Fall is a season for letting go. The trees let go of their leaves; birds let go of their habitats and head south, and we let go of summer. I’m only recently accepting of these fall “letting go” changes and there are some areas of my life I struggle in letting go and trusting God.
Have you heard the expression “Let Go and Let God”? It always seemed like an incomplete sentence to me. And how do we “let” God do anything? He’s sovereign!
“Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” Psalm 115:3.
Let Go and Let God Meaning
To “let go and let God” means we surrender and submit our lives to God and, in trust, let Him direct our paths.
We need to let go of the steering wheel of whatever car we are driving (worry, pride, fear, doubt and anything we have taken control over…) and trust that His driving and His route is best.
Is there a Bible verse that says Let go and Let God?
We won’t find this verse in the Bible, although many verses support the meaning.
When Jesus instructed His disciples on how to pray, He said: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 KJV. When we pray these words, we are agreeing with His sovereign plan for us.
That doesn’t mean we can’t ask Him for what we desire or need. We pray, and then, trusting in His love and care, leave it in His hands.
Letting go doesn’t mean leaving your God-given creativity, emotions, drive, ideas, or dreams by the wayside. We simply let Him be the leader in our endeavors.
We use prayer and His word, listening for His guidance, and following where He leads.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.
God made this promise to the Jews in exile, but they are just as true for us today.
He knows you and has a plan for you which includes a future and hope (in good times and in suffering.) Let Him set your agenda and follow it, knowing He walks beside you at all times.
Bible Verses about Letting Go
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10.
One of the Hebrew roots of the word “be still” translates to “let go.”
God is asking us to stop being at odds with Him and to acknowledge His power and sovereignty. No more arguing, bargaining, or choosing our own way, but surrendering to Him.
Bible Verses about Moving On and Letting Go
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19.
God was speaking to the Israelites who were stuck in exile, and also to us when we feel stuck in discouragement or failure.
He wants us to move forward into what He has for our future. Can you see it? He wants to reveal it to you; follow His lead.
Our past has no power over us. Let it go knowing He has made us new with His great love and merciful grace.
Paul was speaking of becoming more like Jesus when he said, “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” Philippians 3:13-14.
We can let go of our past, looking forward to what God has planned for us.
Bible Verses about Letting Go of Anger
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret- it leads only to evil.” Psalm 37:8.
“In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Ephesians 4:26.
Anger and worry can be destructive emotions; they need to be handled properly. Angry words vented without thought or bottled up can both cause bitterness. Paul says to let go of anger immediately and deal with it in healthy ways-
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1.
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” Proverbs 15:8
Pray for patience, self-control, a forgiving spirit, and His peace to let go of anger.
Bible Verses about Letting Go of Hurt
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44.
“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16.
While it might seem natural to retaliate or harbor resentment when someone hurts you, it solves nothing. There is a better way:
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge… If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink…” Romans 12:18a,20a.
We have experienced God’s undeserved favor- His grace. He would love for us to pass it on to others!
Bible Verses about Letting Go of Guilt
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Condemnation for the Christian is false guilt and shame. Our trust in Jesus’s sacrifice for our sin makes us right in God’s sight. He declares us not guilty and gives us His power to do His will.
How to Give Your Life to God
“But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1.
The One who created you calls you by name, claiming you as His own child- “you are mine.” What a beautiful truth to hang onto!
We can give Him all our shame from the past, our present trials, weaknesses, bad habits, hurts, anger, worries, and whatever pull us away from Him.
Surrender fully to His love, protection, guidance, and care. Giving your life to God is the best solution for dealing with life’s struggles.♥
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
Take your decisions to God in prayer and use His word as your guiding light!
Turning it Over to God
Our faith in Christ doesn’t stop us from experiencing trials. They still bring anxiety and discouragement into our lives that can overwhelm us.
He has given us a solution:
Cast Your Cares on Him
The word “cast” in Greek meant to “throw upon.” I like this word picture. Not a tentative placement that’s nearby where you can easily grab it back.
Throw it over to Him. If I want it back, I’d have to go to Him and attempt to snatch it out of His hands!
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22 .
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.
Holding onto and stressing about our burdens and struggles shows we aren’t fully trusting God.
Giving it to God involves action; it is a choice.
He doesn’t want us to sit passively in our hard circumstances, bearing the weight of them each day. He wants to take your burden from you. Cast your cares upon Him and walk away knowing that He will strengthen and care for you.
Surrender to God
I admit, I have a tendency to try and retrieve what I have cast upon Him. Can you relate? The struggle is in surrendering control to God.
Count on the promptings of the Holy Spirit to help you throw it back to Him (or decide to leave it where you left it- in His capable hands) and trust.
He knows we will struggle in this way. The more we cast our cares on Him, the more we experience His peace and sovereign guidance for our lives.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8.
He sees you and loves you and guides you- what a beautiful blessing.
Pray then Let it Go
Can you imagine a life without worries? It won’t happen here on earth, but we have a mighty weapon to use here on earth against worry and anxiety.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV.
Pray. Pray about it all. Tell Him everything; he’s waiting and ready to listen. The payoff?
His peace. Not the peace the world gives, that comes and goes. We can’t fully understand His peace, but it comes from knowing and believing that our God is in control right now.
Let go and trust God. Allow Him to show you His power, love, and comfort. Let Him be the focus in your life; knowing His promises, and trusting Him to lead you in His plan for your life.
Related Post∼ Letting Go of Emotional Baggage
Prayer for Letting Go
Almighty God and Father, I thank you for the gift of your Son who showed what perfect trust and submission to you looks like. Help me in my unbelief and doubt that sometimes overpowers my faith. Help me trust in you to care for me and direct every aspect of my life. Show me how to let go; give me the strength to surrender and trust you. Grant me your mighty power to overcome and fill me with your abundant love and comfort. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings!
AnnMarie
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos and AnnMarie Anderson
All Scripture is from the NIV translation unless noted otherwise.
Amen❤️🙏
Thank you for all the insights and encouragement on this post.
My heart was touched on this part :
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8.
He sees you and loves you and guides you- what a beautiful blessing.
What a loving , caring Father we have.
We as His children must learn to trust Him every day in every thing that we do. We trust Him even if the journey in this life is difficult for us knowing that He’s been there and He has overcome. Impossibilities are made possible when we fully put our trust in the Lord and His sovereignty.
Caleb received his reward because He trusted God and He didn’t waver in his faith.
It is important that we as children of God understand that we must trust our great loving Father all the time and we must renounce unbelief in our lives.
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will act.” Psalm 37:5
God bless you always🙏❤️