Some things we have to release before we can grow closer to God. Here are five things I’ve had to let go of on my own walk with Him.

  • 1. Let Go of Needing to See It Before You Believe It

" For we walk by faith, not by sight."

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

" Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

In a biblical sense, faith literally means trusting God’s character and promises before you see the outcome. This analogy comes to mind: when sitting in a chair, you don’t analyze its ability to hold you or its engineering; you simply sit down and trust the chair will hold you.

When you can’t see the answer, trust Him anyway. Belief is accepting that something is true. Example: Believing that the boat can float. Faith is stepping into the boat and letting it take you out into the water. That requires action and commitment.

Remind yourself often: I don’t see it yet, but I choose to trust God in this.

Prayer: “Father, help me walk by faith and not by sight.”

  • 2. Let Go of Anger You Keep Calling Justified

" Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."

Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV)

" For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

James 1:20 (ESV)

What happened in the past may have been wrong, but you don’t need to let someone else’s sin become the reason you keep sinning. Own it, repent, and move forward. Jesus died on the cross 2,000 years ago for the sin that you keep going past the cross, where every drop of Jesus’ blood was spilled for all of your sins, only for you to pick back up. Who do you think you are? Are you God? You’re making yourself an idol. You’re not an Israelite. That sin is paid for; stop picking it back up.

Stop replaying it. Don’t let it live rent-free in your head. Give the offense to God; He doesn’t want me living in the past. He can’t use me there. He wants me to live for Him now, where my growth and light can help others.

Accepting that what happened to me was real, but it will not determine who I become. My faith and commitment to trusting and obeying God determine who I will become.

Prayer: “Father, heal my hurt without hardening my heart.”

  • 3. Let Go of Needing to Prove You’re the Smartest Christian in the Room

" Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil."

Proverbs 3:7 (ESV)

" Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

Philippians 2:3 (ESV)

You can win the argument and lose the person. Sometimes, keeping it shut and walking away is the best thing to do right now. Hardened hearts, constant battles, and sin only take you further from God.

Before correcting someone, ask: “Have I examined myself and removed the log from my own eye?”

I don’t have to prove I’m right to represent Christ. Can I get a slice of humble pie, please?

Prayer: “Father, give me wisdom to know when to speak and humility to know when to be silent.”

  • 4. Let Go of Only Praying, “God, Get Me Out”

" Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

" Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

In my experience, sometimes God changes the situation. Sometimes He changes YOU through it.

Ask, “God, what are You trying to produce in me?” Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control? Did you notice those are the fruit of the Spirit? Trials and tribulations ultimately help us to eliminate bad fruit: hate, jealousy, anxiety, impatience, bitterness, cruelty, unfaithfulness, chaos. Do any of these sound like you right now? Are you going through a trial?

I may not understand this season, but I trust You. Maybe God is using this trial to eliminate the bad fruit and bring good fruit into my life.

Prayer: “Father, give me strength to endure and the wisdom to learn.”

  • 5. Let Go of Spiritual Pride

" Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall."

1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)

" Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)

The more you grow in Christ, the more you should depend on Christ.

Stay humble. Stay teachable. Stay accountable. Look at yourself first.

" You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Matthew 7:5 (ESV)

I still need Jesus. I am never above correction. Be teachable, accept correction with grace, and remain humble. The day I think I’m above correction is the day I lose.

Prayer: “Father, keep me humble and completely dependent on You.”

These are truths I’ve often learned the hard way. I’m stubborn, hardheaded, and sinful. I’ve known me with God and without Him. Trust me, I’d rather be with Him. I’m still a work in progress. Work daily to remain in HIM so I can become the person HE wants me to be.

I pray this message touched you and helped you realize some hard truths as you read it. I pray the pruning of your heart will produce good fruit. May God lead you to HIM!