Letting Go: What Does the Bible Say?
The Bible has much to say about letting go. In fact, it teaches us that our lives should be marked by a willingness to let go of things when needed, just as a traveler carries a lighter load when journeying towards a destination. Whether we are letting go of resentments, hurts, or a past relationship, the Bible instructs us that sometimes it is best to hold on loosely, to let go of what has been holding us back, in order to find peace and joy.
One of the most famous passages of Scripture related to letting go is found in Matthew 5:21-26. Here, Jesus encourages us to “let go of anger and resentment”, telling us to “leave room for God’s grace by forgiving others”. In this passage, Jesus calls upon us to let go of any judgments we may make against other people, as they are often unfair and rarely helpful in resolving a situation. Instead, Jesus encourages us to respond with mercy and understanding.
In Galatians 5:1-5, the Bible speaks about the importance of freedom from bodily desires. In this principle, we are reminded that desires often lead us astray and can have a powerful pull on our decision-making. Paul encourages us to set our minds on the things of the Spirit rather than the things of the flesh. This can be a difficult task, as it requires us to often let go of our own desires and expectations in order to pursue what’s best for our lives and the lives of those around us.
The Bible also speaks clearly about the need to let go of unhealthy relationships. In Matthew 5:27-32, Jesus tells us that adultery is wrong and that those who “look upon a woman with lust” already have “committed adultery in their hearts”. Furthermore, Jesus instructs us to “let go of all sexual immorality, including lust”, thus reminding us of the importance of healthy and godly relationships.
The Bible calls for true freedom by challenging us to let go of any attitudes, habits, or relationships that keep us from living the life God wants us to live. In our daily lives, it can be hard to let go of things that have become so intertwined with our identity that they are almost like a part of us. However, as we consider the blessings that come with surrendering our lives to God, we realize that the freedom that comes with letting go is well worth the cost.
Facing Change With Courage
The Bible is filled with many stories of men and women who faced great challenges and faced them with courage. From Noah’s obedience to Abraham’s faith, we are reminded that God is with us in times of great difficulty and that we can take comfort in His presence. Similarly, when it is time to let go, these stories show us that we can have courage and trust in God.
The book of Esther is a prime example of trusting God even when faced with difficult choices. In this story, Esther makes the brave decision to confront the king on behalf of her people, even though it could cost her life. Esther’s courage reveals to us the power of letting go and trusting God to sustain us, even in the most uncertain of circumstances.
In the parable of the Prodigal Son, we are reminded that God will accept anyone who chooses to turn away from their old ways. When the son makes the decision to leave his father’s house and start fresh, we are reminded that God can be patient and gracious, ready to forgive and accept us back with open arms. This story serves as an encouragement to us that when it comes time to let go, we too, can find refreshing and healing in God’s presence.
Living in the Now
The Bible also challenges us to focus on the present. This is an important part of letting go because it helps us to focus our attention on the present moment and remember that just this moment is enough. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to practice the discipline of contemplation and meditation, allowing God’s peace to fill our hearts and minds in times of difficulty.
Similarly, Romans 12:2 reminds us to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind”. This passage serves as a reminder that our thoughts can sometimes lead us astray and keep us from making progress. By rejecting the self-defeating thoughts and replacing them with truths from Scripture, we can cultivate a spirit of inner peace.
Being anchored to the present can help us not to dwell on the past and instead stay focused on the task at hand. Ecclesiastes 11:10 tells us to “cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days it will return to you.” Here, we are reminded that things come and go, so we should not become attached to any one thing, but rather stay focused on trusting in God’s faithfulness.
The Freedom of Trusting God
The Bible encourages us to let go, trusting God to be our provider, rather than striving to provide for ourselves. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “trust in the Lord with all our heart, and lean not on our own understanding.” With these words, we are reminded that we don’t always have the power and strength to do things on our own, and so it is important to trust God to do what he knows is best for us.
The story of the Exodus is another example of God’s faithfulness. In this story, God chooses his chosen people to lead them out of slavery and into freedom. God leads his people out of their suffering and reminds us that even though it can be hard to let go, God is with us, even in times of difficulty. This reminds us that when we put our trust in God and let go of our fear and anxiety, greater things can come our way.
Even in situations of suffering, the Bible cautions us against hardening our hearts. Instead, it tells us that we should embrace the sorrow that comes with loss and recognize it as an opportunity to grow nearer to the Lord. In Psalm 34:18, we are reminded that “the Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” We can take comfort in knowing that God’s grace is sufficient in all things and that even in our darkest moments, he is with us.
Developing Flexible Expectations
The Bible encourages us to develop realistic expectations about life. When it comes to letting go, this means allowing for uncertainty in our lives and being comfortable with not knowing what the future holds. Isaiah 30:15 reminds us to “trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to Lean not on our own understanding.” When we are willing to put our trust in God, we can let go of our unrealistic expectations and find contentment even in the midst of uncertainty.
Wisdom is often found in those who are humble and do not expect too much from the world. Proverbs 16:9 tells us that “in their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Here, we are reminded that we have a role in planning for our future, but ultimately it is up to God to determine our path.
We can also find comfort in knowing that God can use our experiences for good, no matter what the outcome is. In Romans 8:28, we are reminded that “all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” This means that even when we don’t know what the future holds, we can take comfort knowing that God is in control and He will ultimately bring something good out of our experiences.
Cling to God Not Things
When it comes to letting go, it can be hard to relinquish any control we have over a situation. However, the Bible encourages us to instead cling to God, rather than cling to material things or our own plans. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that “God has plans to give us a hope and a future.” Therefore, when we are uncertain about what the future may hold, we can be confident that God will lead us and provide for us according to his own perfect timing.
Similarly, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and the seed in Luke 12:16-21. In this story, Jesus teaches us that when we cling to our wealth, we are essentially clinging to things that are fleeting and ultimately unable to bring us true peace or fulfillment. Jesus instructs us to instead put all our trust in God and to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.
The Bible also points out how destructive it can be to cling to our pride. Proverbs 16:18 teaches us that “pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall.” When we let go of our pride and humble ourselves before God and before others, the Bible assures us that God’s spirit will be with us and that we will find joy and peace in Him.
Claiming Our Inheritance
In Romans 8:15, the Bible encourages us to “live as children of God”, claiming our inheritance of salvation, joy, and peace. The Bible teaches us to let go of worry because, as Jesus says in Matthew 6:25-27, “who of you by worrying can add a single hour to their life?” We can take comfort in knowing that God is in control and that if we put our trust in Him, He will lead us in the right direction.
Furthermore, when it comes to letting go, the Bible encourages us to recognize that we are adopted as children of God. Galatians 4:1-7 speaks of how we were once slaves to the law, but now, in Christ, we can be adopted into the family of God. This truth should remind us that no matter what we have experienced in life, we have been given an inheritance of mercy, grace, and love from our heavenly Father.
Lastly, Psalm 27:13-14 reminds us to “wait for the Lord; be strong, take courage; and wait for the Lord.” Here, we are reminded to rely on God’s strength and timing when it comes to letting go and that we should trust Him even in moments of difficulty and uncertainty. With this passage, we are reminded that true freedom comes from relying on God and that He will sustain us when it is time to let go.
