Letting Go: Faith In God's Plan For You

Letting go and letting God can be a challenging but liberating act. It involves surrendering your will to God and trusting that He will guide you towards the best path. This requires a profound shift in perspective, as humans naturally desire control over their lives and fear uncertainty about the future. To let go and let God, one must acknowledge their limitations, pray for guidance and strength, and surrender their worries and fears to God. This act of surrender brings peace and freedom, knowing that God's plan is greater than ours and that He will provide comfort and strength during difficult times.

Recognise what you can and can't control

Recognising what you can and can't control is an important step in letting go and having faith in God.

Firstly, it's crucial to identify what you can control and what you can't. This is a key step in improving your mental and spiritual health. Recognise that many of the things that cause stress and worry are beyond your control. By focusing on what you can control, you can take action, which is an antidote to worry and stress. Taking action on the things that depend on you and your attitudes can help you address what you can control.

Surrender what you can't control to God. Theologian E. Stanley Jones said: "Surrender the thing you fear into the hands of God. Turn it right over to God and ask Him to solve it with you. Fear is keeping things in your own hands; faith is turning them over into the hands of God—and leaving them there."

God is in control of everything, and this should bring comfort and alleviate fears. God's sovereignty means that He has "complete and total independent control over every creature, event, and circumstance at every moment in history". Nothing is random or by chance, especially not in the lives of believers. God's power and control give us strength and confidence.

God's control is evident in the Bible. For example, in Joshua 1:9, God promised to be with Joshua as he led the Israelites into the Promised Land. In John 2, Christ caused chaos in the temple, and in Isaiah 45, Isaiah talks about King Cyrus, who was used by God to free the Jews from captivity, despite not knowing or obeying the Lord.

Remember that God sees your struggles and is planning to deliver you. He has your best interests at heart. "In the Lord’s hand, the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him" (Proverbs 21:1). God can turn hearts towards or away from Himself, and He gives the gift of faith.

God's control gives us freedom. John Piper writes: "Glad submission to God’s authority, and to God’s superior value and beauty, is something we are not able to do [without Him]." By submitting to God, we are freed from slavery to our desires.

So, how can you let go and let God take control? Pray and ask for strength, just as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Talk to God about your worries and struggles. You can also sing songs that remind you that you are not alone, and that Jesus will be with you. Claim and meditate on Bible promises, such as "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

Act on what you can control

Letting go and letting God is about surrendering your will to God, giving the Holy Spirit the opportunity to work in your life, even when you don't see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Identify what you can control

The first step is to recognise what is within your control and what isn't. This is a crucial step in mental and spiritual health. Many of our worries and stresses come from things we can't control, so it's important to acknowledge this and focus on what we can control, which is often related to our attitudes.

Take action

Inactivity can breed worry and even depression. So, instead of brooding over your situation, take action on the things you can control. This can be a powerful antidote to stress and worry.

Surrender what you can't control

As the late theologian E. Stanley Jones said, "Surrender the thing you fear into the hands of God. Turn it over to God and ask Him to solve it with you. Fear is keeping things in your own hands; faith is turning them over into the hands of God and leaving them there."

Meditate on God's promises

Replace your negative thoughts with calming thoughts based on God's promises. For example, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5, NIV).

Choose a "letting go" motto

Select a memorable verse or phrase that resonates with you and repeat it to yourself throughout the day. For example, "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15, KJV).

Resolve to act on faith, not fear

As E. Stanley Jones also said, "Never act on fear, for fears are usually false... Don't build your life according to any pattern shown to you in the valley of fear. Wait until you get to the mount of faith and then build your life plans."

Surrender what you can't control

Surrendering what you can't control is a key aspect of letting go and having faith in God. This involves a shift in perspective, recognising that trying to control everything can be exhausting and futile, and choosing to place trust in a higher power.

Surrendering what you can't control can bring a sense of peace, trust, and clarity, and is an important step in navigating life's challenges. It is about accepting your limitations and having faith that God will guide and support you. This doesn't mean inaction, but rather taking action from a place of surrender and faith.

• Identify what you can and can't control: Recognise the things that are within your control and focus your energy on those. Accept that there are many things outside your control, and trying to manage them all can lead to stress and worry.
• Address what you can control: Take action in the areas where you have agency, such as your mindset, attitude, and responses. This can help improve your mental and emotional health and increase your sense of strength and resilience.
• Surrender what you can't control to God: Let go of your fears and worries by placing them in God's hands. Have faith that God will provide solutions and guide you through challenges. This act of surrender can bring a sense of relief and peace, knowing that you don't have to face difficulties alone.
• Meditate on God's promises: Replace anxious thoughts with calming thoughts based on God's promises of comfort, presence, and provision. Meditate on Bible verses that speak of God's faithfulness and his commitment to never leave or forsake you.
• Choose a "letting go" motto: Select a memorable Bible verse or phrase that resonates with you and repeat it to yourself throughout the day. For example, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15, KJV).
• Resolve to act on faith, not fear: Choose to trust in God's faithfulness and goodness, even when facing uncertainties or difficulties. Remember that fear is often the root of control, and faith is the antidote.
• Focus on trusting God today: Instead of worrying about tomorrow, choose to trust God for today and its challenges. Jesus said, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34, NIV). Trust that God will be with you each step of the way.

Remember, surrendering what you can't control is a process and may require a shift in your thinking and behaviours. Be patient with yourself and keep practising surrender and faith.

Meditate on God's promises

Meditating on God's promises is a powerful way to transform the way you think and act. It is a practice that can bring you peace, clarity, and a deeper understanding of God's word. Here are some ways to meditate on God's promises:

Identify God's Promises in Scripture

The Bible is filled with God's promises to His people. These promises offer hope, strength, comfort, and guidance. Identify these promises and reflect on their meaning. For example, in Isaiah 41:10, God assures, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Memorize and Personalize God's Promises

Commit God's promises to memory and make them a part of your daily thoughts. Personalize these promises by reflecting on how they apply to your life and circumstances. For instance, if you are facing a challenging situation, meditate on God's promise to be with you and give you strength (Isaiah 41:10).

Pray and Meditate on God's Promises

Bring God's promises into your prayer life. When you pray, reflect on specific promises that speak to your current needs or struggles. For example, if you are anxious or worried, meditate on Philippians 4:6-7, which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus."

Create Visual Reminders

Write out God's promises and display them where you can see them. This can be in the form of scripture art, posters, or even post-it notes. Place them in places where you will see them often, such as your desk, bedside table, or refrigerator. This will help you to meditate on God's promises throughout your day.

Share God's Promises with Others

Share God's promises with your community and loved ones. Discuss how these promises have impacted your life and ask others to do the same. This will not only strengthen your own meditation but also encourage and uplift those around you.

Meditate Through Worship and Song

Music can be a powerful way to meditate on God's promises. Listen to or sing songs that are based on scripture and reflect on the promises within them. Worship and song can help you internalize God's promises and experience them in a new way.

Choose a motto to repeat when you're worried

Letting go and letting God can be challenging, but it is possible to do so by taking actionable steps. Here are some mottoes to repeat when you are worried, to help you surrender your worries to God:

• "I will trust in God's plan for me, even when I cannot see the bigger picture."
• "God, I surrender my worries and fears to You, knowing that You care for me." (Based on 1 Peter 5:7)
• "I will not act on fear but on faith."
• "I will focus on trusting God today." (Based on Matthew 6:34)
• "I will not lean on my own understanding, but in everything acknowledge God, and He will direct my path." (Based on Proverbs 3:5-6)
• "I will not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present my requests to God." (Based on Philippians 4:6)
• "I will not fear, for God is with me. He gives me strength and help. He upholds me with His righteous right hand." (Based on Isaiah 41:10)
• "I will cast all my worries on God because He cares for me." (Based on 1 Peter 5:7)

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