You know that old saying it’s better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all.  While this is true as we think about not having regrets or losing someone we love to death, it is all together a different experience when we lose that relationship due to other circumstances.  And what usually comes with that loss is some baggage. 

It reminds me of my days as a gymnast.  Quite often I would practice new maneuvers on the beam. I didn’t get it right the first time but after falling and getting back up and trying again eventually I could do it. But each time as I got back up on the beam to try again, the thoughts of falling and failing, fear of not being able to trust my self, and anxiety were at the forefront of my mind.  That baggage (thoughts, questions, and feelings) I chose to bring to that next experience on the beam. I had the opportunity to leave it behind me so it would not impact my next maneuver.  Did you catch that? I chose to bring them! The baggage I brought with me prolonged my advancement. 

My question to you and myself is why do we choose to bring that baggage with us and allow it to impact our lives? What benefit does it provide?  How do we get rid of that baggage so it doesn’t effect our lives?

First, we must allow God to heal our broken hearts completely. 
Psalm 34:18 NKJV The Lord  is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psalm 147:3 NKJV He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

Second, we must leave the baggage behind us.  It is under the blood of Christ. Old things have passed away.  ALL things have passed away.  Don’t pick up the baggage again.  
2 corinthians 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he  is  a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Luke 5:37-38 NKJV And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined.  But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

Third, we MUST continue to engage with others, trust again and be vulnerable with others. If we stop doing this then the enemy has won by keeping you in a place of fear, worry, anxiety that the situation may happen again. Honestly, it probably will happen again because we are all broken. But by the grace of God, we must not allow the baggage to impact our future.

Luke 4:18 NKJV “The  Spirit of the Lord  is  upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to  the  poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to  the  captives And recovery of sight to  the  blind, To  set at liberty those who are oppressed;
My friend, let’s lose that baggage and move forward this year to big things for God!
-Jenn M. 

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