Ten Reasons We Don't Let Go
By Pete Scazzero from his blog entry: 10 Reasons We Don't Let Go
By Pete Scazzero from his blog entry: 10 Reasons We Don't Let Go
We need to let go of most of the things we try to control because Scripture is clear: God is in control, and all we were meant to be is in control of ourselves - not of other people, things, or situations. We are responsible for what we choose, what we do, and how we respond.
"God controls the big picture, we control ourselves. So many of our problems come from trying to control things outside of our control . And when we try we lose control of ourselves. We do control our own behavior and we are to exercise that responsibility... We yield to God's control of the world, allowing Him to be in control of the rest of life. At the same time, we remain in control of ourselves (self-control) and our responsibilities and do not try to control others and situations." - Cloud & Townsend
I, Pete Scazzero, found myself listing the top reasons why I, along with so many others, continue to resist the very thing—our need to let go of control—that is the rich source of so much life and power. The following are my top ten reasons:
1. Fear
Is it any wonder God says to us over and over again in Scripture—"Do not fear?"
2. Things Will Fall Apart
That is true—at least the things that God never intended to remain in the first place. Regardless, we can only keep our plans and agendas from falling apart for a short time. "Unless the Lord builds a house, we labor in vain who build it?" (Psalm 127:1).
3. I Will Fall Apart
Yes, that is true, and it may be a very good thing. Our false selves, our protectiveness, and our striving need to be dismembered and dismantled by the Spirit. When we fall apart, it offers God the opportunity to rebuild us.
4. Our Family of Origin
For many of us, things were out of control in our families growing up. We were helpless and, in some cases, victimized. So now, as adults, we resist letting go of our control of life.
5. Past Betrayals
A 26 year-old, young adult recently told me how impossible it is for him to trust God since he was betrayed by so many authority figures in his life. "With humans this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26).
6. A Distorted Image of God
We serve a God who loves us with inexhaustible love and with no strings attached. Our heavenly Father seeks our good in any and every situation. Yet many of us relate to God as if He were an angry deity—demanding, and consistently frustrated with us. It is hard to let go and trust that kind of god.
7. Lack of Stillness and Silence Before Him
Without a dimension of silence and stillness in our lives (arguably two of the most difficult spiritual practices in the church today), we don’t offer the Holy Spirit space where He can tenderize our willfulness and turn it into willingness.
8. Perfectionism
Many of us who seek excellence carry the shadow of a driving perfectionism. When we begin to learn to let go, we find that God is passionate that we become excellent at letting go and trusting Him (an interior state). And that is much more important to Him than having our environment marked by order and perfection (an exterior state).
9. Limited View of Letting Go
This is not about answering an altar call, having a crisis moment of surrender, or praying this once a day. Letting go of control and trusting Jesus is the core of the Christian life—every day, every hour, every moment, of every day.
10. Denial
A day is coming when our earthly days will be over. We will let go of everything—health, relationships, status, possessions. We are all very vulnerable. In a moment, our lives can completely change. To think that we are in control is an illusion.
There are few greater gifts we can give those we serve by letting go and trusting Jesus. And may you let go and experience the promise of Jesus: "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds " (John 12:24).