Is God Asking You to Let Go? -

Categories : Listening to God

You’ve heard it 1.37 million times. Godly, well meaning people have said it to you. Maybe you’ve said it to other people, with the best of intentions.

It always makes me wince. Here it is:

“Let go, let God.”

I’ve always hated this phrase without knowing why. Recently, I began asking God what was wrong. Here’s what I’m noticing:

First off, the phrase “let go” appears exactly zero times in the Bible. No where does God ask us to let go of anything. Ever. Over and over, we’re told to hang on
(I’m not suggesting an exact phrase must appear in the Bible in order to be Biblical. I point it out in this case because many people hear this phrase so often in Christian circles, they assume it is found in the Bible).

Another problem with this phrase is it often accompanies a fusion of Christianity and Buddhism. It goes something like this: the moment you cease to care whether or not your desire is fulfilled, God will grant it. The “trick” is to become detached. This isn’t just false, it’s dangerous. When you’re disconnected from your own heart, and from God’s heart, you’re very vulnerable to all kinds of deception. And God wants your whole heart.

Finally, “Let go, let God” is passive. It perpetuates the myth that a life of faith is what happens when we “get out of the way”. The truth is, to walk with Him, we have to walk.

But what about expectations?

This is tricky. Because one thing God showed me recently was that unmet expectations were killing me. Not killing as in spoiling my fun. Killing as in draining the life out of me.

Yet according to the Bible, we also need to hold onto expectations. The same Hebrew word that’s sometimes translated ‘expectation’ is more often translated ‘hope‘. It also means ‘rope’ or ‘cord’.

The Hebrew concept of ‘hope’ isn’t just an abstract idea, it’s grounded in a tangible reality. When we hope in something, we grab on to that thing. We hold it tightly and it can lift us out of despair. That’s why we’re told to hold fast to hope. So which hopes or expectations do we cling to? And what do we do with the other ones?

I need to cling to every expectation, every hope that’s based on a specific promise from God. When it comes to my expectations about who (God and I), what (the vision He’s given me) and why (His delight) I need to hold fast.

I realized God had given me this narrow glimpse of His total vision for my life. And I created an entire panorama around that sliver of revelation. When life didn’t look the way I’d imagined, I doubted the original glimpse from Him.

So God’s been challenging me to take a seek-and-destroy approach to any expectation that isn’t based on His promises. Letting go isn’t enough. When I let go of expectations, they don’t go anywhere. They’re still right there. It’s temping to entertain them, even for a moment. But there’s no life there. Embrace or destroy.

What promises do you need to hang on to? What false expectations do you need to destroy?

Facebook Comments

Dorothy SisterDottie Keith

Letting go is not bad at all depending on what you are letting go of. God himself told me to let go and the reason was because he was transitioning me to another place. And the transition was better than where I was before. It all depends on the situation and what you are letting go of. Somethings you hold on to and some things you just have to let go!
- http://hannahkallio.org/ Hannah Kallio
  
  You’re right. There are times to hold on and times to let go. It’s definitely easier to let go when God is providing a clear sense of direction.
http://debjowen.com Deb

I whole-heartedly disagree.

First, the term originated from an organization that was very closely aligned with Christianity and faith-based groups in it’s inception.

Second, even the Buddhists do not teach that if you let go of expectations then…’poof, your dream will appear.’ Law of Attraction teaches it. Magic teaches it. But Christians don’t. And Buddhists don’t either.

Third, it is a phrase meant to be used in specific ways and in concordance within a larger framework. To take one specific phrase and correlate this much meaning (it being passive) is similar to taking one verse of the Bible and attempting to craft an entire theology.

Most often, it is used to remind others to surrender. Die to self. The concept is very Biblical. When used in the larger framework, action is still taken. But the action may be different than when we believe that we are in control.

Finally….just because a term doesn’t appear in the Bible doesn’t mean the Spirit of it is not true. I hear people today say, “God has my back.” No. They’re not saying, “If God is for us, who can be against us”…..but it does not mean it’s a saying that’s “killing you?” No. It doesn’t.

In fact….I have been witness to many for whom “Let Go and Let God” has saved – and redeemed – their very life.

And if we are going to be so bold as to claim to know, “what God has to say about it”……I’ll put millions of lives that were broken, now reclaimed, against an interpretation based on “it irks me” any day.

But I don’t claim to speak for God. Ever.
- mlekallio
  
  Deb, thanks for taking time to respond and share your concerns.
  First of all, I want to clarify: I wasn’t attacking any organizations or people. I wasn’t writing from a place of “it irks me” but speaking out of my own experience and deep sadness after decades of seeing this phrase derail believers.
  While I don’t claim to be a Buddhist scholar, Buddhism does teach that Nirvana is achieved through detachment, and many Christians also teach that you must become detached from your vision or your passion before God will fulfill it. The law of attraction teaches the opposite, encouraging people to visualize and focus intently on their vision without regard to God’s vision for their lives.
  I didn’t mention the words surrender or submission in the post, (I should have for greater clarity) but I did do an extensive study of these words in the Bible, because I wanted to make sure I was accurately representing scripture as a whole. Surrender and submission are both very important Biblical principles, but I stand behind my original point that “letting go” promotes passivity, where submission, repentance, and surrender are all intentional and active.
  I know many people find great comfort in the phrase, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. I’m glad that you’ve seen good fruit from this philosophy. I’ve seen it hamstring more believers than I can count, and distorts they relate to God and to their own hearts. I did change the title of the post based on your comments, because while I do believe the damage IS that serious in some cases, I admit it’s usually more confusing and damaging than deadly.
  I agree with your point that just because a word or phrase doesn’t appear in the Bible, that doesn’t mean it isn’t consistent with the total message. “Let go” is so pervasive in our culture (much like “God helps those who help themselves”) that many people assume God has instructed them to do so. I felt prompted to point out that He doesn’t.
  I’m not infallible, and when I’m convicted that I’m in error, I confess it publicly. I’ve done so on this blog. But I do claim to speak for God. Every member of God’s family is also an ambassador of His kingdom, and as ambassadors, part of our role is to speak His words of hope. Pointing people toward the only source of true hope and challenging people to rid their lives of false hope is what this post was all about.
Teresa

I don’t actually disagree with the statement “let go and let God”. I do agree that it does sound trite and is often overused though. I have been thinking about the parallels between labor/delivery and spiritual growth ever since I had our last child. You know how you mentioned not actually pushing when you were in labor, and how allowing your body to progress by itself made it all nearly painless? you honoured the way God made your body and the process He designed to allow for a natural birth. So often, allowing things to happen in their own natural time rather than forcing them to comply with our own timetable allows God the time and space He needs to move in our lives. I asked my obstetrician before our last labor and delivery for her best piece of advice for a smooth delivery. Her answer? Wiggle your fingers. She said that when women clench their hands during contractions, their entire body clenches up along with their hands. She said if you wiggle your fingers, your body can’t clench up at the same time. So… That requires not holding on to anything.
Interestingly, years ago Chuck Colson asked Corrie ten Boom for her best piece of spiritual advice. Her response was “hold everything loosely”. This from a woman who traveled all over the world tirelessly spreading God’s Word and constantly encouraging others until the day she died. That sort of attitude doesn’t entail a lack of effort. What it does entail is submission and a personal decision to get rid of our agenda and make room for God to move more effectively.
I disagree that there is nothing in the Bible to suggest that we “let go and let God”. How about “it’s not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit?”
Bearing children and raising children has allowed me the blessing of seeing how things can naturally develop so beautifully without our interference. So often we get in the way and unintentionally delay things when we seek to take control of that which is God’s alone. I am not a patient person by nature, and He is continuing to teach me this. I think you are actually quite good at allowing things to develop naturally–I think we just have different interpretations of this particular phrase.
- mlekallio
  
  Teresa, I agree that God accomplishes His purposes by His Spirit and not by our might or power. And I also agree in terms of our over all relationship to creation being much healthier the more hands off we are. At the same time, there is this mysterious element of God wanting us to partner with Him. There’s the universal unfolding of God’s larger plan that isn’t for me to let go of or grasp at, because on that level He is sovereign. In this post I was addressing our individual realm of realm of influence or control. I said that the phrase “let go” doesn’t appear in the Bible, and that’s true. It does have a lot to say about surrender, but interestingly it doesn’t ever mention surrendering dreams or visions to Him.I’m suggesting that this is because they’re either from Him (in which case we need to hang on) or they’re idols (in which case the seek-and-destroy approach is more fitting). I think you’re right that in principle we agree that submission is an intentional,active process. Thanks for thinking so deeply about this and sharing your thoughts here. I appreciate the divine tension you’ve introduced into the discussion!
  - Teresa
    
    You know, it is so interesting that you wrote about this because the more I think about what you are saying, the more it reminds me of one of the “lenses” that I see life through. I have been using the serenity prayer to help understand myself and others for so many years. I think people’s strengths tend to be their weaknesses as well. Because of this, is so easy to tend towards changing our attitudes to the point of apathy when we should take what’s in our hands and use it to improve a situation. Or, we can try fruitlessly to control and change a situation or another person when what needs changing is our heart and/or mind. I believe only through allowing God to temper and mature us will we get to that happy medium of using both those approaches interchangeably. And I realized too that prayer is ALWAYS the solution… It changes both our attitude and our situation!
    2 Chronicles 20 is a great example of how we need to keep stepping out and not act passively… But also walk in the knowledge, faith and understanding that God is the one fighting for us. I love it!
    - mlekallio
      
      That IS a great example of harmony between action and acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty. Now that I think about it, many Biblical military victories follow a similar rhythm. And I love your point about prayer changing both our inner attitude and outer circumstances!
Angela

Thanks Hannah. I always enjoy your writing but this one particularly hit home for me. My two favorite parts are these:
“This is not only false, it’s dangerous. When you’re disconnected from your own heart, and from God’s heart, you’re very vulnerable to all kinds of deception. And God wants your whole heart.”

“Finally, “Let go, let God” is passive. It perpetuates the myth that a life of faith is what happens when we “get out of the way”. The truth is, to walk with Him, we have to walk.”
Such wisdom here. Shalom!
- mlekallio
  
  Angela, Thanks so much for letting me know what hit home for you! Shalom!
http://Hannahkallio.org Melinda

Something about that phrase always gnawed at me but I never really thought about it until now. Although I understood the concept, it just seemed too “easy”. I would rather hang onto the rope of hope, constantly clinging to Him, until I get to the point of strength in my faith journey that I can more easily let go and rest in Him through the storms. Thank you, God, for sending the Holy Spirit to help me hang on!
- mlekallio
  
  Melinda, Praying for you and with you for strength to hold fast to the good! Shalom, Hannah
Sharon

Wise words, Hannah. I especially could relate to the idea of creating an entire panorama around the sliver of revelation.

Here is where I’m getting stuck: the idea of “cease striving and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 I always thought letting go and letting God, or ceasing to strive meant stop trying to control. And for me, ceasing to strive isn’t so much passive as relinquishing my will and and bending the knee to Him. So often in my life, clinging to Him, ceasing to strive, letting go, may feel passive against the backdrop of taking charge, going, doing- that almost frenetic activity, because in our culture it is so difficult to just be still.
Thoughts?
- mlekallio
  
  These words in Ps 46:10 are understood by some commentators to be addressing God’s enemies who think they can defeat His purposes with military might and human strength. I can’t prove that, but I’m cautious about applying this verse to people who already have an experience of His sovereignty. I see that this Hebrew word that’s translated ‘cease striving’ or ‘be still’ could also be translated ‘let go’ (although that never appears in the Bible, it’s a reasonable translation).
  Here’s the spiritual principle I see throughout scripture and creation: nature abhors a vacuum. So letting go in itself doesn’t result in transformation or peace. Whether you picture is as passively letting go or aggressively destroying, you have to replace it with something truer in order to really have victory. Replacing my desire for control or certainty with a true sense of His sovereignty takes intention and effort. I don’t mean to make more work for anyone or suggest it’s our efforts that save us, but I don’t want anyone to think it will just happen either. So that’s where I’m coming from. What are your thoughts?
  - Sharon
    
    Oh I like your response! Great examples and helpful to understand more clearly the idea of cease striving. I absolutely agree that the idea is not a passive action. Love your wisdom, appreciate what you have to say. Thanks!
    - mlekallio
      
      Thanks for engaging with me on these questions Sharon! I appreciate it.
Jennifer

Hannah- thank you so much for sharing this! I have used that phrase myself and never thought of it that way. I love what God showed you about this phrase compared to His word.
- mlekallio
  
  Jennifer, I’m so thankful that God is continually renewing our minds and challenging our assumptions. Thanks for taking time to examine His word and let Him give you a new perspective.
Guy Chetrit

I understand, and pain through some of the implications reflected from your journey. Somewhere in all of our expectations we need to make room for decernment and for accountability. Accountability in this context is hearing from other people who we trust are also hearing from God. I totally understand that part of decernment is knowing how to filter “godly advice”.
Shabat Shalom, peace be with you, yours, and with all of us, today and forever!
Guy
- mlekallio
  
  Guy, Our journey was in response to specific promises and instructions God gave us, and we did leave lots of room for discernment and accountability before, during, and after. Even though our obedience hasn’t produced the visible fruit we hoped for in the short term, we continue to hang on to those same promises. Shabbat Shalom to you, dear friend!
Laurel

I appreciate your perspective and personally think the expression is trite, however, I take a different meaning to the expression. To me, to “let go, let God” simply means don’t let that which you have no control over have power over you. Acknowledge that the God of the universe is at work. It is a reminder to take off our Jr God badge. The things we cling to we often worship – knowingly or not. I see the expression as a reminder that God is God and we are not. All that said, it isn’t something I say either!
- mlekallio
  
  Laurel, Thanks for sharing your perspective. You’re right about how clinging can be a form of worship, and that’s part of why I’m taking a more active role, ruthlessly going after anything that distracts from the hope He wants me to hold onto. Letting go might be enough for some people, but for me it wasn’t. Since holding onto the wrong hopes is idolatry, I needed to take a more drastic approach.
  - Gabriela
    
    Hi Hannah
    
    Could you please explain and expand on what you mean by
    
    “taking a more active role and ruthlessly going after anything that distracts from the hope He wants me to hold onto”
    I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to say in your answer to Laurel.
    
    While people have said those words to me in the past I never put any weight to them. I think sometimes people hear a catch phrase and run with it never really understanding what they’re saying or even why they’re saying it. While these folks might have good intentions it would serve them better to choose their words carefully as the Bible tells us. You could very well be onto something.
    Xox
    - mlekallio
      
      Hi Gabi,
      II Cor. 10:5 describes what I had in mind: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”. Every imagined hope or expectation that isn’t based on God’s promises is a false hope. I’m a very imaginative person, so for me that imagined hope can become a trap very quickly. I need to call false hope what it is: an idol. I need to actively cast down these false hopes out of the place of honor they held in my thoughts so I can cling to the true hope I have in God. Does that make sense? Thanks for probing and asking for clarification!
      - Gabriela
        
        Hi Hannah
        
        Beautiful Yes, that explains it perfectly. Agree with you all the way!! Good stuff!!
        
        Thank you for the clarification, it was just what I needed. xox
      - mlekallio
        
        Thanks again for asking. I always appreciate the opportunity to clarify!

“Let go, let God.”

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