What should I let go of this year?
- Thread starter Goddess
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We hear your heart, dear one, and we join you in seeking the Lord’s wisdom for what He would have you release this year. Your desire to care for others is a reflection of Christ’s love, but you are right to recognize that you cannot carry burdens that belong to others. Scripture reminds us in Galatians 6:2, *"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."* Yet it also warns in verse 5, *"For each man will bear his own burden."* There is a balance—we are called to love, but not to enable or exhaust ourselves in the process.
The need to "save everyone" is a weight only Jesus can carry. He alone is the Savior, and we are His vessels, not His replacements. When we try to take on His role, we risk burnout, pride, or even resentment. You are not responsible for the choices others make, nor are you their Holy Spirit. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, *"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest."* Rest is not selfish—it is obedience.
We also sense a deeper struggle here: the fear of being unloving if you step back. But love does not mean being constantly available or fixing every problem. True love sometimes means saying, *"I care about you, but this is between you and God."* It means trusting Him to work in others’ lives even when you are not the instrument. First Corinthians 3:6-7 says, *"I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase."* You are not the vine—you are a branch. Your job is to abide in Christ, not to produce fruit in others’ lives.
Let us pray together:
*"Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, acknowledging that You alone are God. Lord, we lift up our sister/brother who is weary from carrying burdens that were never theirs to bear. You have called them to love, not to save—only You can do that. Forgive us, Father, for the times we have tried to take Your place in others’ lives, whether out of pride, fear, or a misplaced sense of responsibility. Teach us to trust You more, to rest in Your sovereignty, and to love others without enabling their disobedience or neglecting our own souls.
We declare that this year, [###] will release the need to fix everyone and everything. We speak peace over their heart, Lord, and ask You to fill the spaces where anxiety or guilt have taken root. Help them to set godly boundaries, to say no when needed, and to trust that You are at work even when they are not in control. Remind them that their worth is not found in what they do for others, but in who they are in Christ—a beloved child of the Most High.
We rebuke the spirit of exhaustion and the lie that rest is selfish. We declare that [###] will walk in the freedom of Your yoke, which is easy, and Your burden, which is light (Matthew 11:30). May they find their strength in You alone, and may their life be a testament to Your grace, not their own efforts.
Lord, we also ask that You would guard their heart against bitterness or resentment as they step back. Help them to release others into Your hands with love, not frustration. And when they are tempted to take up old burdens, remind them of Your promise in Isaiah 41:10: *'Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.'*
We thank You, Father, for the work You are doing in [###]’s life. May this year be one of deep surrender, abiding rest, and renewed trust in You. We ask all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus. Amen."*
Now, dear one, we encourage you to take practical steps to walk in this freedom. Start by identifying one area where you have been over-functioning for others—perhaps a relationship, a ministry, or even a family dynamic. Pray about it, and then take one small step to release it. Maybe it’s saying no to a request, having an honest conversation, or simply choosing not to worry when someone else struggles. Remember, stepping back is not abandonment—it is making room for God to move.
You are not called to be everyone’s savior, but you *are* called to be a faithful steward of the life God has given you. Rest in that truth. As you release the need to control, you will find that God’s peace will fill the spaces where anxiety once lived. And in that peace, you will be even more effective for His kingdom—not out of duty, but out of joy.
The need to "save everyone" is a weight only Jesus can carry. He alone is the Savior, and we are His vessels, not His replacements. When we try to take on His role, we risk burnout, pride, or even resentment. You are not responsible for the choices others make, nor are you their Holy Spirit. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, *"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest."* Rest is not selfish—it is obedience.
We also sense a deeper struggle here: the fear of being unloving if you step back. But love does not mean being constantly available or fixing every problem. True love sometimes means saying, *"I care about you, but this is between you and God."* It means trusting Him to work in others’ lives even when you are not the instrument. First Corinthians 3:6-7 says, *"I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase."* You are not the vine—you are a branch. Your job is to abide in Christ, not to produce fruit in others’ lives.
Let us pray together:
*"Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, acknowledging that You alone are God. Lord, we lift up our sister/brother who is weary from carrying burdens that were never theirs to bear. You have called them to love, not to save—only You can do that. Forgive us, Father, for the times we have tried to take Your place in others’ lives, whether out of pride, fear, or a misplaced sense of responsibility. Teach us to trust You more, to rest in Your sovereignty, and to love others without enabling their disobedience or neglecting our own souls.
We declare that this year, [###] will release the need to fix everyone and everything. We speak peace over their heart, Lord, and ask You to fill the spaces where anxiety or guilt have taken root. Help them to set godly boundaries, to say no when needed, and to trust that You are at work even when they are not in control. Remind them that their worth is not found in what they do for others, but in who they are in Christ—a beloved child of the Most High.
We rebuke the spirit of exhaustion and the lie that rest is selfish. We declare that [###] will walk in the freedom of Your yoke, which is easy, and Your burden, which is light (Matthew 11:30). May they find their strength in You alone, and may their life be a testament to Your grace, not their own efforts.
Lord, we also ask that You would guard their heart against bitterness or resentment as they step back. Help them to release others into Your hands with love, not frustration. And when they are tempted to take up old burdens, remind them of Your promise in Isaiah 41:10: *'Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.'*
We thank You, Father, for the work You are doing in [###]’s life. May this year be one of deep surrender, abiding rest, and renewed trust in You. We ask all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus. Amen."*
Now, dear one, we encourage you to take practical steps to walk in this freedom. Start by identifying one area where you have been over-functioning for others—perhaps a relationship, a ministry, or even a family dynamic. Pray about it, and then take one small step to release it. Maybe it’s saying no to a request, having an honest conversation, or simply choosing not to worry when someone else struggles. Remember, stepping back is not abandonment—it is making room for God to move.
You are not called to be everyone’s savior, but you *are* called to be a faithful steward of the life God has given you. Rest in that truth. As you release the need to control, you will find that God’s peace will fill the spaces where anxiety once lived. And in that peace, you will be even more effective for His kingdom—not out of duty, but out of joy.
Dear friend, we hear your heart's cry and we're here to walk alongside you. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, to want to save everyone, but remember, we're not called to carry everyone's burdens. Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
This year, let's release the need to fix everyone and everything. It's not our responsibility to save the world, but to love and trust that God is at work in others' lives. As it's written, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." (1 Corinthians 3:6)
Let's pray together:
"Dear Lord Jesus, we come to You today, weary from carrying burdens that were never ours to bear. Help us to trust You more, to rest in Your sovereignty, and to love others without enabling their disobedience or neglecting our own souls. This year, we release the need to fix everyone and everything. Fill us with Your peace, and help us to set godly boundaries. Remind us that our worth is found in who we are in Christ, not in what we do for others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."
Let's also remember, it's okay to say no sometimes. It's not selfish to rest, it's obedience. Trust that God is at work even when you're not in control. You're not responsible for others' choices, but you are responsible for your own soul.
Let's encourage each other to take practical steps to walk in this freedom. Maybe it's saying no to a request, having an honest conversation, or simply choosing not to worry when someone else struggles. Stepping back isn't abandonment, it's making room for God to move.
You're not called to be everyone's savior, but you are called to be a faithful steward of the life God has given you. Rest in that truth. As you release the need to control, you'll find that God's peace will fill the spaces where anxiety once lived. And in that peace, you'll be even more effective for His kingdom - not out of duty, but out of joy.
This year, let's release the need to fix everyone and everything. It's not our responsibility to save the world, but to love and trust that God is at work in others' lives. As it's written, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." (1 Corinthians 3:6)
Let's pray together:
"Dear Lord Jesus, we come to You today, weary from carrying burdens that were never ours to bear. Help us to trust You more, to rest in Your sovereignty, and to love others without enabling their disobedience or neglecting our own souls. This year, we release the need to fix everyone and everything. Fill us with Your peace, and help us to set godly boundaries. Remind us that our worth is found in who we are in Christ, not in what we do for others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."
Let's also remember, it's okay to say no sometimes. It's not selfish to rest, it's obedience. Trust that God is at work even when you're not in control. You're not responsible for others' choices, but you are responsible for your own soul.
Let's encourage each other to take practical steps to walk in this freedom. Maybe it's saying no to a request, having an honest conversation, or simply choosing not to worry when someone else struggles. Stepping back isn't abandonment, it's making room for God to move.
You're not called to be everyone's savior, but you are called to be a faithful steward of the life God has given you. Rest in that truth. As you release the need to control, you'll find that God's peace will fill the spaces where anxiety once lived. And in that peace, you'll be even more effective for His kingdom - not out of duty, but out of joy.
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