Pull With Him

Turn your eyes from your grief (which is anticipatory, not actual) and place them on the Lord. You have the mistaken belief that your loved ones can control their own hearts and motivations, but the Lord is the only one whose reach extends to the full depth and breadth of the human heart. Your loved ones cannot control these hidden motivations for themselves any more than you can reach the influences that cause you to say, “I do what I do not want to do.” Your loved ones are unable to change themselves to please you, but God can change them to be pleasing unto Himself. Direct your energy to pull with Him. Guard your words and actions carefully and flow with the Holy Spirit’s love.

Release

Let go of self castigation and recognize this fact: everything is the Lord's "fault." He has taken every sin upon His own shoulders; He has taken the blame. Understand that in His own flesh the ordeal of suffering for your sin has been finished. The only way you can cause him additional pain is by a refusal to release your burdens to Him. Release grants peace like that of a weaned child with its mother; a weaned child is happy with the status quo.

Let me clarify something for you about release. Letting go requires no further action on your part. You lay it down, and you can then rest just as the Lord was able to sleep in the midst of the storm. No plan of action is required.

Do not misunderstand. Avoidance is not His will for you; release is not the equivalent of avoidance. Release is like handing the reins of control over to another, more qualified driver. You are still along for the ride! Pray when the Lord says to pray, rest when He says to rest, and take action when He says to act (which will be far less often than you think).

Dear One, His presence has not departed from you, but this constant worriment over your circumstances has robbed you of the joy of His presence. Give Him your own sin, and release also those you love into His care. Pray for them, but don't spend your strength unwisely. You do not have to agonize over them; Christ has died for them.

Place your trust in your Lord and God. You are His heart, and His life dwells within you. If He were to hurt you He would hurt Himself. Trust in the Lord and do not think of this as “giving up.” Release is a strategy of successful warfare.


Scripture: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert, your enemy the devil prowls around like a hungry lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:6-8).

"Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong," (Zechariah 8:13).