Letting Go to Letting Free – Part II

Letting Go to Letting Free – Part II

Forgiveness and Laying Down Every Weight

Hands open toward heaven, light shining down, symbolizing forgiveness and freedom

Introduction

In the first part of this series, we looked at how letting go opens the door to freedom. But if we are honest, there is one burden that silently weighs down many hearts—Unforgiveness. It’s not always visible, but it shows up in our emotions, our relationships, and even in how we view ourselves.

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to practice, yet it is one of the greatest keys to living free. To let go is to release the pain, but to truly let free is to forgive and walk unchained.

The Weight We Carry

Holding on to offense is like carrying a backpack filled with heavy stones. Every harsh word, every betrayal, every disappointment—we pack them inside and try to keep moving. But the truth is, it slows us down, drains our energy, and steals our joy.

Paul said it beautifully:

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
— Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)

You cannot run free while holding grudges. You cannot move forward while chained to the past.

Forgiveness: A Door to Freedom

Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was right. It doesn’t erase the pain or make the wrong suddenly fair. What forgiveness does is release you. It hands over the burden to God and allows Him to be the righteous Judge.

Jesus was very clear about it:

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
— Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV)

Forgiveness is not just about the other person—it’s about your own soul being set free.

When the Person You Struggle to Forgive Is You

Sometimes, we don’t struggle with forgiving others—we struggle with forgiving ourselves. Mistakes, regrets, and poor choices have a way of echoing in our hearts. We replay them again and again until shame becomes a prison.

But listen to this promise:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
— 1 John 1:9 (KJV)

If God Himself has forgiven you, then why keep punishing yourself? Letting go means leaving the past at the cross. Letting free means stepping into grace with no chains of guilt or condemnation.

Living Light, Living Free

Forgiveness is not a one-time event; it’s a daily choice. Every day, offenses may come, but every day we have the power to release them before they harden into bitterness.

Jesus invites us with these words:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

Rest comes when we stop carrying what was never ours to hold. Forgiveness hands the weight to Jesus, and He gives us peace in return.

A Personal Challenge

Take a moment today. Ask yourself:

  • Who do I need to forgive?

  • What weight am I still carrying that I need to lay down?

  • Am I still holding myself hostage to mistakes Christ has already forgiven?

When you forgive, the chains break. When you lay down every weight, you will finally breathe freely. When you surrender it all to Jesus, freedom begins.

Thought For You

Letting go is the first step. Forgiveness is the step that takes you further. And letting free? That’s the beautiful place where peace, healing, and wholeness live.

So today, dare to forgive. Dare to release the weight. Dare to live free.

References

  • The Holy Bible, King James Version

📌 Image source: Unsplash – Free to use

 

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