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“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13b – 14 (ESV)

Don’t know about you but when all things Christmas are packed and put away, I move into declutter mode.  You got it – I love the feeling of clean but definitely don’t like the process. Yet once I get started it is much easier for me to keep going. So every weekend since Christmas, I’ve been shifting things from throw away, to keep or donate.

Letting go isn’t always easy, is it? We tend to be clingers, holding on tight to things that should have been discarded years ago. Our fave outfit that’s two sizes too small hanging in our closet forever. The kitchen gadget we forgot we had because it was hidden away in our cabinets – out of sight, out of mind. And should we even mention shoes, jewelry, purses, etc., simply taking up space. I think we all get the picture – we have a lot of stuff we fail to release.

A firm grip isn’t regulated to things sweet friends. If we’re not intentional, we can find ourselves holding tight to wounds from our past. We tend to carry grudges buried deep under the pretense of “we’re just fine.”  Yet somehow the residual effects of unresolved pain tends to rear its ugly head when we least expect it. Choosing to settle and keep ruminating the details – tight-fisted, gripping the pain. And what about all those attitudes we harbor because letting go means we need to resist the urge to retaliate?

The balance beam of letting go and keeping is always tricky. It’s a necessary sifting of our thoughts, words and actions. Aligning our hearts with God’s so we are reflectors of His image and not our own. Painstaking work, hard work – yet absolutely necessary. Unveiling hidden things we’ve buried for too long. Clearing out those parts of us that need to be discarded and wiped clean in His grace. Seeking a healing path for those wounds we’ve nursed forever.

It’s February and another year is unfolding rapidly. Will our 2026 resemble the clinging to of things that should have been released? We can gather up the courage with God’s help to let go of anything that hinders or distracts us from serving Him. What are we determined to hold onto that serves us well and glorifies our Father? A consistent, thriving relationship with God through His Word and prayer are essential nonnegotiables. Are there deep wounds we need to partner with someone to lead us to a path of healing? Admitting and working through our hard places positions us to steward our God stories in a way that honors Him.

Our loving God desires for us to walk in the freedom of His truth and grace. Chains released and new life birthed in His healing presence. New clarity as we remove those unnecessary things occupying our thoughts and taking up space. A renewed passion for clean hearts and minds totally devoted to God’s best for our lives. Letting go, releasing anything He brings to our attention. Clean never felt better and it always looks great on us, so let’s partner with God to do the work and seek His guidance.

“Father, teach us to loosen our grip and release to You those things that don’t serve us well. Help us to trust You to complete the hard work that needs to be done in us. Fill us with Your strength and help us to navigate release in a way that honors You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life