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“Let go and let God” has become an oft-quoted phrase. We say it to others when they are frustrated, depressed, or going through a tough time.
When we feel overwhelmed, the first step is to give control over to God. It’s an empowering statement that reminds us of our ability and dependency on Him for everything in life–especially when things are tough!
However, it can be simply a trite statement that, when said, isn’t always necessarily referencing the Lord of Lords or even the existence of God.
When we are in a situation that seems to be out of control, God is always present and ready. He watches over us with His grace as well- never leaving our side for one moment. No matter how chaotic or frightening what may seem on the outside – all we need do is submit ourselves fully to his will because he has everything under control!
As Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might”. (Ephesians 6:10) We should always be standing firm on our spiritual journey so that he can carry us through any hardships we may face along its path.
Remember that God promises to never leave for forsake us.
5 Steps to Let Go and Let God on Difficult Days and every day
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)
However, sometimes when we are stubborn and refuse to submit our lives back into God’s hands there is a moment where it becomes necessary for us to let go of all that has been building up in our lives and trust in Him alone. Trusting as if everything were going well because it’s working out exactly like He planned from start until finish! Let go and let God!
What does this mean? It means that we should give up our sense of entitlement, our desire for control, our doubts, and our worries and hand them over to God.
If we’re being honest here, we have needed our Heavenly Father to rescue us many, many times. The question is, what does it really mean to “let go and let God”? And how do I actually do it?
Let’s look at both parts of this phrase and what we need to do to actually let go and let God. We’ll also point out relevant Bible verses which point to this common phrase.
First, we need to let go of certain things.
To dive deeper into Ephesians on a level you haven’t before with Kneel Before the Throne, Exploring Ephesians.
Let Go and Let God: What to Let Go Of
1. Let Go of or Desire for Control
As humans, our first thought is usually something along the lines of “How am I going to get through this?” or “What am I going to do about this”?
We tend to think that we have to figure it all out and that we are the ones that are going to solve the issue at hand. That is our first mistake.
God always maintains full control of situations around us, even the painful or scary ones. He invites us to rest in His strength and trust Him for a safe passage through whatever storm we may be facing. Our job is to submit to Him and let Him do it.
2. Let Go of Our Entitlement
Life is full of disappointments, but we love our dreams and cherish the expectations. We don’t give up easily on what we planned. But sometimes God has different ideas; He usually does a better job than us because he knows what’s best for us.
There have been many times in my life when I have felt deep disappointment or even despair if things didn’t turn out how I had hoped. Later, however, looking back, I realized that God had something even better in store for me.
How can we receive what God wants to give us if we are full of entitlement and expecting our way? God, in all the grace He gives us, helps us to trade our pride for humility and patience when we acknowledge and submit to Him.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)
and he will make straight your paths.
He’s going to straighten my path—thankfully, I don’t have to do it on my own.
3. Let Go of Our Doubts
Have you ever wondered if perhaps God forgot about you or isn’t going to answer your prayer?
Doubts are thoughts that cripple us to the extent that we question the existence or goodness of God. This is where we believe in ourselves more than God and His ability to work all things out for good. (Remember our earlier discussion about entitlement?)
Take a moment to pray over these two verses and see what God reveals to you in the context of let go and let God:
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6 (ESV)
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Romans 14:23 (ESV)
4. Let Go of Worry
Our world is facing many unprecedented crises. These “trickle down” in our states, towns, neighborhoods, and homes. We have health and financial worries. We have family and addiction worries. We have worries of all kinds.
All of this, all that we are facing, can devastate us and cause further damage with anxiety and fear if we don’t keep our eyes on Christ Jesus.
God repeatedly says, “Do not worry” and “Do not fear.” He offers supernatural peace because it can cut through the darkness and shine light where it seemed none was possible. The Father offers us peace amidst financial problems, illness or anxiety, and depression. Listen to the Holy Spirit and rest in the Triune’s goodness.
Let go and let God replace your anxiety with peace.
Now that we’ve explored four ways to ‘let go,’ let’s look at some ways to ‘let God:’
How to Let Go and Let God: What to Let God Do in Your Life
1. Let God Show His Power
We are living in a difficult time where the problems seem to be exponential. It’s normal to want to avoid them or at least ignore them for now, but have you ever turned back with an issue and realized it wasn’t so bad after all? Or when God showed His mercy and we realized that we had grown lazy about looking into His glory?
We need to look no further than what He has done
Joseph patiently waited as a model prisoner until the Lord brought him to power. He was rewarded in an awe-inspiring way and showed the deepest love to his brothers who had greatly wronged him. Only God could do that. We need to have complete faith.
2. Let God Comfort You
Jonah was angry and distraught when God saved wicked Nineveh from destruction. Even as Jonah sinned in his heart, God offered His comfort by growing a tree to shade him from the hot sun.
Instead of taking comfort, however, Jonah showed bitterness and resentment and the tree withered.
If Jonah had only remembered that the Lord had given him a second chance, he might not have been upset about Nineveh receiving their second chance. Maybe God’s love would have comforted Jonah. Often, comfort goes together with gratitude. Give thanks that the Lord has saved you; that He is close and loving. In this Christian life, we always need to remember our Comforter first. Feeling the presence of God allows us to let go and let God.
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
3. Let God Be the First Priority in Your Life
You may be suffering because your priorities have gotten out of whack. To let go and let God, we need to ensure that God is the first priority in our life.
We all know what it feels like when trouble comes our way–but I want to tell you that there is hope! God has given each one of us an opportunity, and sometimes those are the times when we need him most- so make sure not let this slip by without giving thanks or taking some time with Him first.
When trouble comes, our lives are on the threshing floor. And much of what we thought was important will be the chaffe or waste. You have an opportunity to re-establish priorities and put God in His rightful place.
When God is only our priority on Sunday mornings, we are missing out on the richness of life. When we focus on Him, when we are in His Word, praying to Him, and allowing ourselves to be still and quiet in His presence, we can feel His comfort and hear His direction for our lives.
4. Submit to God
To let go and let God means to submit to Him in all things.
When we submit to God and give our all to Him, life becomes much more fulfilling. Our paths are straight as they were meant to be; figuratively speaking this means that wisdom will come into your world with a broader sense of understanding than before- allowing Him to be in control instead of you trying to pull it back from Him.
Submitting to God also helps us to resist temptation and evil and the negative thoughts pushed on us by Satan.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 (ESV)
5. Surrender to God
To let go and submit to God means acknowledging that we should not be entitled to our own selves, it’s time for you to stop lingering doubts. We need only acknowledge the one who has control of us–He will make things whole again.
Amen!
We must always remember that God is in control. Even when things seem dire, there’s still a chance for happiness because even adversity has its blessings, and He will work all things out for good.
Beneath turmoil lies hope; it may not look like what you want or expect but God has a plan for us! We must let go and let God every day in everything which will make room again to find peace within ourselves through Him–even during times when nothing seems right anymore
What “Let Go and Let God” Doesn’t Mean
When we truly believe that God will make sense of anything, it is not an act of abandonment. He has never left us alone in the dark without guidance and instead offers his grace on a silver platter for those who seek him with all their hearts.
To truly have a relationship with God, we must always be aware that His power and presence are stronger than any other force in this world. There is no greater way to know the reality of your faith’s strength than through enjoying its intimate connection with Christ on High! To let go and let God should not be just a pat phrase but a way to live our lives.
I’ve found that the most powerful way to strengthen my faith is by reading the Bible, praying, and having regular fellowship with other believers. Otherwise, God might become more like a worldly god—powerless and distant.
Prayer to Let Go and Let God
“Almighty God, help us to trust You. Show us what we should let go of; empower our submission and forgiveness in Jesus’ name.”
We cannot do this on our own. We need You, God! Help us to trust in Your plans for us and be at peace with whatever comes next because of your love. Let us follow Jesus’ example as he submitted His will to You. Thank you, Lord, that even though life may seem impossible, you have plans to prosper us and not to harm us. You promise us peace in exchange for submitting to You. Father, help me to submit everything in my life to you.
“Let go and let God” is one of the most important teachings in all of scripture. It means to submit, trust Him with what you have and what you are facing–and know He will take care if your needs both great and small! What do we miss when stubbornly holding on to our own foolish ideas about what’s best? We miss God’s best for us.
I am so grateful for Christ who so perfectly demonstrated total submission. He is a model of “let go and let God” that we should all follow.
You may enjoy one of these recommended resources for “Let go and Let God”.
Let Go and Let God: Steps in Victorious Living by Albert E. Cliffe
Let Go and Let God: A Devotional for Decluttering Your Heart by Ruth O’Neil
Let Go and Let God: A Prayer Journal for Giving it to God by Kristi LaRose
ESV – “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”