That Which Releases

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7,8 (New American Standard Bible)

We all have them! Questions that baffle us and answers that elude us. I called a friend last night and asked her something, hoping she would know what I was failing to see. She knows me well and knows the present path I walk…stumbles and all. I wanted to see if she knew what was hindering me from letting go of some things I was holding on to. What was the “hook” that kept me connected to something I really did want to be free from and all the emotions that come from remaining linked to it? While she did not have THAT answer, she did agree to pray about it with me and ask God to reveal what I needed to know.

That is exactly what Jesus is inviting us to do in today’s verse. We asked and the answer came to me this morning within the first few moments of being awake. God let me know something I was not doing that I needed to start doing in order to be released from the past. In essence He said, “You are not praising Me or thanking Me. Start doing both and you will experience the freedom you crave.” The simplicity of His answer was amazing yet profound. It was a basic I had missed and yet it was the very thing that was necessary.

When I look back I can see some things that I did which were good to do. I grieved and felt my emotions. I admitted what was going on inside me. I stated the truth of what God was doing in my life. I read books and sat under wise counsel. I opened closed fists and identified areas of resistance. But I failed to do all of that out of a heart filled with praise and thanksgiving. Hence, the “hook” stayed in place. So what does that praise and thanksgiving look like?

It starts with acknowledgement of who God is and what God is like. Praising Him for His attributes and character. The Psalms are filled with such praises. Joined to that are a multitude of things to be thankful for, such as: growth that is coming, His purposes that are being fulfilled, lessons being learned, gifts of friendship, ministry to others that will come, His comfort, His strength, His presence, His peace, and a growing awareness of my constant need of Him. It is what will bring release and I am thankful for God’s reminder to me.

Father, I asked and Your answer astounded me. May my praise and thanksgiving to You abound! Amen.