Release

1. allow or enable to escape from confinement; set free.

2. allow (something) to move, act, or flow freely

I wasn’t looking for a word to define my 2023 but I was given a theme. I struggle with anxiety a bit and feeling like a ball full of ideas and energy and unfinished things. I was praying and asking God…why can’t I finish things? He answered.

The problem isn’t that I don’t finish things but rather that I don’t release them. It didn’t matter what IT was. IT was pretty much everything. A blog post. Something I was making. A song I had written. A word of encouragement for someone. A testimony of what God was doing in my life. A ministry God planted in me. The thought to make a phone call to a friend. The vast majority of things just stayed trapped inside of me or in a closet making clutter.

The problem is I don’t like to share things. IT makes me incredibly nervous. I suppose I have always felt that the external response to anything concerning me is my responsibility to control. So, rather than control it, I will just avoid it all together!

….Pretty unhealthy behavior. Emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

So far this year, I’ve released the ministry, the Facebook posts, the business, the phone calls, the encouragements, the testimonies….and I feel better and less anxious than ever! My mind is even clearer, even though I may be busier. More than all of this though, I feel exceedingly thankful to have a God who answers questions and knows me so much better than I know myself

He cares about us. He cares about our daily lives and activities. He leads us beside still waters, restores our souls and leads us in the paths of righteousness….for His name sake

He has a purpose and plans that I don’t have to understand but I do get the privilege of watching unfold. Both in my life and around the world.

He wants to give His children good gifts. He wants to grow us, guide us and heal all crooked ways in us. He wants to spend time with us and for us to obey His voice.

So, this blog post doesn’t have to be perfect today. Last year, I would’ve tucked it away with the hundreds of others that were never shared. There is more I could say, and I could list references and scripture and sharable images. But I don’t have time today for that. I’ve dinner to cook and papers to grade. So, I will release it as is and trust my Good Father. If this was meant to bless someone – it still will with all its imperfections!

Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. ❤