Letting Go

September 25th – Galatians 6:10

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Galatians 6:10

Sometimes the hardest things to let go of are anger, bitterness, and the need to be right. When someone hurts, disappoints, or treats us unfairly, our first instinct may be to defend ourselves, and make sure the other person knows just how wrong they were. We struggle to move past the hurt. And before we realize it, that anger begins to take root in our hearts and steal our peace.

But God calls us to something better. He calls us to lay down our anger, release our bitterness, and stop letting the need to win every argument control our hearts. That doesn’t mean pretending we weren’t hurt. Or excusing someone’s behavior, and allowing others to mistreat us. But we can speak the truth without being cruel and stand up for ourselves without allowing bitterness to take hold.

God wants us to do good to all people. Not just those who are kind to us, agree with us, or treat us the way we think we deserve. All people. We may not be able to change how others treat us, but with God’s help, we can choose how we respond. We can let go of the need to prove our point and trust God to handle what we can’t. Because our goal isn’t to win every battle, but to reflect Jesus in the way we love others.

September 25th – Galatians 6:10 Read More »

September 9th – Ephesians 4:31

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Ephesians 4:31

We are fallen people living in a fallen world, and no matter how hard we try, we all fall short. We hurt one another, say things we wish we could take back, and sometimes allow our emotions to lead us where they shouldn’t.

That’s why Paul tells us to get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, and every form of malice. This world is already filled with enough hatred and hurt without us adding to it.

When we allow bitterness to take root, anger to grow, or resentment to settle into our hearts, we may think we’re holding onto what someone did to us, but we’re really allowing it to hold onto us. And it’s hard to be free when our hearts are filled with things God is asking us to release.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be better and to do better. Not because we’re perfect, but because we’ve been shown a better way. Jesus didn’t respond to hatred with hatred. He answered cruelty with love, rejection with grace, and sin with forgiveness.

We may not be able to change the wickedness around us, but we can choose what we add to it. Let’s lay down the bitterness, anger, and malice and let the character of Christ shine through us. In a world desperately searching for something better, may they see the better way in the way we live.

September 9th – Ephesians 4:31 Read More »

September 8th – 2 Corinthians 5:15

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

2 Corinthians 5:15

Jesus didn’t give His life for us so that we could continue living for ourselves. He gave everything so that our lives could become His. Letting go and letting God means surrendering the need to always have things our way. It means releasing our plans, desires, control, and the parts of ourselves we would rather hold onto. And as we let go, we make room for God to live through us.

We don’t want Jesus to simply be a part of our lives. We want Him to be the center of our lives. We want His love to be seen in the way we treat people, His compassion to be felt through us, His truth to shape our words, and His goodness to be reflected in the way we live.

Every day we wake up is another opportunity to say, “Lord, this day belongs to You. Use me.” Help me do what You have called me to do. Help me obey when it’s difficult, love when it’s inconvenient, forgive when it hurts, serve when no one notices, and stand firm when the world tells me to compromise.

We don’t know how many days God has given us, but we know what we want to do with the days we have left. We want to live for Jesus. We want to grow in Him, become more like Him, and to keep saying yes to Him until the day He calls us home.

September 8th – 2 Corinthians 5:15 Read More »

September 6th – John 14:15

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

John 14:15

We often talk about loving Jesus, and we absolutely should, but Jesus reminds us that genuine love for Him will show itself in the way we live. Sometimes we want to grow closer to God while still holding tightly to the things He is asking us to release. We want His peace, but we don’t want to let go of control. We want His freedom, but we don’t want to let go of the habits that keep us bound. And we want to become more like Christ, but we don’t always want to surrender our own way.

But we can’t fully grow while constantly choosing our own path. Letting go is part of growing. When we let go of our need to control every outcome. When we let go of the sins we’ve become comfortable with. And when we let go of bitterness, pride, fear, and selfishness, we make room for God to grow something new in us.

But obedience isn’t always easy. Sometimes God’s way will ask us to forgive when we’d rather hold onto the hurt. To remain silent when we’d rather have the last word. To trust when we want answers. And to say no to ourselves so we can say yes to Him. And every time  we give up our way and choose God’s, something happens inside of us. We grow.

Surrender isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s an act of love. And sometimes the very thing we’re afraid to release is the very thing keeping us from becoming who God is calling us to be. So if we truly love Jesus, let that love be more than words. Let it change our choices, shape our hearts, and lead us into obedience.

September 6th – John 14:15 Read More »

September 1st – Hebrews 12:1

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Hebrews 12:1

You’d never see someone who’s trying to win a foot race purposely strap on heavy ankle weights. Because they know those weights will slow them down and make the race harder than it needs to be. Yet sometimes as Christians, that’s exactly what we do.

When running our race we strap on the weight of fear, worry, bitterness, unforgiveness, guilt, past hurts, and even relationships or habits. Things that slow us down and keep us from becoming who God has called us to be.

Our faith journey isn’t a 50-yard dash. It’s a life long marathon. And God wants us to go the distance, finishing strong. But we can’t run freely if we’re determined to carry everything along with us. Some things have to be laid down. Other things have to be surrendered. And still others have to be released into God’s hands.

We don’t have to run someone else’s race, and we don’t have to finish it perfectly. We simply need to keep our eyes on Jesus, keep moving forward, and refuse to give up. So today ask yourself, “What am I carrying that God is asking me to lay down?” Maybe it’s time to take off the weights and run freely toward Him.

September 1st – Hebrews 12:1 Read More »

April 14th – Colossians 3:13-14

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Colossians 3:13-14

Ah spring. The time when the world awakens to the gentle embrace of renewal in nature. And also a time for reconciliation and renewal in our own relationships. When we can release the burdens of past hurts and grievances, bearing with one another in love. Forgiveness, like the fresh buds of spring, blossoms from hearts softened by the understanding of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness towards us. As we extend grace to others, we mirror the grace we’ve received from the Lord. So may we all let the peace of Christ reign supreme in our hearts, like the tranquility that settles over a fresh spring morning. And in the warmth of His love, may our hearts be filled with a sense of harmony and unity. One that overcomes differences and fosters bonds of mutual respect and understanding. As the beauty of spring unfolds around us, let it serve as a reminder of the transformative power of love and forgiveness, guiding us towards reconciliation and renewal in every aspect of our lives.

April 14th – Colossians 3:13-14 Read More »