Freedom is Found in Letting Go

 By: Shari A. Miller

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

At one time or another we've all had a feeling of deep fear that overwhelms us and cuts us down to our core. It could come from anything: lack of money, marriage problems, children going astray, political elections, the state of our nation. You name it...there are a thousand things we could be fearful over.

For me, the number one fear that has dominated my life is ... metastatic breast cancer. 

I've been dealing with breast cancer for almost 17 years. It's a long story that I'll save for a other day. Through it all I've dealt with ups and downs, highs and lows and just a roller coaster of emotions that has plagued me from one day to the next. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I was home alone with my five year old son. I had just gotten a call from my doctor and he told me the terrible news. I moved as far away from my son as I could so he wouldn't hear me. I called my husband on the phone and screamed a high pitched scream, while tears were running down my face I said to him, "It's cancer! It's cancer! Please come home now!" I hung up the phone and cried out to God, "Why God? Why?"

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:7

I didn't receive an answer that day, nor did I the next. However, just recently the Lord told me how to be free from the never ending fear that plagued me. 

"Let it go my child, let it go."

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. - Psalm 118:5

He of course had been trying to tell me this all along. But, it was just recently that I finally understood and could hear Him clearly. 

He asked me what I was really afraid of, asked me why I was letting cancer have first place in my life. He specifically said to me, "Don't I want what's best for you child? In the end won't I fulfill my plan for your life? In the end won't you see Me and have eternal life with me?"

I of course answered, "yes" to all His questions. It was then that waves of peace came rushing over me just like the ocean. It was then that something so simple and yet profound was placed on my heart and swept over me like a cool morning breeze. I don't have to worry, I don't have to fear. God is in charge of my life and He will never let me down, all I have to do is surrender it all to Him, have faith in Him, and trust Him with the outcome.

This doesn't always happen automatically for me. Every day, and sometimes every hour, and  then every minute I have to surrender it all to Him. When I do, I feel at ease, and happy. I don't have to carry all of these burdens. I don't need to have it all figured out because God all ready does.

What are you facing today friends? What has been keeping you in bondage and not allowing you to move forward? Have you allowed God first place in your life, or is something else taking His place? Whatever your fear might be, whatever is trying to consume your life, give it up and let it go, surrender it all to the Father and watch Him take control and work everything out for His good.