The Freedom of Release
It's important to always remember history. History has always been, and always will be an integral part and important aspect of the world we live in today. From the moment you and I were born, we became part of history. As time has gone on, we have made memories. Some are spectacular and wonderful and ones that will live on forever. These are the memories that will live on for future generations to come. However, everyone has memories that you would like to forget. The problem, and the question that we all want the answer to is: How do I let go of my past? If this sounds like you, keep reading. I'd like to share with you three distinct keys I believe can help you.
Key #1: Remember who has always been, and are still with you.
Never forget those who have stuck with you, even when you were down and out and it seemed like it was absolute hell on Earth. I personally can remember after I graduated from high school and moved on to Spartanburg Methodist College in 2015, while it was an exciting time for most and everyone was looking ahead to the next chapter in life, I was in a broken place. I had some personal issues in my life that I knew were holding me back to what God had planned for me. I thank God for those people who hung with me while I was in that broken place. These people (and they know who they are) didn't lose faith in me and now I am a much better person because of those people. Those people that have left your life and mine left them because that's not who God called to be in your life. I saw a quote on social media that I can't remember exactly what it said, but it was to the effect of, if you see someone is struggling, keep speaking life to that person and don't be another person that just gives up on them. I can't remember who exactly wrote that post, but I thank God you did. I would encourage each of you to live out that post and if you're down in life right now, be encouraged because God gave you another day on this Earth. If you're in a good place in life right now, I would challenge you to be an encouragement to someone else. You never know the impact you could have on just one person. What if what you see as a loss, God sees as a detour to what He truly has in store for you and that He is trying to tell you that your best days are still ahead of you?
Key #2: Realize it's time to let the past go, it's about what's next.
This is probably the most important key to letting go of your past. You will never maximize your full potential if you don't learn to let go. Anybody that drives a car knows you can't keep looking in the rear view mirror because eventually, you will crash. Imagine that rear view mirror as your past, and then you'll understand.
I understand your past may be broken and you may have not gotten that opportunity you wanted but there's nothing you can do about it now, it's all in the rear view mirror. Clemson Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney said in his speech at the White House team visit recognizing the 2016 national champions that "it's always about what's next." While he was talking about the new challenge the 2017 team will have to embrace and that last year's success won't equal success this year, the message can apply to life as well. Please understand you have to have something to look forward to in life. However, if you don't release your past you'll never be truly happy and won't reach the full potential God would have you to reach. Let go of all of the hurt, mistakes, regrets, would've, could've, should've's and don't let those factors allow you to miss out on the abundant life God has planned for you another day.
Key #3: LOOK at where you will be OR LOOK at where you are now
Before reading this last key, I would encourage you to read the first two keys and if you have, my question to you is, are you now willing to let completely let go of your past? If so, let's talk about the first part of the key, looking at where you will be. The best way to look at where you will be, I believe is to start envisioning your success. I need you to see yourself in that relationship, advancing academically, driving that nice car or having an impact on the world. For me personally, attending Clemson has been a dream of mine, but another quote I saw said "dreams don't work unless you do." I had to first let go of my past. Was I ready to go to Clemson right out of high school? No. That's why I chose to start my college career at Spartanburg Methodist College and from there, I started envisioning my success at SMC and getting accepted to Clemson and now it's a reality. Whatever it is you want in life, you need to start envisioning yourself in it.
Maybe you're at the second part of the key, the NOW. My advice to you is look at how far you've come and the progress you've made. Has it always been easy? No, but if it were easy, everyone would do it. But, has it been worth it? Yes. You've grown so much from where you've started from and I'm sure so many people are so proud of you and I am too and I congratulate you on your success and I wish you continued success in the future as you continue to elevate and move forward. I want you to know you are a one of a kind person created in the image of God and as long as you stay focused on Him, there is greater in store for you.
To summarize the three main points, I'd like to conclude with John 10:10. Part of the verse says: ".....I have come that they may have more life and have it more abundantly." So, if God called you to have life and have it more abundantly, then my question to you is, why haven't you let go? If you let go, you will truly begin to experience the Freedom of Release.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I would invite you to share it and let me know how my work has impacted you on my Facebook (Brandon Stockdale), Twitter and Instagram (1bstockdale). I believe I'm about to change people's lives through the gift of writing that God has blessed me with.
Til next time, More Blessings and More Life to you all
Brandon
Key #1: Remember who has always been, and are still with you.
Never forget those who have stuck with you, even when you were down and out and it seemed like it was absolute hell on Earth. I personally can remember after I graduated from high school and moved on to Spartanburg Methodist College in 2015, while it was an exciting time for most and everyone was looking ahead to the next chapter in life, I was in a broken place. I had some personal issues in my life that I knew were holding me back to what God had planned for me. I thank God for those people who hung with me while I was in that broken place. These people (and they know who they are) didn't lose faith in me and now I am a much better person because of those people. Those people that have left your life and mine left them because that's not who God called to be in your life. I saw a quote on social media that I can't remember exactly what it said, but it was to the effect of, if you see someone is struggling, keep speaking life to that person and don't be another person that just gives up on them. I can't remember who exactly wrote that post, but I thank God you did. I would encourage each of you to live out that post and if you're down in life right now, be encouraged because God gave you another day on this Earth. If you're in a good place in life right now, I would challenge you to be an encouragement to someone else. You never know the impact you could have on just one person. What if what you see as a loss, God sees as a detour to what He truly has in store for you and that He is trying to tell you that your best days are still ahead of you?
Key #2: Realize it's time to let the past go, it's about what's next.
This is probably the most important key to letting go of your past. You will never maximize your full potential if you don't learn to let go. Anybody that drives a car knows you can't keep looking in the rear view mirror because eventually, you will crash. Imagine that rear view mirror as your past, and then you'll understand.
I understand your past may be broken and you may have not gotten that opportunity you wanted but there's nothing you can do about it now, it's all in the rear view mirror. Clemson Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney said in his speech at the White House team visit recognizing the 2016 national champions that "it's always about what's next." While he was talking about the new challenge the 2017 team will have to embrace and that last year's success won't equal success this year, the message can apply to life as well. Please understand you have to have something to look forward to in life. However, if you don't release your past you'll never be truly happy and won't reach the full potential God would have you to reach. Let go of all of the hurt, mistakes, regrets, would've, could've, should've's and don't let those factors allow you to miss out on the abundant life God has planned for you another day.
Key #3: LOOK at where you will be OR LOOK at where you are now
Before reading this last key, I would encourage you to read the first two keys and if you have, my question to you is, are you now willing to let completely let go of your past? If so, let's talk about the first part of the key, looking at where you will be. The best way to look at where you will be, I believe is to start envisioning your success. I need you to see yourself in that relationship, advancing academically, driving that nice car or having an impact on the world. For me personally, attending Clemson has been a dream of mine, but another quote I saw said "dreams don't work unless you do." I had to first let go of my past. Was I ready to go to Clemson right out of high school? No. That's why I chose to start my college career at Spartanburg Methodist College and from there, I started envisioning my success at SMC and getting accepted to Clemson and now it's a reality. Whatever it is you want in life, you need to start envisioning yourself in it.
Maybe you're at the second part of the key, the NOW. My advice to you is look at how far you've come and the progress you've made. Has it always been easy? No, but if it were easy, everyone would do it. But, has it been worth it? Yes. You've grown so much from where you've started from and I'm sure so many people are so proud of you and I am too and I congratulate you on your success and I wish you continued success in the future as you continue to elevate and move forward. I want you to know you are a one of a kind person created in the image of God and as long as you stay focused on Him, there is greater in store for you.
To summarize the three main points, I'd like to conclude with John 10:10. Part of the verse says: ".....I have come that they may have more life and have it more abundantly." So, if God called you to have life and have it more abundantly, then my question to you is, why haven't you let go? If you let go, you will truly begin to experience the Freedom of Release.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I would invite you to share it and let me know how my work has impacted you on my Facebook (Brandon Stockdale), Twitter and Instagram (1bstockdale). I believe I'm about to change people's lives through the gift of writing that God has blessed me with.
Til next time, More Blessings and More Life to you all
Brandon
Comments
Post a Comment