How to Let Go and Let God: 5 Practical Ways to Surrender
The little one sits beneath a tall row of golden cone flowers. Ten feet tall, they tower like trees with vibrant sunny heads. As my boy throws stones into the dark water of Wolf Creek’s pools, I take a moment to consider how to let go and let God take control of my life.
Like a child heaving small boulders into a lazy creek, I want to learn to cast my cares onto the Lord.
I want to learn how to let my concerns rest with him instead of wading into the waters of doubt and picking them up again.
Most of us like the idea of giving God control; however, it’s not so easy to surrender the parts of our lives that matter deeply to us.
How to Let Go and Let God
How do we let go and let God have control in more realms of our lives?
Let’s explore some practical ways to surrender to God.
1. Stand on God’s promises instead of standing on your feelings.
Have you been ruminating over a problem or dwelling on how you feel about a difficult situation?
Let go and let God into this part of your life by standing on God’s promises instead of trusting your emotions.
Our emotions are God-given, and they are meant to be felt. However, after processing your emotions, return to God’s Truth. Speak God’s Word and his promises instead of ruminating on your feelings.
Here are some of God’s promises for our worried hearts:
“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 1 Peter 3:13-14
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:18-19
“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 minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
2. Let go and let God care for your worries.
What is your greatest fear or worry today?
Are you worried about a situation involving a loved one? Are you afraid of what might happen in the future?
God is inviting you to surrender these worries and fears to him.
Every time the worry comes to mind, cast it down. Claim a fear-fighting Bible verse, and speak it instead. We overcome the enemy with the weapon of God’s Word.
How to Let Go and Let God Through Surrender:
3. Surrender your future to God.
Have you been trying to bring a dream to pass or produce an outcome in your life?
Do you feel frustrated because it’s not coming to pass?
Let go and let God take control by acknowledging that your future is in his hands. Do your best to steward today’s work, but recognize that the outcomes aren’t yours to control.
Let go and let God take control by acknowledging that your future is in his hands. Do your best to steward today’s work, but recognize that the outcomes aren’t yours to control. #trustingGod Share on XYou can trust God with your future.
4. Let go and let God handle the parts of your life that don’t make sense.
When life doesn’t make sense, most of us scramble to make sense of what’s happening. We ask God for answers and wrestle with him as we struggle to understand his ways.
We can let go and let God by remembering that his ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts.
We can trust God with every part of our lives—even the parts that don’t make sense.
One of the bravest and most life-changing prayers I’ve ever prayed went something like this: “Lord, I don’t understand what you’re doing, and I don’t even trust you just yet. Help me trust you with what I cannot understand.”
5. Discern the realms of your life that are not yours to fix or control.
Most of us are “fixers.” We like to show up and save the day with casseroles, cards, and cookies. When our loved ones are hurt, we do everything we can to fix what feels broken.
Meanwhile, some realms of our lives simply aren’t ours to fix.
Mom, it’s not up to you to fix your adult daughter’s faltering marriage, solve her heartbreaking struggle with infertility, or heal her relationship with her teenage child.
Loving wife, God never asked you to fix your husband’s bad habits and besetting sins. He never asked you to play the Holy Spirit.
Daughter, you might want to help your parents encounter Christ and change their ways. Meanwhile, God isn’t asking you to fix them. Do your best to offer kindness, and recognize that it’s not up to you to heal them.
Loving friend, you might want to see your closest friend find healing and wholeness more than anything in the world. However, your friendship will be healthier the moment you recognize that your friend is not yours to fix.
Stand beside her.
Cheer for her.
Encourage her.
Speak truth to her.
And leave the fixing to God.
~~~
As for me, I sit with the little one beside the creek until the sun blazes too hot, and he grows weary from casting stones. Somehow, I feel like I’ve cast something aside as well.
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