If you’re like me, you’ve already made your goals and chosen your word of the year. But here’s a thought. What would happen if we let go of a few things and lightened our load instead of adding to our burden? I know it sounds counter-intuitive, and how could I bring up such a thing at a time like this when we are busy breaking down how we’ll execute our plans?
But what if our best-made plans, our detailed lists of things to accomplish, were simply a way of controlling a life that wasn’t ours to control? What if we hold on so tightly to our lives or others that we miss the fullness of the journey? What if we let go of a few things instead of adding them?
Pondering this, I came up with a few thoughts regarding some things we could stand to let go of this year. Who couldn’t use to feel a little lighter, especially after all those Christmas cookies? Don’t worry; this blog isn’t about physical weight loss but about losing the things that are weighing us down, some of which we don’t even give a second thought to.
- Let Go of Old Patterns of Thinking
So often, we hold on tight to habitual ways of thinking, well-worn paths our mind automatically treads. Then, there are ideas, limiting beliefs, and lies we cling to about ourselves or others that are untrue and fail to align with God’s truth. There may even be some protective walls we erected to keep us comfortable and safe, which may have been necessary in the past but are no longer helpful and are hindering our growth. Perhaps we continue using the hardened bricks of hatred and bitterness to form walls when letting go means forgiveness and our freedom. Or, we may even find some fearful thoughts that are paralyzing our courage. What patterns of thinking you would be better off letting go of this year?
2. Let Go of Old Behaviors
What about the old behaviors we have established, play-it-safe postures we have adopted, where we no longer try new things, stretch ourselves, or make an effort in some area of our lives? We forget how to play and how to approach life with curiosity and wonder and instead approach it with caution. We forget that small things make a big difference and that even one small step can make a difference or elicit change. These negative behaviors paralyze our purpose and limit forward momentum. But things shift when we let go of the need to control the outcome and simply try our best. We grow in bravery and let go of the idea of failure, embracing setbacks as challenges and learning while making space for childlike wonder.
3. Let Go of Clutter
Our lives can be cluttered with so much stuff. Sometimes, that looks like a home that could use some decluttering, but often, it’s an stuffed schedule. Have we said yes too often and are drowning in overcommitment? Are there activities we should let go of to make breathing space in our week? We need to ask ourselves why we are keeping such a ragged pace, be brutally honest about the answer, and make changes from there. It’s surprising how letting go of a hectic schedule and making space often makes us feel physically lighter and happier, even when we originally thought it impossible to do so.
4. Let Go of People
Sometimes, we try to control our environment or others in an attempt to make things as we wish them to be instead of letting go and allowing them to become all they were meant to. We hold on too tight to our spouse, children, friends, or family for fear of losing them or attempting to form them into something we wish them to be instead of allowing them space to grow. We may force our preferences, timing, expectations, or worldview on them instead of loving them where they are and allowing them to grow into who God created them to be. But releasing our white-knuckled grip and letting go of control often allows ourselves and others room to flourish. Not forcing the outcome of situations but letting them unfold in time often leads to things we couldn’t have thought to ask for or imagine.
5. Let Go of People Pleasing
We would do well to let go of the weight of what others think of us. Caring too much about how others view us leads to people-pleasing. When we place undo importance on having people like us, we tend to behave inauthentically, not remaining true to who we really are, shape-shifting, or being agreeable even when we hold a differing opinion. But allowing others to have that much sway over us is futile. The antidote for this is to simply love others as we love ourselves through the love of God. In doing so, we become free of others’ opinions of us, secure in who we are in Christ and his love for us. When we let go of people’s approval and praise, we find lightness and greater peace.
Psalm 139:14 reminds us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”, and we are loved by God. It is his desire that we are made whole in him. Since “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3), we are well equipped through Christ and can let go of the old in anticipation of the new.
This year, may we have the wisdom to know the things we need to release to make room for the things of true importance. May we find the courage to let go of old patterns of thinking, old behaviors, people, and people-pleasing, and live uncluttered, free of unnecessary things that weigh us down.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfected of faith.” ~Hebrews 12: 1-2
Things to Ponder:
- What habitual thinking or behaviors am I hanging onto that no longer serve me? What can I replace them with?
- What things in my schedule do I need to let go of? If you are overwhelmed, don’t believe the lie that you can’t let some things go. Once you say no, you’ll be surprised by the degree of joy a freed-up schedule affords.
- You may need to look at how you may have fallen into people-pleasing to let go of some commitments. A good starting place is to ask yourself whether you are doing something for the praise of others or because it brings you joy and lines up with your gifts. This will take some raw honesty with yourself. Even too much of a good thing is too much, so find a way to cut things out. For more on this, see my blog post “Let Your Yes Be Yes, and Your No Be No” (link below)
Let Your Yes be Yes, and Your No Be No
Looking for some encouragement in the new year? Check out my 31-day devotional journal, Soul Focus.