there is an incredible amount of freedom when one let go, even when the process can be painful, but the space it opens up, the relief, it's one of the greatest gift we can give ourselves... thank you for reminding us to let go...
I so much agree Victoria. In the next four essays I describe how letting go opened the door to understanding why I was holding on so tight to begin with. None of which was planned or pleasant. But God has a sense of humor.
Thank you Justin. I look forward to the next 4 essays!! I must say as an introverted immigrant overachievers, I really noticed how much I hold on tight without knowing why or where it came from, it was just on autopilot. It's the way to be safe, to be diligent and just keep soldiering on. Now with increased awareness, I can gently question with self compassion, if it still serves me? and if not, how to move forward with more joy and ease.
This entry touches me deeply. Here is a picture of what it means to let go one’s life to follow Jesus.
The experience of letting go is usually so very painful.
I find that one weapon I can use against the enemy, to help me stay the course, is to practice gratitude. When I am tempted to fall into despair or self-pity, I force myself to start giving thanks for specific things going on in my life.
The amazing thing, which never ceases to happen then, is that the Spirit comes beside me and helps me recognize dozens more things the Lord has been giving to me, that I had overlooked. He helps me cross over from despair to praise, awe, and trust.
Thank you for sharing this most beautiful story with us, Justin.
Perhaps it is appropriate that the essay I am working on today, is titled “Thanks, Given”, and is a meditation on the role of gratitude not as a response but as a disposition. You are so right that this is a key that unlocks great treasure!
We will, unfortunately, need to get through four rather painful essays before this one hits the press, but I think it will be worth it, to travel through some rocky terrain, before we arrive at more fertile soil.
Thank you Betsy! I feared I had lost you in the thicket of essays on AI! I treasure your encouragement, and if anyone volunteers to write music I will take them up on it. But for now, it is perhaps just a sweet poem.
Justin, this is just lovely. What a blessing to have moved through your relationship with God and into an intimacy that is overwhelmed with gratitude and contentment.
Also, I love the song lyrics. Especially the part about how you pried...I can very much relate to that. I give things to God and then I often seek to pry them back out of His hands. True surrender trusts Him to keep it and work it out in His time.
Praying I can develop more in my relationship with God also, and your example is one that will encourage me.
Meagan, thank you for sharing. I wish that I could stay in that state forever, but Gods plans were to bring me to that place only to turn my life upside down in the weeks that followed. But not in a bad way - as you will read about in the next four (!!!) essays.
I realize now that He has been going through my life as if it is an unkept house, and room by room he is forcing me to look at the mess and ask myself what I want to do about it. So not really anyone’s idea of fun, but I suppose necessary given all the years of neglect.
In the meanwhile I will continue to share my journey in the hopes that in walking together we can edify each other and more readily see His grace at work.
Justin, I'm looking forward to reading the upcoming essays and learning from your journey! PS, I feel much the game going on in my life as well with the "cleaning house," being chastened and pruned. Blessings and encouragement to you.
I look forward to hearing about your journey thus far, Justin. It does seem, these days, that things are getting more intense in the battle. We are having more opportunities to prove our mettle. Thank you for being willing to share your experiences with us.
(Have you read C.S. Lewis's That Hideous Strength?) There's a place in that story where this same conversation is held between Dr. Dimble and his wife.)
there is an incredible amount of freedom when one let go, even when the process can be painful, but the space it opens up, the relief, it's one of the greatest gift we can give ourselves... thank you for reminding us to let go...
I so much agree Victoria. In the next four essays I describe how letting go opened the door to understanding why I was holding on so tight to begin with. None of which was planned or pleasant. But God has a sense of humor.
Congrats on your bestseller!!!!
Thank you Justin. I look forward to the next 4 essays!! I must say as an introverted immigrant overachievers, I really noticed how much I hold on tight without knowing why or where it came from, it was just on autopilot. It's the way to be safe, to be diligent and just keep soldiering on. Now with increased awareness, I can gently question with self compassion, if it still serves me? and if not, how to move forward with more joy and ease.
This entry touches me deeply. Here is a picture of what it means to let go one’s life to follow Jesus.
The experience of letting go is usually so very painful.
I find that one weapon I can use against the enemy, to help me stay the course, is to practice gratitude. When I am tempted to fall into despair or self-pity, I force myself to start giving thanks for specific things going on in my life.
The amazing thing, which never ceases to happen then, is that the Spirit comes beside me and helps me recognize dozens more things the Lord has been giving to me, that I had overlooked. He helps me cross over from despair to praise, awe, and trust.
Thank you for sharing this most beautiful story with us, Justin.
Thank you Deborah!
Perhaps it is appropriate that the essay I am working on today, is titled “Thanks, Given”, and is a meditation on the role of gratitude not as a response but as a disposition. You are so right that this is a key that unlocks great treasure!
We will, unfortunately, need to get through four rather painful essays before this one hits the press, but I think it will be worth it, to travel through some rocky terrain, before we arrive at more fertile soil.
What a beautiful essay. I love the lyrics. I would love to hear them set to music.
Thank you Betsy! I feared I had lost you in the thicket of essays on AI! I treasure your encouragement, and if anyone volunteers to write music I will take them up on it. But for now, it is perhaps just a sweet poem.
Justin, this is just lovely. What a blessing to have moved through your relationship with God and into an intimacy that is overwhelmed with gratitude and contentment.
Also, I love the song lyrics. Especially the part about how you pried...I can very much relate to that. I give things to God and then I often seek to pry them back out of His hands. True surrender trusts Him to keep it and work it out in His time.
Praying I can develop more in my relationship with God also, and your example is one that will encourage me.
Blessings 🙏
Meagan, thank you for sharing. I wish that I could stay in that state forever, but Gods plans were to bring me to that place only to turn my life upside down in the weeks that followed. But not in a bad way - as you will read about in the next four (!!!) essays.
I realize now that He has been going through my life as if it is an unkept house, and room by room he is forcing me to look at the mess and ask myself what I want to do about it. So not really anyone’s idea of fun, but I suppose necessary given all the years of neglect.
In the meanwhile I will continue to share my journey in the hopes that in walking together we can edify each other and more readily see His grace at work.
Justin, I'm looking forward to reading the upcoming essays and learning from your journey! PS, I feel much the game going on in my life as well with the "cleaning house," being chastened and pruned. Blessings and encouragement to you.
I look forward to hearing about your journey thus far, Justin. It does seem, these days, that things are getting more intense in the battle. We are having more opportunities to prove our mettle. Thank you for being willing to share your experiences with us.
(Have you read C.S. Lewis's That Hideous Strength?) There's a place in that story where this same conversation is held between Dr. Dimble and his wife.)