If you haven’t already, you may want to go back and read Raw, Guilt , Beginning, Anxiety, Seek, Stop, Pride, Surrender,  Peace, and Empty before reading this post.

I’ve been learning so much the past 14 months about letting go of self and surrendering my worries and needs to the Father. The scriptures have been speaking Truth into my life and for the first time, I’ve really been listening. Learning to die to self has been both painful and beautiful, and I dare say I’ve even grieved this death of self. But after death comes new life – and I am now able to truly enjoy the fullness of life that God promises us on this earth.

Am I worry free? Not yet, but I have learned the beauty of giving my anxious thoughts over to the Father. Old habits die hard. I have thorns in my flesh that would like to take over my life and force me back into my former way of thinking. I’m on a journey to continue growing in my new walk as I learn more and more about dying to self.

Is my life without hardship? No, that’s not what God promises. But He does promise to carry our burdens and to give us His peace. He can and He will and He does. Living in Jesus is glorious. Allowing Him to be for me what He promises and desires to be in my life is rich and powerful. When I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor. 12). Yes.  In the name of Jesus, yes!

Truth:  We can ask for anything in the name of Jesus and He will do it.

Jesus tells us this over and over. I counted this promise three times in John 14-16 alone. Jesus means it when He says this. Worried about something that you have no control over? Ask Jesus to overrule the worry and fill the hole with His peace. He WILL do it.

Truth:  His yoke is easy. His burden is light.

We can continue to carry our burdens on our own, lugging the heavy weight of worry, anxt, fear, or guilt around everywhere we go. It will wear us out, disrupt our sleep, make us depressed, and get us absolutely nowhere. Or we can gratefully surrender our burden to the One who is already carrying it for us. Why do we try to do what we know we can not do? Jesus asks us to let Him give us rest. Give Him your burden. Then breathe deeply and enjoy the comfort that comes from letting Him carry your load.

Truth:  The only One we need to aim to please is the Father.

Learning this truth has been life changing for me. As I recognize my need to let go of pride, and to focus on doing what God asks me to do – instead of constantly trying to gain the approval, recognition, or appreciation of those around me – I am experiencing His blessed gift of peace like never before. The blessing of seeking to please God alone is that by doing so, others are pleased too. Except for when they’re not.  But that is not my burden to bear. I can love people and point them to Jesus, but I cannot rescue, fix, or change anyone’s heart. I’ll do my job and let God do His.

This post ends this Raw series I’ve been honored to share with you about my journey to emotional healing. The series ends, but the journey continues. I am constantly growing, continually learning, and clearly recognizing my need for a Savior. I long to be whole, and I now realize that the only way to find true peace is to become broken at the feet of Jesus. His goodness overflows. His mercies are new every morning. He is what I can never be. And I am safely in His care.

While this specific series is ending, I will continue to listen to God’s leading and share truths and lessons He is teaching me.
Thank you for your kindness and love as I opened my heart in this series.