Life has a way of filling our hands and hearts with things we were never meant to carry forever. Regret, fear, shame, and the need to control or please others can quietly weigh us down, shaping our outlook and limiting our joy. Yet growth often begins with release. Letting go isn’t about forgetting or pretending struggles don’t exist; it’s about trusting that something better can take their place.
Here are six powerful things worth releasing to move forward with clarity and peace.
Learn to let go of the pain of regret. Everyone has moments they wish they could redo. Regret can linger, replaying old mistakes and missed opportunities until they feel like defining chapters of our identity. But the past does not have to dictate the future. Growth comes from learning — not from dwelling.
When we release regret, we create space for renewal. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen?” we begin asking “What can I become from here?” Forward movement starts when we trust that new beginnings are always possible. Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Learn to let go of the need for approval. The desire to be accepted is human, but living for others’ validation can become exhausting. When approval becomes the measure of worth, personal authenticity is easily lost.
Letting go of this need restores freedom. It allows decisions to come from conviction rather than comparison. Confidence grows when we stop seeking permission to be ourselves and start aligning with deeper purpose and values. Galatians 1:10 tells us, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Learn to let go of the desire to control. Control can feel like security, a way to guarantee outcomes or prevent disappointment. Yet life rarely unfolds exactly as planned. Clinging too tightly often leads to stress, frustration, and burnout.
Releasing control isn’t about giving up responsibility; it’s about embracing trust. It means doing your best while accepting that not everything is yours to manage. In that surrender, peace replaces pressure, and flexibility replaces fear. Proverbs 3:5 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Learn to let go of the shame of the past. Shame is heavier than regret. While regret focuses on actions, shame convinces us something is wrong with who we are. Carrying it isolates and discourages growth.
Letting go of shame allows healing to begin. It reminds us that identity is not permanently marked by past missteps. Self-compassion and acceptance help rewrite inner narratives — transforming them from condemnation into resilience and understanding. Psalms 34:5 gives us the reassurance that “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
Learn to let go of the fear of the future. Uncertainty can be unsettling. Fear of what lies ahead often leads to hesitation or avoidance, keeping opportunities just out of reach.
When we release fear, we step into possibility. Trusting that the future holds potential rather than threat encourages courage and curiosity. Instead of shrinking back, we begin moving forward, one hopeful step at a time. Jeremiah 29:11 lets us know, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Learn to let go of unforgiveness. Holding onto resentment binds us to pain long after the moment has passed. Forgiveness is often misunderstood as excusing harm, but in reality, it is an act of self-liberation.
Choosing forgiveness whether toward others or ourselves breaks bitterness’s hold. It doesn’t erase the past; it loosens its grip. In its place comes emotional freedom and the ability to move forward unburdened. Colossians 3:13 tells us to “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Letting go is not a one-time act, it’s a practice. It requires patience, reflection, and sometimes courage. But with every weight released, there is more room for peace, purpose, and growth.
By surrendering regret, approval-seeking, control, shame, fear, and unforgiveness, we open the door to a lighter and more grounded life. What we release does not define us but what we embrace afterward certainly can.
This week’s recipe is a yummy chicken stir fry. Feel free to change up the proteins that your family loves, like beef, ground turkey, or even shrimp. This recipe is a weeknight favorite because it is super yummy and super quick to prepare. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does.
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32
