Let Go; Let God

Have you ever heard the phrase “Let go and let God”? I know I have. I have heard it and seen it or some other variation many times. I never really thought much about it until recently. But I have learned that it is far more than just a good bumper sticker slogan or a quote for our Facebook status updates.

It is really a simple concept that can save us from a lot of anguish and worry. Psalm 142:2 tells us how David tells his troubles to God. He offers his complaint up to him. It goes on to say his spirit is weak, but God knows his way.

I myself have practically made a career of worrying. I blame it on motherhood, because all mothers fuss and worry over their children; so it must just be my nature. I blame it on my past; because bad things have happened to me, there must be more coming in the future. I blame it on the nature of man, because humans tend to be selfish and think more of themselves than of you and your feelings.

I have let everyday life, and my reactions to it, take away the faith I once had that God has a plan and if I let him he will bless me. Instead, I am blocking his actions by insisting on doing it all myself. God will fill my needs; he will put people and circumstances in my path to further me on my journey. All I have to do is lift it up to him and let him work through faith. I don’t for one minute think total lack of action is the answer, but I must know when to let go and when to do something. The serenity prayer is the perfect instruction on how to achieve this balance.

“God, grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

The courage to change the things that I can;

And the wisdom to know the difference.”

There are some things that are beyond our power to control. These are the things we must lift up to God and allow him to find a resolution for.

Without going into details, there was a situation that was causing me much distress and anguish. It was about a decision that someone close to me had made that I didn’t agree with. I worried daily about it. I cried, I pouted, I was depressed. I was generally making myself miserable to the point that I was no longer able to enjoy the blessings that were right in front of me because I was in despair about what I had lost and I wanted back.

My husband made a simple comment that made it all clear to me. He said you have decided to be upset because you think a wrong decision was made; you have to respect and accept it. It was in that moment that I realized I was trying to impose my will on someone else and not allowing them to take their own journey in life. At that point, I lifted it up to God. I knew then that if it was meant to be, the situation would change. And I accepted that if the situation continued, then it was because it was meant to be that way. I realized that even though I felt wrong about it, there was a purpose and a reason that was beyond my comprehension.

“I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him. Although my spirit is weak within me, you know my way.” Psalm 142:1-3

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Resources

Day 2 – A Valentine From God

Wikipedia – Serenity Prayer

Absolute Grace at WordPress – Give Your Troubles Away

Clarion Call – Let Go and Let God

Work Ministry – Let Go: Let God Fill Your Need

Love Health Org – Let Go, Let God