Release Your Grip
“How do I actually let go of control and trust God without feeling like everything will fall apart?”
Letting go of control is one of the hardest things to do, especially when we feel like everything depends on us. But here’s the truth: God knows what He is doing, and His plan for you is greater than anything you could imagine.
Psalm 13:5-6 reminds us to trust in His unfailing love, to rejoice in His salvation, and to praise Him for His goodness. When we feel the weight of control, it’s often because we’re unsure if things will work out. But God doesn’t just see today, He sees the entire journey. Proverbs 16:3-4 tells us that God has already established the plans He has for you. He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 55:8-9), and though His ways are higher than ours, we can trust that they are always good.
God’s Character Is the Foundation of Your Trust
God is a loving God. He doesn’t ask you to trust Him because He wants to take something away from you. He invites you to trust Him because He wants to give you peace, joy, and freedom (John 10:10). His love is perfect and drives out fear (1 John 4:18). When we take control, it’s often because we’ve believed the lies of the deceiver (John 8:44), the lie that God isn’t enough or that things will fall apart without us. But the truth is that God is more than enough, and He is working everything out for your good (Romans 8:28).
Letting Go Means Leaning In
Letting go of control doesn’t mean you stop caring; it means you start trusting. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. Acknowledging Him in all your ways (including your fears, doubts, and tears) allows Him to direct your path. You don’t have to have it all figured out because He does.
Look at Moses, he likely felt like a failure after leaving Egypt, yet God used what seemed like a setback to prepare him to lead His people. Abraham left everything familiar to follow God into the unknown. Joseph was sold into slavery and imprisoned, but God had a greater plan to use those hardships to save a nation. When we let go, we allow God to take the things we see as failures or struggles and turn them into something beautiful (Joel 2:25).
God is Building Something in You
When you’re in a season of wanting to control everything, it’s because you care deeply. God sees that, and He’s using this time to build your strength, courage, and trust in Him. Just as Gideon had to trust God with fewer men to defeat a larger enemy (Judges 7), God shows you that He can do far more with less than you could ever do with more.
Jesus Himself didn’t act on His own but relied entirely on the Father (John 5:19, 30). If even Jesus depended on the Father’s direction, how much more should we? Trusting God doesn’t mean doing nothing, it means acknowledging that your strength comes from Him and walking forward in obedience as He leads.
What’s at Stake If You Don’t Let Go?
Holding onto control will only lead to burnout, stress, and fear. You were never meant to carry that weight alone. Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us to throw off everything that hinders us so we can run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.
You may feel like nothing is happening, but God is always working, leading you, even in the waiting. Just as the Israelites wandered for 40 years to kill off their unbelief, God is using this time to refine you, strengthen your faith, and prepare you for what’s ahead.
How to Let Go of Control Practically
- Come Honestly to God: Hebrews 4:16 says to approach the throne of grace with confidence. Be honest with God about your fears, frustrations, and doubts. He can handle your honesty. Cry out, yell, or write it all down, but don’t hold back.
- Acknowledge Him in the Moment: Whether it’s a small decision or a major life challenge, invite Him into it. Trust that He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:6) through His Word, the leading of His Spirit, and the circumstances He orchestrates.
- Remember His Faithfulness: When you’re tempted to take control, remind yourself of His faithfulness. Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Think back to how He has been faithful to you in the past. He will be faithful again.
- Refuse to Cast Away Your Confidence: When situations feel uncertain, don’t let fear steal your confidence. Like Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6) or the three men in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:17-18), stand firm in the knowledge that God is with you, even in the hardest moments.
Final Encouragement: Letting go of control feels risky because it’s an act of trust, but it’s also an act of freedom. God’s plans for you are for good, not harm, to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). The more you lean into His unfailing love, the more you’ll experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing He’s got everything under control, even when it feels like everything is falling apart.
He is inviting you to rest, not because He wants something from you, but because He wants something for you: freedom, joy, and confidence in His love. Are you ready to take that step today? Reply "cards" to this article and I will send you my 31 biblical affirmation cards for free! These cards will help you speak God's words of love and provision over your life so you can build yourself up on your most holy faith.
