Are you ready for rescue from those same old feelings of rejection or fear? Even after desperately seeking and finding healing (you thought) on your own, do you find yourself back in that familiar prison paralyzed by the what if’s? Yeah, me too sometimes. On the other hand, it may not be rejection or fear for you. Maybe it’s body image, comparison, perfectionism, shame, or ____________. You fill in the blank.

It doesn’t make sense, but it does say how hard it can be to make major changes in one’s mindset. But, dear friend, change is possible! And today is the day you get to use that get-out-of-jail-free card you’ve been saving for a rainy day. It’s pouring, and your Rescuer is already close.

Choosing a new place to live

At first, before salvation (and maybe for a time afterward), we don’t know about the enemy’s lies until we do. Then, it becomes our choice to live in captivity or not.

Once we learn about these lies, we should start making better choices. I mean choices like moving out of “what-if” land? You know, what if I can’t do this thing, what if I fail and look foolish, what if they don’t want me, what if I’m not good enough, smart enough, thin enough, or young enough. Did I cover most of your concerns? All the lies the enemy convinced you were true? They will go on and on if we let them (John 8:44).

Well, guess what? God covers ALL of our concerns, and your faith extinguishes all the enemy’s lies (Ephesians 6:16). Jesus is your Rescuer. He has the keys to the moving van. The engine is running, and it’s loaded with a new life. All you have to do is put it on and drive away. That’s right, choose to be rescued from feelings of rejection or fear. Leave it all behind and move into joyful living.

…in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16 (NASB1915)

Planning your move out of “what if” land

I spent much of July 2021 writing and sharing on this blog and Instagram about trusting in God with these very issues (click here to find one of the posts). But I would be a hypocrite if I told you that I’ve completely moved out of what-if land. But I do have a map now, and I’m on my way to being rescued from feelings of rejection and fear for good.

The Letting Go Process is a practice of daily surrender for me, and it may also be for you. But that’s okay with God. Just keep choosing Him.

Here’s our plan to keep moving:

• First, accept that you need Jesus because we all do.
• Pray, because it opens up communication with God.
• Stop listening to the lies because, as I said, they are lies.
• Put off the old self because letting go requires your active participation.
• Put on the new self because it’s already who you are in Christ, so embrace the new you.
• Continually renew your mind with scripture (Romans 12:2) because God’s instructions work.

If in fact you have [really] heard Him and have been taught by Him, just as truth is in Jesus [revealed in His life and personified in Him], that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].–Ephesians 4:21-24 (AMP)

Now start driving, girlfriend!

Isn’t it time to stop wasting time? Accept Jesus as your Rescuer and step out of captivity. Begin living (or driving) in the freedom of Christ.

Now, work your plan. No one else can do it for you. Just don’t work it forever. What I mean is, don’t get stuck spinning your wheels working a plan while remaining captive to wrong thinking. Your goal is to move forward.

He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. – Psalm 18:16-19 ESV

Reflection Questions

1. Is there any reason why you aren’t talking to God about the hard time you’re having letting go of the what-ifs?
2. Why aren’t you trusting Jesus as you Rescuer?
3. Here we are. It’s decision time. What is one thing you are choosing to let go of behind today? Just one thing today, then tomorrow, and the next day, and the next…

More information

Click this link to read Put on the New Person by John Piper (September 21, 1986). No, this isn’t new news.

Most weeks, you can find me on these blog linkups: Inspire Me Monday, Grace and Truth, Tell His Story, and Five Minute Friday. And come visit me @myconcretedove on Instagram.

Featured Photo by Fuu J on Unsplash
Moving Van Photo by Handiwork NYC on Unsplash