Learning to let go and let God
“Let go and let God” has been so widely used in the Christian community that it has become a cliche. Often when we hear these words, we brush over them — having a general knowledge of what they mean, but not taking the time to see how they specifically apply to our current situation.
What does it really mean for us to “let go” in regards to what we’ve been praying for or believing God to receive? Does it mean that we just stop praying? Does it mean that we ignore the situation? Does it mean that we discontinue any attempts that we’ve been making to fix the problem?
I’ve learned that to “let go” looks a bit different for each one of us, because it isn’t as much about a specific action as it is about our attitude. It’s about stepping out of a place of striving and into a place of faith — whatever that may mean to each of us at any given time. It’s about surrendering to the fact that we are not the ones in control, and that there is nothing that we can do in our own power to change our situation. It’s about putting to death our fleshly desire to manipulate things, people and God, and placing our trust in Someone bigger and more capable than ourselves.
Hmm, “... placing our faith in Someone bigger and more capable than ourselves.” That is where the second half of the saying, “Let go and let God,” comes into play. It’s not enough to stop worrying about and trying to force our desired results by manipulating the things surrounding our situation. We must also put our trust in the One who passionately loves us, and cares even more about what is happening in our lives than we do, ourselves.
We demonstrate our willingness to trust and “let God” when we choose to allow Him to begin to direct us in regards to which steps we need to take, and then wait patiently for His appointed time to take those steps. As important as it is to allow Him to guide our steps, however, it is equally as important (though often exponentially more difficult) to trust Him enough to obey Him when He tells us to stand still and remove our hands from the situation, so that He can do what He wants to do without us interfering or taking the credit. Obviously, this “let-God” level of trust and obedience requires more than just a casual, once-a-week relationship with Him. We can only hope to truly achieve it when we intentionally make an effort to get close and stay close Him.
Although it is not a phrase found in the Bible, “let go and let God” is a great reminder that the will, plans and power of our infallible heavenly Father are infinitely better and more worthy to be trusted than anything that we could contrive or accomplish in our own selfish and flawed human state. It encourages us to release our grip on our bumbling attempts to rule our own lives and to trust God to lead us in whichever direction that He desires to take us. This five-word sentence, though deceptively simple and catchy, is actually an intense, personal call to total surrender.
Unfortunately, as much as our society likes “oneand-done” solutions, making a decision to “let go and let God” is not a one-time blanket act that will never have to be repeated. Our human nature is to hold on tightly to the reigns of our lives and circumstances, not wanting to relinquish control to anyone — not even God. Therefore, each new situation comes with its own choice that must be made. We must decide if we’re going to try to muddle through in our own intelligence and strength, or “let go” of our thoughts and desires and “let God” lead us on the best possible path through whatever we happen to be facing at the moment.
Life can be hard sometimes. If we’re honest with ourselves, often the solutions that we devise end up just putting a bandage on something that is badly in need of surgery. It may look like we’ve done a competent job, but the issue is actually just being covered up and not getting the care that it needs to truly be resolved.
When we learn to “let go and let God,” we humble ourselves enough to take off our useless bandage and allow our own personal Master Surgeon to lovingly bring true healing to our lives and situations in ways that we would never have dreamed possible. It’s amazing how free and productive we become when we choose to “let go” of our desire for control and “let God” be free to work His plan in us and through us — a plan that is both for our good and for His glory.
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