free.
Only then can I clearly the positive see.

Every once in a while I come across a little gem in my reading. The following quote is one of those (whose author is unknown) I thought you might appreciate. It is in the book “Stories for the Heart: Over 100 Stories to Encourage Your Soul”, compiled by Alice Gray. I encourage you to ponder each statement and reflect on how you can make it part of your life values in a practical way with people you meet each day.

“To let go doesn’t mean to stop caring, it means I can’t do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off, it’s the realization that I don’t control another.
To let go is not to enable, but to allow learning form natural consequences.
To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to not to try to change or blame another, I can only change myself.
To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own outcomes.
To let go is not to be protective, it is to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but to search out my own shortcomings and to correct them.
To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires but to take each day as it comes and to cherish the moment.
To let go is not to criticize and regulate anyone but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To let go is not to regret the past but to grow and live for the future.
To let go is to fear less and love more.”

And a Scripture passage to consider in this matter of letting go (from Philippians 2: 1 – 5 in the New Living Translation): “…have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Some translations read “have the mind of Christ.”) Consider what He gave up (Philippians 6 – 8) so that we could have a relationship with God and all the blessing that follow.

Have difficulty with any of this? Then reach out to someone you believe can help, maybe a trusted friend or a competent counsellor. Some pretty awesome things, even miracles, have been experienced throughout history because individuals have chosen to let go and to be directed by God’s perfect will. In so doing they clarify and solidify their values and priorities. They gain a whole new perspective, have peace and are grounded. As a result, they and others enjoy themselves and life more, the world is a better place, and heaven is the richer. The Creator has given each of us everything we need to consistently be letting go of the negative and choosing the positive. Believing is a beginning and key to living a life of freedom and uplifting power on a daily basis – check it out and experience these truths for yourself.