STEPS by John Ortbergنموونە

THE PETITION: HUMBLE ASKING

The next step in the process, Step Seven, calls us to ask God humbly to remove our shortcomings. The truth is, however, we often cling to them without realizing it. These shortcomings—our habits of pride, resentment, fear, or control—become so familiar that they feel like part of who we are. We carry them with us like rocks, weighing us down, yet sometimes we refuse to let go.

The real issue isn’t just the wrong things we’ve done but the patterns of thought and feelings beneath them. Pride, bitterness, defensiveness, and self-pity keep us stuck. Even when God is ready to free us, we clutch these old ways tightly, as though they were our lifeline. Honestly, they’re dragging us under.

To move toward freedom, we must drop the rock. This means releasing the stubborn belief that we are in control, that life revolves around us, or that we must cling to what we think is ours—our time, our possessions, our plans. Letting go of the rock can feel impossible. It takes humility to admit we can’t do it alone and to trust God’s voice when He says, “Let it go.”

When we release what weighs us down, we find not only freedom but also the lightness to embrace what’s ahead. It’s not about what we lose; it’s about what we gain: peace, grace, and the ability to live fully.

TODAY'S INVITATION:

Notice where you’re holding on to the rock. Is it resentment, control, fear, or a sense of “mine”? Take a moment to pray: “God, help me let go.” When interruptions, challenges, or irritations arise today, ask God for the grace to drop the rock and trust Him instead.