Letting Go

I’ve always considered myself to be a person who loves change. In fact, God once spoke to my heart that He gave me a flexible and adaptable nature and as a result, He could use my life in many places and venues. I’ve always welcomed new things and embraced change. Not so much lately!

Recently I’ve struggled with letting go of the familiar and comfortable things in my life. After years of experience in walking with God, I’ve discovered that He generally doesn’t give you something new until you lay down the old. But it feels much safer when you can clearly see the new before letting go of the old.

Abraham learned this lesson (Genesis 12) when God told him to pack his bags and go to an unfamiliar land, miles away from anything or anyone he has known before. That proposition seems scary, and I sincerely hope that God never requires that of me.

I’ve found that in the midst of challenge, vision often dissipates. Of late, I haven’t been able to see clearly what is happening. Instead of faith, I have experienced emotions—lots of them! Feelings have ruled over what I know to be truth. I’ve experienced feelings of rejection and insecurity similar to what Abraham must have felt.

Think about it: Abraham was called to leave all that was dear for an unknown land. He was 75 years old when he departed from Haran—no spring chicken! He had to have felt fearful and insecure about his future in many ways. One of the first ventures of this mighty man of faith was to pass off his wife as his sister to save their skin. Apparently he was convinced the Egyptians would kill him in order to enjoy the company of his beautiful wife.

His assumptions were legitimate all right, even though he didn’t handle it well. Fear and insecurity causes people to do irrational things and think illogical thoughts. Good decisions are often not the outcome, and it is essential at these times to quiet our hearts and listen to what God is saying about our situation.

Little by little I am learning to let go of the old and embrace the new—and the unknown. Now that I understand more clearly what’s been happening in God’s scheme of things, life is making more sense these days. And though I wish I could say that it’s all over, change is still coming, and life is going to look a little differently than before.

But seeing it from God’s perspective? That makes all the difference!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and learn not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5, NIV).

You may be interested in purchasing Linda’s book Letting Go – Seeing Regret from God’s Perspective.