Letting Go: Embracing Freedom and Inner Strength
Summary
In today's message, I began by addressing the control freaks among us, those who hold on too tightly to their plans and expectations. I shared a personal story about my elbow injury, which wasn't caused by the weight I was lifting but by how hard I was gripping it. This serves as a metaphor for life: sometimes, it's not the weight of our responsibilities that burdens us, but how tightly we hold onto them. God is teaching us that if we loosen our grip, we can handle much more. This lesson is particularly relevant in these uncertain times when many of us are struggling to find our rhythm and groove. God is showing us that we can manage our lives better if we take things day by day, moment by moment, rather than getting overwhelmed by the past or the future. [14:55]
I then moved on to discuss the importance of appreciating what we have, especially in the context of the global pandemic. This season has taught us to value things we once took for granted. I drew parallels with the Israelites who, after leaving Egypt, longed for the food they had there. It took leaving Egypt for them to appreciate what they had. Similarly, this pandemic is teaching us to appreciate the simple moments and blessings in our lives. God is resetting our baseline for what we consider a blessing. The Bible says, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord," and that's our new baseline. If we have breath, we should praise Him. [06:56]
I also touched on the concept of release. God is teaching us to let go of things we could never control in the first place. This is not about shirking responsibilities but about releasing the illusion of control. God is homeschooling us in this season, teaching us to release our grip on things that are beyond our control. This lesson is crucial for our spiritual growth and mental well-being. [11:45]
Next, I shared a powerful insight about how God uses our circumstances to reveal what He has placed within us. Sometimes, God allows things around us to shut down so that something within us can come alive. This is evident in the story of the Israelites being set free from Pharaoh. Just when they thought they were free, Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them. This teaches us that the enemy uses the heaviest artillery on those carrying the greatest purpose. If a lot is coming against you, it means God has put a lot in you. [01:26]
Finally, I emphasized that freedom often comes at a cost. God told Moses that freedom wouldn't come easy, and certain freedoms in our lives have to be forced. Sometimes, God has to take things away from us to set us free. This season is teaching us to appreciate what we have and to trust God even when we can't see the way forward. It's easy to look back and see how God made a way, but true faith is believing that He will make a way when we can't see it. This is a lesson in letting go, and it's one that we may not fully understand until we're on the other side of it. [04:11]
### Key Takeaways
1. Loosen Your Grip: Sometimes, it's not the weight of our responsibilities that burdens us, but how tightly we hold onto them. By loosening our grip and trusting God, we can handle much more. This lesson is particularly relevant in these uncertain times when many of us are struggling to find our rhythm and groove. [14:55]
2. Appreciate the Simple Moments: The global pandemic has taught us to value things we once took for granted. Just like the Israelites who longed for the food in Egypt after leaving, we are learning to appreciate the simple moments and blessings in our lives. Our new baseline for gratitude is simply having breath. [06:56]
3. Release the Illusion of Control: God is teaching us to let go of things we could never control in the first place. This is not about shirking responsibilities but about releasing the illusion of control. This lesson is crucial for our spiritual growth and mental well-being. [11:45]
4. God Reveals Our Inner Strength: Sometimes, God allows things around us to shut down so that something within us can come alive. The enemy uses the heaviest artillery on those carrying the greatest purpose. If a lot is coming against you, it means God has put a lot in you. [01:26]
5. Freedom Comes at a Cost: True freedom often comes at a cost. Sometimes, God has to take things away from us to set us free. This season is teaching us to appreciate what we have and to trust God even when we can't see the way forward. True faith is believing that He will make a way when we can't see it. [04:11]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Revealing Inner Strength
[04:11] - Freedom Comes at a Cost
[06:56] - Appreciating Simple Moments
[11:45] - Releasing Control
[14:55] - Loosening Your Grip
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 14:5-7 - "When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, 'What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!' So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them."
2. Psalm 150:6 - "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
3. Philippians 3:13-14 - "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Pharaoh decide to do after letting the Israelites go, and why? ([01:26])
2. According to Psalm 150:6, what is the new baseline for gratitude mentioned in the sermon? ([10:04])
3. What does Philippians 3:13-14 suggest about handling past and future concerns? ([14:55])
4. How did the pastor's personal story about his elbow injury serve as a metaphor for handling responsibilities? ([13:18])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might God allow challenging circumstances to reveal our inner strength, as suggested in the sermon? ([03:06])
2. How does the story of the Israelites longing for Egypt after leaving it relate to our current situation during the pandemic? ([08:28])
3. What does it mean to "release the illusion of control," and why is this important for spiritual growth? ([16:35])
4. How can the concept of "freedom coming at a cost" be applied to our personal lives and faith journey? ([04:11])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you held onto something too tightly. How did it affect you, and what can you do to loosen your grip and trust God more? ([13:18])
2. In what ways has the pandemic taught you to appreciate simple moments and blessings that you previously took for granted? ([06:56])
3. Identify an area in your life where you need to release control. What steps can you take this week to start letting go? ([16:35])
4. Think about a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you see it as an opportunity for God to reveal your inner strength? ([03:06])
5. How can you practice praising God for the simple fact of having breath, as suggested in Psalm 150:6? ([10:04])
6. What are some specific ways you can trust God to make a way forward when you can't see it, as illustrated by the story of the Israelites at the Red Sea? ([04:11])
7. How can you apply the lesson of taking things day by day, moment by moment, to avoid feeling overwhelmed by past or future concerns? ([14:55])
Devotional
Day 1: Loosen Your Grip
Sometimes, it's not the weight of our responsibilities that burdens us, but how tightly we hold onto them. By loosening our grip and trusting God, we can handle much more. This lesson is particularly relevant in these uncertain times when many of us are struggling to find our rhythm and groove. The metaphor of an elbow injury caused by gripping too tightly rather than the weight itself serves as a powerful reminder. God is teaching us that if we loosen our grip, we can manage our lives better by taking things day by day, moment by moment, rather than getting overwhelmed by the past or the future. [14:55]
Isaiah 41:13 (ESV): "For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'"
Reflection: What is one responsibility or worry that you are holding onto too tightly? How can you begin to loosen your grip and trust God with it today?
Day 2: Appreciate the Simple Moments
The global pandemic has taught us to value things we once took for granted. Just like the Israelites who longed for the food in Egypt after leaving, we are learning to appreciate the simple moments and blessings in our lives. This season is resetting our baseline for what we consider a blessing. The Bible says, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord," and that's our new baseline. If we have breath, we should praise Him. This perspective shift helps us to see the beauty in the mundane and the sacred in the ordinary. [06:56]
Psalm 150:6 (ESV): "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!"
Reflection: What simple moment or blessing have you taken for granted recently? How can you express gratitude to God for it today?
Day 3: Release the Illusion of Control
God is teaching us to let go of things we could never control in the first place. This is not about shirking responsibilities but about releasing the illusion of control. This lesson is crucial for our spiritual growth and mental well-being. By releasing our grip on things that are beyond our control, we can find peace and trust in God's sovereignty. This season is a divine opportunity to learn to release and trust, knowing that God is ultimately in control. [11:45]
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are trying to maintain control? How can you begin to release that control to God today?
Day 4: God Reveals Our Inner Strength
Sometimes, God allows things around us to shut down so that something within us can come alive. The enemy uses the heaviest artillery on those carrying the greatest purpose. If a lot is coming against you, it means God has put a lot in you. This perspective helps us to see challenges as opportunities for growth and revelation. Just as the Israelites faced Pharaoh's pursuit even after their initial freedom, we too may face intense opposition when we are on the brink of a breakthrough. [01:26]
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (ESV): "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."
Reflection: What current challenge in your life might be an opportunity for God to reveal your inner strength? How can you lean into God's power in this situation?
Day 5: Freedom Comes at a Cost
True freedom often comes at a cost. Sometimes, God has to take things away from us to set us free. This season is teaching us to appreciate what we have and to trust God even when we can't see the way forward. It's easy to look back and see how God made a way, but true faith is believing that He will make a way when we can't see it. This is a lesson in letting go, and it's one that we may not fully understand until we're on the other side of it. [04:11]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: What is one thing you feel God might be asking you to let go of to experience true freedom? How can you take a step of faith in this area today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Here's what I'm noticing. If I take it day by day or hour by hour or moment by moment, I'm good. It's only when I get too far out or too far back. Either one is a mistake. I can handle Sunday on Sunday, but I can't handle Saturday on Sunday, and I can't handle Monday on Sunday. But this is the day. Somebody say, this is the day. In the chat, this is the day that the Lord has made for getting what is behind. I can't fix that. I have a grip on something behind me, and I can't go toward what God has put in front of me, but I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling. God said you can get there if you let go. Let go. Let go. Let go. Let go." [14:55]
2. "The Enemy uses the heaviest artillery on the people who are carrying the greatest purpose. Y'all won't shout. Y'all won't put a fire emoji in the chat. So if a lot is coming against you, that means God has put a lot in you. One of the things God is showing us in this season is what he put in us. You know how he's doing that? By shutting down everything around us. Sometimes the only way for you to see what is within you is that everything that is not within you… I put it like this. When I preach to a crowd, I sometimes get carried by their energy. But when I'm preaching and there are only three people in the room… Alejandro on camera two, and Eric is sitting there like he's doing a job, but he really just wanted to get away from his kids for a few minutes…something different has to kick in." [01:26]
3. "Sometimes the only way God gets us to appreciate something is to allow it to leave for a little while. That doesn't mean that this global pandemic isn't going to be a blessing. That doesn't mean that this global pandemic isn't a blessing. That doesn't mean that this global pandemic is a plague sent by God, but I think God can use it to teach us to appreciate some things. Don't you?" [06:56]
4. "The very same thing we long for today is something we had been living in for so long that God is teaching me to appreciate some things. How about you? He's teaching me to appreciate some things I had become so accustomed to, used to. You get used to the things God gives you to the point that you can become used to the people, that God gives you. You can get used to simple moments, things that used to be annoying, you learn to appreciate. Don't you?" [08:28]
5. "The Bible says, Let everything that hath a new car praise the Lord. Let everything that hath perfect circumstance praise the Lord. Sorry. It's been a while. Maybe I'm rusty on the Scriptures. Let everything that hath breath… So that's the new baseline for being grateful. That's the new baseline. Before God gives us a new blessing, he wants to give us a new baseline. Did you just breathe? Praise him. Are you still here? Praise him. Did he wake you up? Praise him. Did he sustain you? You might not like the taste of manna, but if you have something to eat, praise him. You might not like who you're sitting next to, on the couch, but praise him that you have somebody to sit next to." [10:04]
### Quotes for Members
1. "'Actually, it's not the amount of weight that caused the injury. It's not how much weight you were lifting. It's how hard you were gripping it.' I'm coming for the control freaks. I'm coming for the people who, even when you pray for your kids, you're not really praying. You're just giving God a punch list of ways to make them not in his image but yours. I'm coming for everybody who had a plan for this part of the year, and now you can't really find your rhythm. You can't find your groove. It's understandable, and it's completely normal. But what Chunks told me… This is so powerful, and I'm going to say it way better than he said it, but this is how I heard it. I heard him say, you could lift a lot more if you will loosen your grip. You can lift a lot more. How much time do y'all have today? God said, if you'll hold it differently, you can handle it." [14:55]
2. "What I think it's about, releasing is the things you could never control to begin with. All God is doing in some of our lives in this season is showing us how little control we had to begin with." [16:35]
3. "The Lord allows something around us to shut down, to die, so that something within us can come alive. Pharaoh said, 'I changed my mind about letting them go.' The message title today is called A Lesson in Letting Go. I just want you to put that right there in the comments. If you're watching this later on YouTube, just put, 'This is a lesson in letting go.' There's so much we're learning right now. We may not know we've learned it until way on the other side of it. You don't really realize life lessons until later. You know that, right? It's later that you say, 'Oh, it was good for me that I was afflicted, because this taught me that. Oh, it's good for me that they told me no, because I didn't want to date them anyway. If I would have married them, I would be in therapy right now.' The Lord says, 'It's later that we see the lessons.' A lot of times it's later that we see the lessons." [04:11]
4. "Now we can read about Exodus 14 and the children of Israel. They should have trusted God through the Red Sea and God was going to make a way, but it's easy to say that on the other side of it. It's so easy to look back and say, 'He made a way where there was no way.' But that's when you're looking back. What really takes faith is to look forward at something and to believe that he's going to make a way when you can't see it. A lesson in letting go. God told Moses from the beginning that freedom is not going to come easy. Certain freedoms in our life have to be forced. That sounds bad, but it's true. The only way God sets us free from certain things is he has to take them away. Sometimes what God allows to be removed from our life is just as important as what he allows to be brought into our life." [04:11]
5. "God is teaching me to appreciate some things. He's revealing things to me I did not appreciate enough, things I just took for granted, things I just thought would always be this way. One of the things that's happening in this season for all of us is God is not only teaching us to appreciate certain blessings, but he is resetting the baseline of what we consider a blessing." [08:28]
6. "Then he's not only teaching me to appreciate some things, and he's not only resetting some things, but he's teaching me to release some things. If you are a control freak and you want to stay that way, log off right now. If you are a control freak and you want to stay that way, you better search dance videos, cat videos in the YouTube box right now and just get off this stream, because right now I'm coming for every control freak, because I is one. Y'all like my English? God is homeschooling us right now. God is teaching me some things about release." [11:45]
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