If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth…. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion (sexual passion outside of marriage), evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry…. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man…. - Colossians 3:1-2, 5, 7-10a. 

Edward McBride burglarized a Tulsa home and then attempted to lose the police by jumping into the Arkansas River. However, swimming the Arkansas River was made difficult for McBride because he was hanging onto a duffel bag containing the 50 pounds of stolen items including cameras and CDs. Tulsa police spokesperson Lucky Lamons said, “He got about 40 yards out and yelled for help. The officers took off their shirts, shoes and belts and jumped into the river. By the time they reached him, he had gone under.” McBride wore himself out trying to swim with the 50-pound duffel bag and then was unable to swim to safety. 

There are so many who are doing the same thing spiritually. We are wearing ourselves out under the heavy load of the world. The apostle Paul tells us there are some things that we need to let go of, and it is quite a list: “fornication, uncleanness, passion (sexual passion outside of marriage), evil desire, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language” and he adds “do not lie to one another.” All of these things just make it harder for us to live and makes each step along the path of life harder to take. These things keep dragging us further and further down. We need to let go of them before it is too late. 

Not only do we need to let go of some things we also need to take hold of some other things. Paul says, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful (Colossians 3:12-15).” 

If, we let go of those things that are dragging us down, and then take hold of those things Paul says to take hold of then we will have the peace of God ruling in our hearts. How wonderful to be free of the anger, lies, lust, and all those things which help to bring about depression and pain in our lives and the lives of others around us. Let go of the pain and take hold of the peace of God!