Letting Go: 9 Steps to Surrender Control and Trust God’s Plan
In a world that requires control over outcomes and opinions, letting go can even feel like a weakness. But Christians know better, and we know that in the Kingdom of God, surrendering is strength. To trust God fully doesn’t mean becoming passive or ignoring problems, but releasing your white-knuckled grip and placing your plans, your fears, and your heart into the hands of the One who already knows the outcome.
Life can throw challenges our way, and when you hold on to everything, you will easily feel overwhelmed. We may find ourselves trying to control the outcome and fearing the next, but what if the true peace comes from letting go? Sometimes it’s difficult to trust God’s plan, especially if you’re not sure what’s ahead. Through each step, we learn how to release fears and truly let God take the lead.
These are some powerful ways to truly leave it in God’s hands:
1. Shift your perspective
Focus only on what’s in front of you. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with headlines, heartbreak, and the unknown. The Scripture reminds us to lift our eyes by telling us, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2.
By letting go, the way you see the world will change. You remember that you’re not only a citizen of this country but a citizen of heaven. It becomes easy to trust that God is working in the unseen when you shift perspective toward eternity.
2. Embrace the Eternal
When temporary feels like everything, anxiety starts to rise. Remember, this life is not the end of the story, but a chapter. When you anchor yourself in the truth that this life is only fleeting compared to the greatness of eternity awaiting, peace quickly becomes possible.
Every joy, every hardship, and every delay is nothing but a moment on the timeline of forever, and this changes everything. You can let it go, as God is not working in the now, but He’s preparing you for what’s beyond.
3. Find Purpose in Trials
When you don’t see the bigger picture, pain feels pointless. God never wastes a wound, and trials are meant to refine us, humble us, and bring us closer to Him when comfort can’t.
“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3
So, instead of wondering why this is happening to you, try to ask yourself what God is throwing in your trough through this. Letting go is also believing that even this event that seems unfair and that made you feel miserable is part of something sacred.
4. Focus on the bigger picture
Will this matter five years from now? I know, when you’re caught up in stress and sorrow, it’s hard to zoom out. But think how much it might count in five or ten years or in eternity. Will this still matter? Probably not. The only things that will still matter are your faith, your love, and your trust.
As God’s view is infinite, he sees the entire puzzle when you only see your piece. And you won’t even have to understand the plan to simply believe that it’s good. Letting go is trusting the One Who Plans, not the process.
5. Talk to God Constantly
Letting go is a daily conversation rather than a one-time event. You can talk to Him when you’re tired, scared, when you’re doubting, or when you’re hopeful. He can handle it all. Prayer is where the spirit breathes, and this is how you release our burdens in real time. The only thing you need is a willing heart, not perfect words.
6. Saturate your mind with truth
If your thoughts are filled with fear, you can’t expect peace. What his mind needs is to be renewed daily, and God’s Word is the filter bringing clarity and calm.
So, worship, read scripture, journal, and replace lies with truth. When you fill your mind with God’s promises, there is not so much room left to panic.
7. Surrender control daily
While letting go is not a one-time choice but a rhythm, some mornings you may feel strong, while other days you’ll feel like grabbing the reins again.
Surrendering is about returning each day and saying, “Here, Lord. I give it back.” There is so much freedom in not being in control and remembering it’s not your job to carry the weight of the world, as Jesus already did.
8. Trust Who God Is, Not What You Feel
Feelings are real, but not reliable. They easily change based on the latest news, the way we sleep, stress, and hormones. But God? He remains steady, unchanging, and faithful.
Even when your emotions tell you that everything is falling apart, hold on to God and remind yourself: God is good, God is with you, God is for you, and God never fails.
9. Walk in Obedience, Even When It’s Hard
Letting go is far from meaning doing nothing. It means doing the next right thing in faith. So, even when the path is foggy, keep walking. God is not promising you that you can see the whole staircase. You can only see the next step. Obedience is the biggest act of trust, and you don’t need to know the outcome, but to stay close to the One who does.
A Letting Go Practice
If you’re currently holding something too heavy, there is a simple act of surrender you can do for your soul. You can write everything down on a piece of paper, fold it slowly, and whisper, “God, I’m giving this to You.” This way, you’re not ignoring your burden, and you’re aware of it fully, but just placing it where it belongs: in God’s hands.
A Short Prayer
When you talk to God, say it out loud and remember that He sees what you can’t fix. He knows you’re too tired to carry it. Ask Him to help you release what was never yours to hold, and ask Him to teach you to trust Him fully. Ask Him to teach you how to trust not only in your words but in your choices. End in relief and speak words like “I surrender again today. Let Your peace replace my panic. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Reflection questions
If you need to go deeper and use the power of the bond between you and God fully, you can think about these topics:
What would change in me if I fully trusted God with this?
What area of my life do I need to release to God right now?
Where do I feel the need to control something out of fear?
Letting go is far from meaning losing. It means handing your life over to the Absolute Someone, far more capable than you. You’re longing for peace, and peace is not found in control but in surrender. Your hands are not meant to carry it all. His are.
You can use a journal to feel closer to God, and the most important and useful practice is gratitude. It’s important to count your blessings and keep being grateful, no matter what you’re going through. You can go for a gratitude journal to remind you to show gratitude every day. Check this one on Amazon and release your fears while living in joy and faith.
