Articles
Let Go and Let God
"Let go and let God" is a phrase I’m sure we have all heard at one point or another. And while it seems so simple, truly letting go and letting God take control can be difficult--whether it’s because we think we are capable of doing it on our own and don’t need God to help us, or we get so worried about something that we consume ourselves with it to the point we go mad and start to lose control. Worry can be very crippling at times, so it needs to be handled with the right attitude to truly let go of it.
In Luke 10:38-42, there’s a story about Mary and her sister Martha welcoming Jesus into their home and what they were concerned about with Him being there:
“Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.' But the Lord answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.'”
Mary and Martha have two totally different reactions to Jesus in their home. Martha was worried about getting everything ready and making everything look nice for Him while He was there. Mary was not worried at all because all she was focused on was what Jesus was going to say and what He would teach them. Jesus wasn’t concerned about all of the things Martha was doing. He simply wanted to be welcomed in and have their attention so He could teach them.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make your house look nice for a guest, or to be concerned about things that happen in life, but when it takes place over things that are more important, that’s when we need to let go and let God take control. That’s not easy because it means we’re relying on someone else to take care of something and pride often gets in the way of us doing that, but it means we are not alone. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” God is higher and God is greater, so we should have full trust in Him that He will take care of us. Why? Because He cares for us and wants to take our burdens away.
It then becomes, and always is, up to us as to what we’re going to do. If we seek God first, it will all work together for good in the end. If we don’t, we’re left with constant worry hanging over our heads with no one to lean on who can truly take that worry away. For all we know, it may not be as important as we make it out to be now. Whether it is a big worry or a small one in the grand scheme of things, let God take them. His peace surpasses all comprehension (Philippians 4:7), and it’s yours if you simply let go of your worries and let God take control.
