We Need to Let it Go!

Once in a great while a song comes along that evolves into the viral soundtrack of a culture…

Unfortunately, these songs usually carry the unsurpassed genius and gripping lyrics of jingles like Friday (remember that one?) and Gangham Style.

Yikes.

But refreshingly, the current tune du jour is obviously the smash hit from the film that smashed every other film in revenue this year called Frozen.  In case you are keeping up, Frozen has earned over a BILLION dollars, and there is no sign of this avalanche of success slowing down soon.

Of course the song to which I refer is the one that has probably made its way into your iPod this past month called Let it Go.

Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door

See what I mean?  I bet the tune is coursing through your neural pathways even as we speak- right?  And no wonder, it is a dominant ditty that has inspired perhaps millions.

And perhaps the most interesting thing that I’ve noticed from the popularity of Let it Go is the obvious common theme that runs through humanity:

We all need to let it go!

But what exactly is “it”?  If you can answer that question, you are well on your way to discovering the path and the plans that God has for you.  But as long as you let “it” stand in your way, you will be, well, frozen in your circumstances.

I love the context for Let it Go in the film, because it is a great visual of what we need to do to find the things that should be left behind in our hearts and minds.  Just like Elsa, we need to put some space between our past and our present to get some perspective:

It’s funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can’t get to me at all

And when we get right down to it, that is exactly what “it” is for the vast majority of us- in a word, fear.

I’m not talking about legitimate fears like the zombie apocalypse or our worries about Beyonce and Jay Z making it in their marriage- I mean the deeply rooted and fundamental anxieties that paralyze our emotions and keep us from the abundant and fulfilling life that Jesus sacrificed His life to give us.

Fear of failure
Fear of change
Fear of risk
Fear of rejection
Fear of death

And yes…even fear of life!

The bad news is that you really can’t “positively think” your way out of your fears any more than a fish can “think” itself out of the fishbowl.  We swim in our fears and our circumstances are the bowls that keep us trapped.

But there is a way out.

The only thing that can provide us with the distance necessary to see our fears as small and help us let it go is the truth of God’s word, and here is the promise you need to claim and download into your brain:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)

Here is the way the Amplified Bible puts it:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

The key to letting “it” go is to realize first that God is not the source of your fears.  The Enemy has crept in your thoughts and created cowardice and cringing, but you do not have to stay trapped in a castle of anxiety wearing the gloves that would keep you from bringing God’s love and power to the world.

Deep inside every Christ follower is the same power that brought Jesus back from the dead- so you need look no further than the presence of the Holy Spirit in your soul to find power, calmness, and complete self-discipline.

The turning point for Elsa was when she witnessed the self-sacrifice of her sister Anna.  In the face of her selfless love and willingness to give her life, Elsa was truly able to conquer her fears and let it go.

So why should it be any different for us?  In the face of Jesus we see the greatest love in all eternity.  On the hands of Jesus we see the scars that show the greatest sacrifice made on our behalf.

Isn’t it time we let it go and start following in the footsteps of the Savior who let heaven go so we could be with Him for eternity?

Let it go friends… for your sake, for Jesus sake, and for the sake of THE Cause!

Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action

The popularity of Let it Go demonstrates that there is a general need in our culture to let go of some things.  Use this opportunity this week for THE Cause to talk about how a relationship with Jesus allows us to let go of our fears.

Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause

Pray: Dear Father, thank you for giving us a spirit of power and love, and please help us let go of the fears that keep us from serving You.  Give us wisdom in reaching our friends and who are letting their fears keep them from seeking You.

Read: Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Get: The Evangephobia 30-day student devotional will help you face your fears and fuel your passion when it comes to evangelism. Check it out in the store here.