In response to my previous article, one reader asked me about how one can possibly let go of worries, anger and pain brought about by the past when these are real emotions and real concerns that we just cannot kiss goodbye just because we are about to start a new year.
It’s a very valid question especially as we are about to make a conscious decision on how we want to live the coming 2017.
True, human as we are, letting go of the negative may be so hard to do. That is why we need God’s help to start fresh with a new clean heart and enlightened spirit knowing that God can help us do things we cannot otherwise do on our own. That is why we get our strength from the Lord in our moments of weakness, but we need to will it first to seek Him.
This is not the same as not doing anything and just waiting for God to do what He has to do. No — we have to continue doing our best and honor God with our lives, knowing in our heart that God loves us and will only do what is best for us. All is well. All will be well.
Let me share with you a prayer that personally means so much to me. I do not know who wrote it but I hope this will give you the discernment, grace and blessings you need as you release 2016 and look forward with faithful anticipation to 2017:
HEAVENLY FATHER,
I release to You the burdens that I have been carrying, burdens that You never intended for me to carry. I cast all my cares upon You — all my worries, all my fears. You have told me to not be anxious about anything, but rather to bring everything to You in prayer with thankfulness.
FATHER, calm my restless spirit, quiet my anxious heart, still my troubling thoughts with the assurance that You are in control. I let go of my grip upon the things I have been hanging onto, with open hands I come to You. I release to Your will all that I am trying to manipulate. I release to Your authority all that I am trying to control. I release to Your timing all that I have been striving to make happen.
I THANK YOU for Your promise to sustain me, and guard all that I have entrusted to Your keeping. Protect my heart and mind with Your peace, the peace that passes all understanding.
FATHER, may Your will be done in my life, in Your time, and in Your way.
HAVE A BLESSED, PEACEFUL AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
