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Letting Go of the Familiar
This excerpt from the Women’s Devotional Bible reminds us that we have the strength to change.
But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.—Genesis 19:26
Letting go of the familiar is tough. Changing careers or colleges or moving to a new city can take an emotional toll on us. It’s even more difficult to leave behind old habits, attitudes and behaviors.
Lot’s wife wasn’t able to let go of her home in Sodom, even though God sent angels to warn her family to run for their lives because judgment was coming. In fact, the angels’ warnings included such grave commands as “Don’t look back” and “Don’t stop.”
Why in the world did this woman choose to stop and look back? Could it be that she loved the life she was leaving too much? Though Sodom was full to overflowing with sin and vice, apparently the dark and oppressive city was comfortably familiar to Lot’s wife.
It is difficult to leave the familiar behind. That fact is as true today as it was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction—even when God himself is saying, “It’s time to move on.” If you’ve ever struggled with a destructive habit, you’ve felt the pull of the familiar—even as you’ve sensed God’s nudge, “Move on now.” You’ve experienced the temptation to turn back just one more time, for one last look, one last taste, one last “fix”—even as God has whispered, “Don’t look back.” Maybe you’ve agonized over a loved one’s downward spiral, desperately attempting to rescue them time and time again—until finally God impressed upon you, “Stop. Let go.”
The Women's Devotional Bible will help you apply God's Word to your daily life. It includes a full year of all-new devotions written by women of God, plus features that make this Bible engaging, practical, and versatile.
Unlike Lot’s wife, none of us has ever become a pillar of salt by turning back for one last peek. Yet we all struggle with the difficulties of letting go of the old in order to grasp the new. Take heart. God understands that letting go of the familiar is hard. Yet he has called us to move on to new life in Jesus Christ by letting go of our old worldly lives, our old habits, our old dreams—to boldly move forward without looking back. When you feel God’s call to move, allow him to guide you. He will give you the grace to do whatever he has asked.
Reflection
What does the passage in today’s reading teach you about letting go in order to move forward?
Why is it so difficult sometimes to let go of the past?
What is one thing you think God may be asking you to let go of right now? Spend some time praying that God will help you let go of whatever is hindering you from moving forward in your spiritual journey.
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Your Comments
My prayers are with you all. I too have been struggling with major changes in my life. I am having difficulty letting go of the past. I am in my early 50's, newly divorced after almost 30 years of marriage. God has put opportunities in my path - a good job (the first one I applied for), new home, friends who have been through what I am going through. It is as though He is leading me to a new life and yet I continue to look back with regret and alot of "if onlys". If only I would've been more patient, more loving, not struggled with emotions and depression... I am mourning the loss of my dreams of a united family, being part of my sons lives, friends that felt they had to choose sides. It is hard to forgive myself and my former spouse and to let go and move forward.
My thanks to all of you for sharing your stories. I needed to hear from those of you who are dealing with a loved one's addictions and recovery. I'm going through that, too, and this past week--past month!--has been especially challenging. My husband and I are at a point in our lives, too, that we must move on. Thank you, God, for putting these messages and encouragement in our lives.
As I set here thinking of how great God is now in my late fifty and a second marriage, I beleive God has given me the okay to look back from where he brought me from, drinking and smoking was a love for me until now that I realized that it was God who directed my path, I got married to a man that made drugs his first love and I tried to do what God has done to him now,so he sent me on my way, because there was nothing that I could do for him, today he has given his life to christ, because withou him he could have not made 10 years of no drugs or alcohol, I wanted to look back but God said go on child. I cried to him to remove the love of smoking and drinking from me and he has, and I to have not looked back on any of those nasty things, well to follow christ is good, I dont have any degrees, just a thought to start a new business of candles, after 20 years of Child Care, I feel that God is telling me to move on and now I have this feeling of should I and could I, but I to must trust in God, Because he said that I could do all thing through him if I just Trust
I, too, have a problem with looking back at the familiar. I just ended my marriage to an addict. He would binge on drugs (I think mostly crack cocaine) for days, weeks, or even months at a time. I was young and naive, so I would believe him each and every time he came back down off his high. Then he would straighten up and get a job, make some money, pay some bills, and otherwise play the "good husband" role. But sooner than later, he would start heavily drinking again. Eventually he exchanged the alcohol for drugs. And the cycle would start over. After 11 years of this vicious cycle, I was done. But I was too nostalgic to leave. I stayed in the marriage for those last four years knowing that I was unhappy and trying to hide how much I hated my husband for not being the Christian I wanted him to be. BUT GOD showed me the light. He gave me the courage to leave a dead marriage and move on towards the future that He wants for me. I am in a new relationship now with a man who is also in recovery. We have a brand new baby girl which I have been wanting for at least six years. You know, that's what we are all doing - trying to recover from our past lives. And it is really comforting to know that God is waiting for the opportunity to reward our faithfulness with our heart's desires. This excerpt has reminded me of how important it is to keep moving forward with the plan that God has for my life. Lord God, I am not looking back. Amen.
This message is for me, I pray to God to help me with this problem, Looking Back, Worrie about what people would say and think of me. It is time for God people to move forward and stop looking back, Yes I am preaching to self. N
God does it again. He puts a message in my path just when I need it. I have decided to let go of much in 2012 and this message reaffirms my decision. I will gain so much more letting God be #1 in my life.
This message screamed out loud & clear to me yesterday, then again. It's right on time as I was seriously about to give in to something that I know is wrong, and God knows that I know it's wrong. Thanks to Him for putting this right in my face. I will not look back. Amen. :-)
Wow! A dear friend sent this to me! TY Jesus! I have been dating a man for almost 6 years. I let him live with me for six month's at the beginning. I asked him to move out when he told me he didn't know if he would ever get married. I still dated him and loved him and hoped he would change his mind so I stayed. He even had a heart attack during this time and he still would not go to church with me even when he felt Jesus stop his pain when I laid hands on him and prayed. I got really sick one day (12-8-11) and I asked him to meet me at the doctors office and I had told him if the doctor didn't help me I would need to go to the Emergency Room. I got to the doctor first (before him) and when back there the doctor gave me meds and I throw it up. Then he gave me a shot. I was back there about 1 1/2 hrs. When it was time to leave I could not find my boyfriend so I called him he was on his way home. (He got tired of waiting) I called my mom who does not drive my cousin and her husband was there so they came and got me. My mom told me later if I called 1 min. later I would have missed her she was standing in the door way getting ready to leave.
They came and got me and took me to the ER. 4-5 hrs later (Do you think my boyfriend would have waited NOT...) they found my problem I had to have emergence surgery my appendix was ready to burst. It was so bad the Doctor but it in a bag to bring it out of me. During this time before surgery I went some where in my mind with Jesus.
I was not in pain there!!! I was in a room with a long bar on the wall (like a loading bar on the computer) In the right corner of the bar was a black box and the rest of the bar was blue. As I looked upon the black box I could feel the worst fear I had ever felt... in it was what if it burst was I going to die what if what if. I had never felt this much fear before and it was awful! Then as I looked at the blue box .... I felt happy, safe and at peace in a floating state there. I knew Jesus was there with me. I had to make a choice which place I was going to let my mind be. I jumped on the blue part of the bar and started praying and asking Jesus to carry me and I floated out of my mind in peace with Jesus. I had the surgery and EVERYTHING was perfect even recovery.
That man came to see me the next day in the hospital. The very next day he dropped me like a hot potato. As I have been healing I would think about this man and sometimes I would miss him and it would be very sad for me. But Jesus was faithful he brought back the bar for me in my mind. He showed me that I could allow myself to think on these things over and over again( I was re-thinking about this even though I knew I didn't want to be married to a man who would treat me like this) or I could think on him and allow him to lead me and direct my steps toward my future. Jesus tells us allot of things like think on things that are good and true and pure....to be evenly yoke in marriage.(both people needs to love God) My Dad told me before he died he had learned when problems came he would do what he could and if it was out of his hands to fix it, he would take it to Jesus and hope for the best. I asked Jesus to help me to let my thoughts be in line with his thoughts. Jesus loved me so much he carried me thought all this and taught me so much during this time! I know he will help all of you if you only asked him and are willing to listen. We all have a choice to think on things that give us depression and fear or to think on things that give us hope and happiness. Jesus said FEAR NOT for I have over come the world. My next step is to stop smoking! With Jesus help I can do anything. Gods love to all of you may you find your way through him! Amen! Thank you Jesus for your Mercy,love and guidance as we find our way.
I understand what you're going through. I'm going through a similar situation with a man who treated me badly. I miss the good parts about him but they are outweighed by the bad. I need to stop looking back and feeling sad about the loss of him in my life. My friends all told me to leave him a long time ago but I hung in there hoping he would realize how much I mean to him. I'll pray for you, Kay, and hope that you improve you continue to improve your life. I'll try to control my sad thoughts and replace them with happy thoughts of my many blessings in life.
I just read this. I’m in my early 50s trying to figure out what I’m to do with the rest of my life. I recently obtained a college degree and have no job, yet I sense the Lord wants me to move, but to where I do not know. Am I to stay in this area or move out of state? I feel a sense of nostalgia living here the past four years even though I don’t have any close friends or family nearby. I’ve made this apartment homey. It feels comfortable. This article brought tears to my eyes as I sense it is a word in due season. At least I know God will be with me and leading me.
Mary , I can't even imagine how fearful the uncertainty of your future must be.I don't know you but I'll pray for you.I can sort of relate:I'm 44 & think my marriage is in trouble.I've been a housewife for almost 20 years.Not really sure what my future holds either...I pray for direction.The lord says to cast your care on him because he cares for you.
I am having great difficulty letting go of past memories, especially of the people that used to be in my life during the holidays. I find myself now middle-aged, living alone, new city, difficulty making friends due to CFIDS illness, low self esteem, family and friends has pulled away from me. Painful hardly describes how this situation is to me. Its been a hard year but my hope is that things are about to turn around.
I know it's very difficult and you feel so alone but please be encouraged that you are not alone.God is there with you. I also am struggling with feeling really depressed. This is my first year almost alone. There are a lot of family issues and division going on as well as a separation. It has been very painful as well to let go after having had my life being defined by the roles of wife and mother.One of my favorite verses that I have hanging in my home is Philippians 4.13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
After living in one location for the last 58 years we moved to a new city to be closer to our son. But I am having a hard time not looking back. New city, don't know anyone, searching for a new church home, etc. It is hard and I find myself getting very depressed and then I get this message. Maybe God is really telling me to now look back and be happy with what I have and let him guide me into this new life.
I want to say a prayer for all who struggle with addictions, because I too am trying to overcome alcohol and tobacco. It's so odd what a strangle-hold addiction can have. I remind myself that it is a tool Satin thinks he can have over us to separate us from GOD. I choose to keep asking GOD for help.
God is great, my problem is drinking and smoking, for awhile back I quite both but recently I went back, on reading this morning, I believe my struggle are over thanking God for this message and I promise myself with the help of Holy Spirit I will stop Am thanking God for His marvelous work on me Halleluya amen.
may god continue to bless and keep you.I know what you're speaking of cause i'm going through the same thing now. god took the craving for cigaretts away from me 8 months ago and i haven't went back and i stop drinking a month ago and every day it seems like i think about it. it's hard but i can do all things through christ!!
I have felt stuck for awhile in all of the past. It is time and God Has waited patiently for me to get to the point of being able to go on...Thank you, Heavenly Father!
woke up knowing back to work tomorrow and the struggles that await with a particular co-worker and this message was waiting for me. Thank you so much Lord for reaffirming that you are always with me and know my stuggles. With your love and understanding I will be able to "Let Go and not look back"
My problem is trying to keep rescuing my son from his drug problem . I feel like He needs me and I keep trying , but maybe he needs to be trying hard . He is trying to teach me to let go and let God . We are both trying with each other .
This is my problem too, a child that I know has a alcohol and tobacco problem and also a very demonic girlfriend. I have tryed now for 3 years to help him and guide him and he does not hear anything I say anymore. I have GOT to let it go, I tell myself this and then I grab it back. I have said in 2012 I will let go and will begin a New Year Free! It is very hard to watch your child make very damaging lifetime mistakes.
My son was addicted to crystal meth. He was so bad at one time, he looked like someone from a WWII concentration camp! He failed at one rehab, then went into another two-year program. The issue is, God is in control of everything! We love our children, but God loves them even more, and He loves them unconditionally! I had a very hard time surrendering my son into God's care; it took me a long time to be able to do it. But when I did, I found a peace that surpasses all understanding. And God definitely has taken care of my son; he just celebrated seven years sober! Thank you, Jesus!
Exactly what I was thinking about as I read this article -- only it is my husband's drug problem. I know I can't save him or do this for him. Maybe I need to let go. Hard, though, isn't it?
Jesus you are great .
dont look back is so true .
i just mailed my old boss merry xmas and lo i get this mail telling me not to look back .my God is an awesome God ,He really guides and protect me .
Praise God
Preetha
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