Let It Go!

 Yep!  Caught you! Some of you were starting to blare Elsa from Frozen in your head as you read those words!  Don’t worry this thought isn’t about about a Movie or Song, but those words do have significant meaning.  

We’ve all had some bad stuff come our way in this journey of life.  People have wronged you, we’ve been faced with health or financial crises. We’ve lost loved ones. For sure in 2020 we’ve all had our “normal” turned upside down.  Some of us have faced even darker things, things you can’t talk about or want to never remember.

In light of all that this Holiday season, sure seems trite to just say “Let It Go.”  But the alternative can lead to a burden and bitterness that will cover your life with a fast growing weed or fast moving storm.  It will slowly cloud your every thought and distort your every interaction. 

I was recently talking to someone I’ve known a long time. I know their history. They have been dealt some bad cards in life sure and over the years they have forgotten about those 3 words and let that cloud settle in.  I realized that this person now views every interaction and every situation through a distorted lens.  They think no one is genuine, there’s always a suspicion and they always feel like they are on the short end of everything.

Look it’s not easy.  Human nature says to be angry, fight back, get even.  But the other side of the coin is the way to healing.  For that we need to look no farther than Jesus.  On the cross, He was asking forgiveness for the people who put Him there.  Talk about “Let It Go !” Once we realize that burdens of hurt and pain were not meant to be carried by us, there is a freedom mentally and emotionally.

I’m no counselor, just a guy who observes things.  I think we can all agree that “Letting It Go” whatever “It” is for you is better than years of pain and the cloud that can overtake your life.  So maybe this Christmas season, there is someone you need to call or visit, maybe something you’ve been holding causing pain, a heart change that you need to work on and by doing that you give yourself a gift – you “Let It Go.”