Letting Go

Ever heard this? “You need to let go of the past.” Or how about this one, “Stop carrying that anger. You just need to let it go.” What exactly is letting go?  

Holding on to pain and discomfort implies an internal struggle. Damning anger and rage are often rooted in the mistaken assumption that someone or some entity got away with malicious intent, and that’s just not fair. The struggle ensues when one vainly attempts to make sense out of something for which they have no control, yet demand righteous vindication and a payback. The payback never comes but the payout is continual: unforgiveness leads to bitterness. Bitterness can make one sick. Physically and emotionally sick. Research bears this out.

So what is letting go?  Letting go is the process of grieving the loss, forgiving, and “dropping the rock”. It is healthy to grieve a loss. I didn’t say it was easy but it is necessary. It’s also gradual. Forgiving means giving up the right to punish the other, even when it’s clear you’ve been wronged. Forgiving is not for the other person. It’s for you. It means, “I have no need to see the other punished.” For the Christian, and folks of faith, we have been forgiven much and are required to forgive.  

So what do we let go of? The struggle within to see a wrong righted. The demand for punishment to be exacted. The rock we fist for throwing at the other. Letting go is accepting the wrong. Yes, accepting the wrong.  When there is acceptance the struggle disappears. There is peace. Peace for the body, the mind and the soul.