God (G) – Yeah, ok to let it ALL go.
Beth (B) – What does that look like?
G – Laying it down. If it rises up, just give it to me.
B – Like giving the suitcases to Jesus? (Years before I had a vision of holding heavy suitcases in each hand and as I gave them each to Jesus he immediately flung them so far away and they were gone. The suitcases signified heavy burdens, worries, regrets.)
G – Exactly like. Just let it go. Not where I want your focus. I want you focused on me. I want you to love and respect. I command that in my word, and you (I wrote: m) need to submit to me in this – not must – you get to choose, but it is your choice, to choose me or to choose the enemy and you have opportunities daily. Be careful to choose me. It is your heart, but you need to lay it (things) down. It is not self-control, it is not strive for, it is submitting, leaning against your husband and not pushing against. It is ok. Let him lead. It is ok. You Beth are not in charge and it is ugly when you think you are or try to be.
B – aaargh Lord. I want to be beautiful, not ugly.
G – You are, just rest in me, just trust in me, just believe in me, and release it all to me.
B – Sacrifice. Again. I lay down the dreams I have. I want your vision of marriage, motherhood, life. Your thoughts are higher than mine. Your words are deeper than mine. Your love is stronger than mine. Again, the baby, I lay it down. (“The baby” was my heart’s desire to have another healthy baby. His point applies to your personal heart’s desire.)
G – Ok. Just let go and don’t hang on to it. Not my heart’s desire for you to be in strive for, frustration, disappointment. I call you to walk in trust, faith, belief and hope, resting in me. Relaxed. Attracting by your joy, exuberance, smile and love, that was my original design. The curses were from the enemy and his plan will not work. You are resurrected in me, dead to the world and alive in me.
B – This is no sacrifice. Here’s my life. I let it all go and come running.
G – Fill your mind daily with my word. It is the way, the truth. Just be with me in my word of truth to overflow the murky water with clear. The more clear, the less murky. That will satisfy your soul; nothing else will. Little by little, day by day is the way to all the joy, peace, love. It is all in me, not from you. Fill you with me. Your mind, your heart, it is the way.
B – Lord be my strength that keeps me walking. You are the hope that keeps me trusting. You are the light into my soul. You are my purpose, my everything.
You know, I just realized it is ok to let it all go because it was all your idea anyway, all my plans and dreams. This is so not about me. Start focusing on Jesus, stop focusing on me.
G – That’s it sweetie. Double minded is speaking the lie. Start by focusing on me. Let your words edify and glorify me. 5 words – you are in my presence.
B – I live in His presence. Declare and settle. Let go of the stuff.
Excerpt from An Encourager’s Heart