Holding your arm out steadying your shot, you place an arrow on the string and rest it on top of your hand. Pulling your arm back you take a deep breath, aim the point at your target, and then release the arrow from its halted position.
In less than a second, with a whoosh, the arrow shoots through the air and lands in your target. You pick up the next arrow and place it on the bow once again. Pulling back the string, you steady your aim, take a deep breath and then release it.
Life is just like archery. You have the equipment, the knowledge of how to use it, and a goal or target. But in order for your arrow to make it to its target, at some point you will need to let go and release the arrow from the bow.
Lifting my bow
It's always a great feeling when you are holding onto something for so long and then you finally let it go. No matter what it is, physical or mental, it is easy to find ourselves holding onto things that we have no need to hold onto.
But what is the reason for us holding on so tightly to things that make us miserable? Why do we focus on keeping a firm grip on the things that do not matter?
Holding onto unnecessary things and issues tends to block our view from what God has planned for us. It can also distort how we see, react and deal with situations in our lives. Instead of letting go in the moment and clearing our mind of all things negative, holding onto these weights is actually allowing the devil to come in, steal our joy, and to cover our eyes with a miserable nature.
Ready your aim
For a long time, I have been in the midst of a battle of letting go. It is easy to fall into the trap of over-thinking and replaying things over in your mind. Things that are out of your control, even though it seems like such an innocent mind game at the time. It is hard to release yourself from these thoughts, especially when things just don't seem to happen the way you wanted or expected.
When I was a little girl, I use to get frustrated at the little things, dwell on situations from the past that I did not need to, and keep myself up at night with thoughts and doubts that pulled me down and made me miserable. Truth be told, sometimes I still struggle with this, but then I remember what my dad always says, "bring every thought captive to Christ," 2 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 5.
The past is the past; it is behind me for a reason. There is no need to dwell on unchangeable situations and circumstances, only to bring every thought captive and to think of positive, godly thoughts.
Proverbs chapter 4, verses 20-23, "My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
Aim at the target
There is a great quote by C.S Lewis that says, "Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward."
Nothing ever happens the way we plan it, and nothing ever happens when we dig our heals in and refuse to let go of the things that are pulling us down subconsciously. I know the only way I can get rid of these thoughts that relentlessly nag at my mind is to give them all to God and allow him to renew my strength so that I can continue on with my life, with Jesus at the wheel.
Psalm chapter 138, verse 3 says, "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul."
And release
Painful experiences will happen. We will feel guilty and doubtful, sad and lost, but in order to move forward we must forgive ourselves for our past and allow God to lift us up out of the mess and place us in a more secure and positive environment.
Just like an arrow on the bow, our negative thoughts are restricting our mind—holding us back from moving forward to where God wants us. When we finally learn that the further we pull them back, the harder it will be to hold them up. The feeling of releasing the thoughts from our minds will renew us and allow us to be freed from the strain that is holding us back.
So take a deep breath. Stare down your target. Know your God is bigger than your problems, pull back what is stopping you from moving forward, and just... release.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is complete." (2 Corinthians chapter 10, verses 4-6).
Cartia Moore is a connoisseur of fine chocolate and a sword fighter, trained and skilled in the art of fencing. She is currently studying a bachelor of arts majoring in drama. Her focus is film, television and sword-fighting sequences. She hopes to graduate and form her own drama and acting school.
Cartia Moore's previous articles can be found at: http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cartia-moore.html