It wasn’t just any piano. It was the piano given to me with a
promise attached to it; a promise to never let it leave the family and to hand
it down from one generation to the next. It was supposed to be forever special
and I was supposed to forever cherish it.
That was a tall order.
For years
I’ve grappled with the thought that “a promise is a promise.” How could I
possibly get rid of something I’d vowed would never leave my possession despite
all the dark and painful memories associated with it? Yet, there it sat like a
loud, obnoxious and very unwelcome house guest in the corner of my living room,
taking up space and soaking up a bit of my joy with every glance.
So, when
the opportunity came recently to trade my piano for a very old baby grand, I realized
it was time to put my faith in action and actually let it go. In that decision
alone, I regained control over the situation and reclaimed what this inanimate
object held over me for so long and you know what? It felt great!
I know how
difficult it can be to let go of something held onto out of obligation or
perhaps a false sense of commitment and I would like to share my observations
taken from my own personal experience:
1.
Recognize that it’s unhealthy to keep objects around that represent an unpleasant
time in our lives, especially if God is healing us, drawing us out and away
from the grip of painful memories.
2. It’s
much easier to get rid of an object if we release it emotionally first.
This is tough to do when anger or resentment have built up, but if we first
come to terms with it emotionally, we can release it with strength and
confidence.
3.
Understand that something that may have represented grief and pain in your life
could actually be a blessing to someone else.
4. Give
praise to God when the object physically leaves your possession! Praise Him for
the feeling of release it brings and enjoy the wonderful freedom of no longer
being bound by the painful memories it represented.
5. Share
your testimony! Tell others how God has helped to bring you this far in the
healing process.
God
doesn’t want us held captive by inanimate objects nor by any other reminders of
a painful past. Joel 2:25 tells us, “I will repay you for the
years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the
other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.”
Is there
something you possess today that should be released? Something from a painful
past or a promise made? God knows what brings the pain and sadness in your
life. Rise up and take control of your healing process and remember Luke 10:19,
“I have given you authority to
trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy;
nothing will harm you.”
Seek Him. Seek His guidance
and direction and release all that hinders you today.
