Too Much Baggage

By Paula Williamson guest writer

I’ve got too much baggage.

If we are alive, we have baggage. If we were unplanned, survived the birth trauma, had less than perfect parents, siblings, authority figures, been the recipient of unkind words or jokes, we have baggage. We all do. The question is–what do we do with it? Healing begins when we do three things: forgive others, forgive ourselves, and forgive God.

It is written:

PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Forgiveness begins the process of healing

Most of us think those who harmed us do not deserve forgiveness. That may be true, but forgiveness sets us free from the power of those who hurt us. Forgiveness is for us, not them. Once we forgive, the poison that causes bitterness to grow in us dissipates. Holding on to it destroys us and does nothing to them. Forgiveness is a choice that releases the baggage to its rightful owner.

Prayer

Lord, I have carried this baggage way too long. I’m tired. I don’t want to carry it anymore. With my spiritual fingers, I reach inside and pull out all the pain, betrayal, hurt, devastation, disappointment, and disbelief, and I place them into my hands. With my mouth, I simply state, “I choose to forgive those who hurt me. I choose to forgive myself for the parts I may have played, and I choose to forgive God for anything for which I blamed Him. I lift my hands to You, Lord, and let the baggage go.” Thank You, Lord, for taking it. I ask for healing for all the places in my heart and mind that pain occupies. You redeem. You heal. You give beauty for ashes.

Takeaway

I am free to walk away from baggage into a better future, wiser, forgiven, forgiving, healed, and free!