Read

Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

Matthew 6:14-15: "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Think

Have you ever traveled with an overstuffed suitcase? It's cumbersome, heavy, and often causes complications at check-in counters. Similarly, our emotional baggage—like past hurts, disappointments, and unresolved conflicts—weighs us down in our daily lives. Just as that overstuffed suitcase can hinder a journey, unchecked emotional baggage can prevent us from truly moving forward, experiencing freedom, and living out the abundant life God intends for us.

Proverbs warns us about the dangers of unchecked emotions Whether it’s pride, resentment, bitterness, or unresolved grief, it can lead to our downfall. When not addressed, these emotions become stumbling blocks, causing dysfunction and strained relationships.

However, there's hope. We begin the healing process by identifying these destructive patterns and surrendering them to God. Forgiveness plays a pivotal role in this. It's not about ignoring the pain or saying what happened was okay. Instead, forgiveness is about releasing the burden, freeing our hearts from the weight of past hurt, and moving forward with God's grace and strength.

Apply

Today, take a few moments to reflect on the emotional baggage you might be holding on to. Is there someone you need to forgive? A situation you need to surrender? Approach God in prayer, seeking his guidance in releasing these burdens. Experience the freedom from letting go and walking in God's glorious light.

Pray

Lord, help me identify the emotional baggage weighing me down. Grant me the strength to surrender my pains and hurts to you and to walk in the freedom of forgiveness. In Jesus' name. Amen.