Letting Go

By Erin McNew | Staff Writer

Photo Credit | Donna Irene Photography

As a kid, I was always taught to never give up. That when you fall down you have two choices: you can stay down, or you can get right back up and keep on living. I think that’s one of the lessons I probably took most to heart growing up. And, if I were being honest, that worked out pretty well for me. But lately I’ve been learning that there’s a difference between giving up and letting go.

I’m learning that we have two options when we get hurt: we can walk around wearing our pain on our sleeve, or we can flash that beautiful smile that God gave us at everyone we see. Because you know what the latter option does? It shows people we’re strong. And it shows them that we have a sense of self-worth that is determined less by others and more by God. Because we are strong. And we’re gorgeous. And sometimes we just have to learn that pain was a small price to pay in order for us to realize that we were committing too much of our time, effort, and heart to a place where it simply didn’t belong.

Pain is less something to fear, and more something to face. It’s a battle. And honestly, in some ways I think it’s a battle in which we have something to prove. It’s a battle that grants us the opportunity to display our faith and trust in God. Because it’s those times when it is easy to fall away from Him. It’s easy to try to blame our misfortunes on Him. But it’s not His fault. It’s our blessing. And it’s our race to be won. It’s our moment to grow closer to God. It’s our moment to let our story speak to the hearts of those around us. And it’s our moment to actively discuss what we’re going through.

That’s hard, right? Because it makes us feel weak. Exposing our wound to others makes us feel weak. But the strength we have is the potential to bring others who are experiencing similar emotions yet think they’re alone. That turns our weakness into an asset. It makes us relatable. Because weakness is something we share. It’s something God granted all of humanity. He limited us in our physical and emotional capabilities that we might learn to rely on each other. Our weakness should be seen less in a negative light and more as a call to community. Because we are called to live as one body in Christ, a family. And families are built on a supportive foundation.

“She holds onto hope for He is forever faithful.” 1 Corinthians 1:9

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

P.S. You are enough.