Put It In God’s Hands: What It Means to Truly Let Go and Let God
Published June 27, 2021
Trusting God in everything is easier said than done. We all have those moments when we ask God for help but in the deepest, most intimate recesses of our hearts, there is that doubt if he will actually help us.
But as a popular saying goes: let go and let God. This tells us that trusting God requires abandonment. We need to let go of our expectations and everything that’s holding us back from Him.
Letting go also means letting Him take the reins. It’s a symbol of our submission to him. It’s an acknowledgment that we no longer belong to ourselves but to Him. And that everything that we are, and everything that we have, are all for His disposal.
This is best summed up in one of Jesus’ last words: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). It’s a statement of total surrender. He knows what will happen to him but his faith in the father never wavered. There were no reservations, no buts, and no ifs.
Yes, that kind of complete and unequivocal surrender is not easy. Think of it as like jumping off a cliff while blindfolded. There’s no assurance that you’ll reach the water unharmed or if you can survive the drop. But despite your fears and doubts, you did it anyway because you know that it will be worth it in the end.
This is what to “put it in God’s hands” really means. And here’s how you can do it.
Share Your Load
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you – 1 Peter 5:7
All of us have something that we are anxious about. Will you be able to pay for that mortgage you took out? What will happen to your family if you lose your job? What does the future hold for you?
Little do we know that these niggling thoughts at the back of our heads can weigh us down. Don’t get me wrong. Being worried and anxious about something is totally valid. It’s normal to feel stuck at times and think that no one understands. But that doesn’t mean you should keep it all bottled up.
You cannot put your problems in the hands of God if you don’t let go of them first. Share your anxieties and worries with the Lord. Start your day with a daily devotional and use it as an opportunity to tell Him your fears and aspirations. Talk to Him as you would to your best friend. Let go of everything that is weighing you down and let Him help you carry that burden.
Lean Not On Your Own Understanding
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Sometimes we ask God for something but he gives us another. Does that mean he doesn’t listen to our prayers? No. It just means that he has better plans for us.
Remember that everything happens for a reason. You may not understand it now but, in time, you will.
He knows what is best for us and what will harm us. He alone knows the future so believe that he has your best interests at heart. Instead of asking him why, answer him with a resounding “yes”. Obey the Heavenly father’s will and trust that things will work out just as He has planned.
Leave Yourself Into His Hands
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. – Matthew 6:34
When you lift your problems up to Him, you must also be willing to offer yourself to Him. This includes everything that you are and everything that you have as well as all your plans, hopes, and dreams.
Worry not about what tomorrow will bring. There’s no use fretting about things that may or may not come. You don’t need that unnecessary stress. Instead, surrender your days to him and let Him take charge of your tomorrow. Acknowledging that you are not in control of your destiny will help you accept His will more fully.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Lay Cistercians blog and a devoted Catholic. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources.