Letting go is scary. Letting go means letting go of control. No one wants to be out of control. But you can’t control everything. You can’t control outcomes. You have to let it go.
Letting go means trusting God. The outcome is in God’s hands. God knows every situation and what is on every person’s heart. The sooner you let go and let God handle a challenge or problems, the sooner you will feel lighter.
My friend Jill Farmer is the author of There’s Not Enough Time and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves. She talks about to-do lists and having a God’s to-do list. I love that! When we let go, we turn our struggle and worries over to God. We put that on his to-do list. (Side note: My to-do list for God is getting longer and longer!)
Holding onto past hurts, past mistakes, anxious and fearful thoughts, etc. clutters your mind and spirit. You can become a prisoner of your own thoughts.
Romans 12:2 urges us to, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”Â
2 Corinthians 3:17 tells us that, “The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”Â
You can’t experience freedom if anxious, obsessive, fearful thoughts clutter your mind. Letting go and letting God’s loving Spirit fill your heart and mind will set you free.
A Prayer for Letting Go
Dear God,
In this moment, I let go of all thoughts and concerns.
When I let go, I am able to receive.
When my hands are formed into tight fists, I cannot open my hands to receive anything.
When I hang onto tight control,
When I close off my heart and my spirit,
I cannot receive your blessings for me.
I let go to receive your blessings.Â
Letting go in this moment, I receive your loving presence around me and within me.
Help me to let go when I am feeling overwhelmed, so that I may receive your peace.
Help me to let go when I feel fear so that in fear’s place I may receive love and courage.
I let go of problems and challenges in order to receive your guidance and clarity.
I let go and trust you.
I will not fall.
You will catch me.
I let go and trust in the still, small voice inside of me.
Help me not to struggle but to surrender my struggle to you.
I gladly receive this gift of letting go and letting you lead me and guide me.
Amen
Receive a copy of this prayer along with an audio version of this in the form of an meditative affirmation. It is from cut #5 from my Meditative Affirmation CD – Let it Go – 10 Meditative Affirmations to Let Go and Let God. Download it for free and I’ll send you the Three Steps to Letting Go.
Need encouragement every day? I know I do! Receive encouragement everyday with God Notes – Daily Doses of Divine Encouragement. Let go of those anxious thoughts and be still with healing words.
Jackie Trottmann
March 28, 2023 4:52 pmHi Theola,
Thank you for writing. I’m glad that the words God put on my heart have blessed you. Thanks for blessing me in return.
Jackie
theola r. mcfadden
March 24, 2023 3:34 amI was awaken qt 3
Iwas awaken at 3-00-am
this morning praying to God for myself and others to help me and them in a stressful situation .I just came across your christian meditation which I had never seen or heard off before,the feeling that came over me is unbeliever.
Thank You .for the blessings that filled my heart. Praises to you and God I
have been blessed. Theola
;
Jackie Trottmann
July 12, 2021 7:44 pmHi Rob,
Thank you for your kind words.
Blessings,
Jackie
Rob Kayce
July 11, 2021 8:51 pmWe sure need more Christians like you Thank you for posting your excerpts and prayers and books so that others may once again or for the first time let go and let God .
Love in christ
Rob kayce
Canada
Jackie Trottmann
March 24, 2020 2:25 pmAmen Andy.
andy cason
March 21, 2020 10:14 pmdear god help people thuroght this viris toomake it go away your friend andy
Jackie Trottmann
September 16, 2019 8:10 pmHi Carmel,
Thank you for sharing. I’m sorry that your relationship did not work out. Prior to meeting Robert, I was not in a Christ-centered relationship. It is very difficult to have a relationship work out without that foundation. You said something very powerful in that you recognize that you need to “allow” God’s strength and peace to come into your life. Keep allowing. : )
Peace and blessings,
Jackie
Carmel
September 16, 2019 5:53 pmHi Jackie,
I have become a born again Christian and suddenly around same time my 3 year relationship ended. He’s not yet found Jesus. I am finding it hard to accept. Thank you for prayer. I’ve been through this before and I am going miss him a lot as he was a good partner. I am praying that it’s only for a season. It hurts so much but gods given me strength and peace at times when I allow it.
Jackie Trottmann
March 20, 2019 1:06 pmHi Julie,
Thank you for sharing here. You’re not alone in finding it hard to let go. We live in a world where we are taught to be self-sufficient, to stand on our own two feet, “If it’s got to be, it’s up to me.” So, in essence, we are taught NOT to let go. Self-control is listed last in the fruits of the Spirit (probably because it’s the hardest). We DO need to exert control over how we take care of ourselves. That includes controlling what doesn’t serve us: negative thoughts, shame, mistakes, etc. and letting those go. Letting go is really letting go of our struggle and letting God take it. I hope you can do that. If it’s any comfort, I need to remind myself daily – sometimes every moment. : )
Peace to you,
Jackie
Julie Williams
March 20, 2019 12:40 pmI have a lot of trouble letting go of things in my life. I know that I need to let go of many things that I struggle with and that I need to let God into my life and to allow Him to take control of things. It is hard for me to let go of those things and turn them over to God. I truly want to be able to let go of those hurts, hang ups, and habits in my life and to let God handle them; so that I may have peace and to feel at peace with things in my life for the first time in my life. Thank you for allowing me to share this here.
Jackie Trottmann
February 18, 2019 11:33 amHi Jennifer,
Thank you for sharing. If we are to have peace, clarity, and direction in our lives, there really isn’t any other way than to let go and trust God. There is another prayer I use a lot, “God, help me get out of my own way.” : )
Keep stepping and trusting and listening to what your heart’s desires are. You don’t need to know what lies ahead. Psalm 37:3-4 says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
May you continue to walk in your calling.
Peace and blessings,
Jackie
Jennifer Stephens
February 17, 2019 11:14 pmMrs. Jackie, Thank you so much. You have truly blessed me. Knowing that it is okay to let go and let God have total control. Trusting God so I can walk in my calling. Again Thank you
Jackie Trottmann
October 24, 2018 8:12 pmHi Angie,
Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing. Decisions can be difficult, but it sounds like you are making the right one. I wanted to share the word, Decide with you from my book God Notes – Daily Doses of Divine Encouragement.
Decide
You can easily become frustrated and stuck because you fail to decide what it is that you want.
I am waiting to give you guidance and resources to help you when you decide.
When you take responsibility for your decisions, you can correct them if they were poor, or multiply them if they were good.
When you let others decide for you, it may seem easier, but you are giving away your power.
You will have regrets if you don’t decide for yourself.
Whatever challenge you face, decide.
I stand at the ready to help you, empower you, and to see your decisions through.
Peace and blessings to you with your decision,
Jackie
Angie
October 7, 2018 10:58 amI just prayed the prayer.I’m letting go of a man I love because it isn’t right and lawful.The pain is real and tangible every single moment.Trusting God to help me in this and through this and to heal me is the only way now.It is difficult but it is a conscious decision I’m making.
Jackie Trottmann
June 20, 2018 9:01 amHi Jay,
Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing. You can only control you and not the outcome. By letting go you are actually “holding on” to God. With your reclaimed and sincere heart, you will show your wife that you are sorry for the wrong doing and that you understand and recognize the hurt that it caused. Hopefully, she will forgive and over time the pain of that hurt will dull as healing and restoration takes place.
I will hold you in my prayers.
Peace to you,
Jackie
Jay
June 20, 2018 8:33 amThank you for this. I had wronged my wife many years ago but am a new man in Christ. I am standing for marriage restoration and although things are improving I feel I have to monitor and control the outcome. So letting go and letting God has been difficult for me although I know that’s what I need to do. I feel that if I let go it will all fall apart again.
Jackie Trottmann
April 3, 2018 8:50 amHi Charles,
Thank you for sharing here. I am so sorry to hear about your situation. It’s understandable why you have no peace.
This morning I felt led to turn to the book of James. I’ve been going through some touch challenges in my life for the past few months also. It was just what I needed to hear and thought I’d share it with you.
James 1:2-8, “Whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
I pray that you will leave this burden in God’s hands so that your mind and spirit can be set free.
Peace to you,
Jackie
charles mulenga
April 3, 2018 2:56 amI am troubled i have got no peace within me for over a year and months now. The situation around my life is being suspended from work without a charge with 6 other friends until now.This is the making of certain individuals used by the enemy to falsely frame cases against us despite being a Christian I have not been still. Thank you for your encouragement to letting go and being still for our God is able. This same word was revealed to me on 29/03/2018 by a certain man of God I am trusting God for his word is faithful. God bless you in Jesus Christ name.
Jackie Trottmann
October 6, 2017 12:13 pmHi Lynette,
Thank you for sharing. I’m sorry that you are facing so much. I don’t know why it seems the case, but, several trying events always stack up on each other. I will hold you and your family in my prayers, that God will hold you in the palm of his hand and provide for you. I ask that those reading this will lift up Lynette in prayer too.
Peace to you,
Jackie
Lynette Rippel
October 5, 2017 4:03 amI am receiving treatment for breast cancer. I am at this point the sole income. My husband an advocate working for accompany that is in the process of laying of staff. My eldest daughter in her final year at university still applying for a job.
Jackie Trottmann
July 4, 2017 4:35 pmHi Tina,
Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing here. People will not change unless they recognize that what they have done was hurtful, they’ve owned it, asked for forgiveness, and truly commit to changing and make progress.
We all have to recognize our own value. You are enough. You are a unique and precious child of God. God’s power and glory is within you.
You are recognizing that this relationship is not working because you have grown. You had the courage to seek help and to change. I wouldn’t even like to say change. I would like to say that you are returning to the true you. The wonderful created being that God created that was good, in the beginning and still is. You have validation from others that it is not “just you” that this relationship is not healthy. A great relationship requires two whole people. It is easier to live being miserable (in a miserable comfort zone) than facing change and letting go. Letting go is scary. But the only way for true freedom, inner peace, and happiness is by letting go and trusting God to not let go of you. I’m glad that you have your own place and support yourself. You need to let him go. I have seen this happen so many times where people just blossom when they get out of a toxic relationship. I left a 20 year marriage that was toxic. Was it easy? NO! Has my life changed forever and for the best? Absolutely! You will have inner peace when you trust the still small voice inside of you that knows the truth. It is your spirit and God’s Spirit dancing together as one. Let go and trust God. I believe you’ve already decided. Now you just need to do it.
Peace to you,
Jackie
Jackie Trottmann
July 4, 2017 4:18 pmHi Wilma,
I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s situation. I had to take time to process this before I responded. First, I would say that God always hears our prayers. How they are answered may not be what we are expecting. Second, you can’t control the boyfriend or your daughter for that matter. They both have wills of their own. The underlying root of abuse is a very complicated issue on the victim’s part and the abuser’s part. As a mother myself, I know the mother grizzly bear side of me would want to come out and defend her. But that’s what a mama grizzly would do and not a human being. Responding with force against force is not a good solution. If there is a women’s abuse center or counseling center, I would seek help to find out how to help your daughter since she is not listening to you. I will certainly hold you, your daughter, and the situation in my prayers. For those reading this, I hope you will pray for this situation too.
Peace,
Jackie
Wilma McAllister
July 3, 2017 2:25 amMy daughter is beat on by her boyfriend and sadly she put up with this. Seems the more I talk to her the more she will not listen. She even has list her kids over this piece of trash. She is my only child, and I can’t understand WHY God is not listening to me. I don’t know how to let this go when my child is being beat on. I can’t understand WHY she STAYS with this trash. He takes his entrie check and spends it on cocaine. Teal this is all love. Does God hear anything that I have prayed for?
Tina digruilles
June 29, 2017 8:25 amJackie.
I have been in a toxic on off relationship for
U years.my family and daughter dislike him one time it was physical. I drank over those years but had the courage tocheckmyself into a rehab got out and havent touched adrink in 2 months. I knew my daughter deserved me and i deserved abetter life for myself. He said if i got sober things weould change they stillhavent. I live in my own place and support myself. I happened to look up prayers cor letting go and you showed up. How do i have inner peace again and tbe strentgh to just let him go and realize thinking we would ever live together happy wont happen.most think he is a narrcisst hes kids mother moved out when she was 6 months pregnant and did tell me some things so i know its not just me. Thank you
Jackie Trottmann
February 18, 2017 12:47 pmHi Caitlin,
Thank you for sharing. Relationships are not easy. I had been in several prior to meeting Robert where I thought they were “the one.” It wasn’t until I let go and loved God first and foremost that my life started to click. I had also let go of “needing” to be in a relationship. That was when God brought Robert into my life. I wouldn’t be doing this work without him.
Robert was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The effects are already starting. I don’t know what the future holds. I’m grateful for the 12 healthy years we’ve had. I’m afraid that life is a constant journey of letting go in some form. But God is there for us through it all when we “let” him.
May you realize God’s love for you and feel it from your head to your toes. :) And trust that God wants you to experience an abundant life.
Peace and blessings,
Jackie
Jackie Trottmann
February 18, 2017 12:20 pmHi Ruthann,
I’m sorry to hear about all of your losses. Losses and challenges seem to come in waves. But waves, the tumultuous ones, thankfully, don’t last forever. Although the aftermath changes our landscape.
Thank you for telling me the meditations have helped. I know that my discipline in meditation has shown up in the form of strength and peace when life’s storms hit. I’m glad you “stumbled” upon me too. :)
Peace to you,
Jackie
Ruthann Dean
February 18, 2017 8:56 amHi Jackie…..what a blessing for me to “stumble” across your writings. The last five years of my life has been very stressful, loss of my husband, mother and several surgeries. It is in those times, that it is so difficult to “be still”. Your meditations have been so helpful.
Blessings,
Ruthann
Caitlin
February 17, 2017 11:45 amHi Jackie,
Thank you for sharing this prayer. I was in a relationship for three years. I thought we would end up married. This is the man I have chosen. I love him, and still see a wonderful life with him. We are not together anymore. But still in contact. I am trying so hard to let go and trust God to work on my ex and to talk to his heart. I have no idea what will happen in our future, God knows my heart and He knows my pain. So I am trusting that if I let go, God will bless me and surprise me. Either way I know happiness and love are just around the bend…
God bless
Caitlin.
Jackie Trottmann
November 26, 2016 10:12 amHi Lisa,
Thank you for commenting and being so vulnerable in sharing. Sorry for my tardy reply. My mother passed away just over a month ago and the last two months leading up to her death has caused my brain to leave! Her death also brought up a LOT of issues from the past that I thought I had dealt with too. So, I understand what you mean.
Quieting the mind is not easy to do. But until you heal from past hurts and learn to quiet the repetitive thoughts, you won’t have peace and you won’t be able to move forward. I don’t believe that there are any wrong turns, only detours. Also, we can’t be loosey goosey and just say that God has a plan and take no action. We need to have a plan too. When that plan includes using our gifts and talents and living from a place of what gives us life, then we live out our purpose each day.
It takes getting to the point of surrender when we say, “I can’t do this anymore, God. You take it.” That is letting go. No one likes to give up control. But, truly, trying to control is stressful energy that keeps us from receiving all of the blessings God has in store for us. The only control we DO have is how we will react and whether we let others steal our joy and peace. WE are in control of our actions.
I was in the corporate world for 30 years. It can be a very hostile place. I wish I had learned meditation while I was in that toxic environment. In the words of the psalmist, “Be still and know that I am God.” Our lives are learning (and a lot of unlearning!) that we apply to live fully and freely.
Be gentle with yourself. You are right, there is no way of knowing the outcome. Just start now, where you are, and take a step at a time.
Peace to you,
Jackie
Lisa
November 14, 2016 7:40 amHi Jackie
Thank you for allowing God to speak through you and for your prayer of “Letting Go Of The Past”.
I have known Christ mostly all of my life, however letting go of past hurts and feelings of regrets has always been a struggle of mine. I thought that part of my life was healed but recently I experienced several tests that caused me to question.
My manager attempting the process of having me removed from my job and tried to block any possible chances of me transferring to another dept by discrediting my work efforts.
Through Gods grace and mercy a way of escape was made and my reputation was restored.
Recently a Leaderships decision was made to move my team back to previous management (old manager) and I found it so hard to let go of the past.
How can I let go and forgive the man who tried to take food out of mouth of my family? Through prayers, I was able to forgive, sometime forgiving him multiple time a day but not forgetting.
I believe because of me not letting go, that I may have introduced the spirit of regret. My mind began plague with missed work opportunities and positions I turned down that I believed would have allowed me to avoid what happened to me.Truth is, there is no way of really knowing.
I know God has a plan for me and to receive his plan I have to fully turn my pain and regrets over to him in order to receive his healing.
I thank you for your prayer as I begin the journey of receiving God peace and complete healing in my life.
Jackie Trottmann
August 17, 2016 8:38 pmHi Wendy,
I’m so sorry to hear about your situation with your son. Unfortunately, you can’t control his choices. If he lives with you, I’m sure that is also very stressful. I would recommend you meet with his parole officer and also seek guidance from a pastor or someone that can help you through this time. All those who come to this post, I ask that you keep Wendy and her son in your prayers.
Peace to you,
Jackie
Wendy
August 17, 2016 7:52 pmI’m hoping someone can tell me what I’m
Supposed do I have an 18 who does nothing’s but party get high and drunk, he also has a charge on him and five years probation , I.need to learn to let go of him and his situations he driving me crazy like I’m loosing mymind daily…help please
Jackie Trottmann
July 18, 2016 2:03 pmHello Misty,
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story here. I am so sorry to hear what happened. I guess the company had some pretty strict policies. It seems that something could have been worked out since you told your employer and could have made the situation right. For those coming to this comment. Please hold Misty in your prayers. I pray that you will receive a positive outcome.
Peace to you,
Jackie
Misty
July 9, 2016 10:35 pmThank you for this. I am really struggling with worry over the outcome of a possibly bad life changing situation. I am a good person but I didn’t trust in God to provide for my family when we were struggling and I used a credit card that belonged to the company I work for to purchase clothing and groceries for my children. I told my employer what I had done and she pressed charges. I have never been in any trouble but I am terrified of what is going to happen to me. I can’t bare the thought of being away from my precious children and wonderful husband. I am trying so hard to trust and not be anxious. It’s so hard though. The devil is in my ear and no matter how I rebuke him in Jesus name it’s there. I feel so broken.
Jackie Trottmann
April 4, 2016 11:21 amHi Martina,
I’m sorry you are going through a rough time. If you haven’t, click on the green button to receive the Letting Go meditation. I also send out a series of three emails to help you walk through the process of letting go. You can reply to the emails directly to me.
Peace to you.
Jackie
martina
March 24, 2016 8:03 pmHii Jackie..thanks for the counsel…I wished I could talk to you always so u can help me go tru this..
Jackie Trottmann
March 17, 2016 11:30 amHi Terrance,
Thank you for commenting. I’m glad that the prayer helped you. I’ve heard someone say that worry is praying for something you don’t want. I thought that was very powerful and true. I don’t know why we make letting go so hard, but we do. So, continue to let go and let God love you, lead you and guide you. : )
Peace,
Jackie
Terrance Davidson
March 17, 2016 10:52 amThanks for the Prayer “Jackie”it helped it a lot, and looking at Life from Gods perspective about his understanding and timing on Life blessing to not stress or worry just “Pray” and “Let Go”
Jackie Trottmann
January 12, 2016 11:10 amHi Melanie,
Thank you for your vulnerability in commenting. That is a step of trust right there. :) Unfortunately, we have to hit bottom, to break open, or be swallowed up in darkness before we can breakthrough. Perhaps, also, that is not unfortunate. :) To feel and “go through” is what we must do to emerge whole and step into our light. My trust certainly didn’t happen overnight. I turned away from God for about 20 years. It is an ongoing process – allowing. It is SO simple and quite easy, yet so hard at the same time. Now that I have decades to look back on, I can see God’s work and how my worry and doubts – my lack of trust – just caused needless suffering. God is always there for us. May you allow God’s love to enfold you and restore you to wholeness.
Peace,
Jackie
Melanie
January 8, 2016 4:21 pmI came across this page as I am in a place of brokenness.Learning to reach out to God instead of others is hard but not impossible.I have never really trusted anyone least of all God.I am thankful and appreciative of you and how you allow God to use you.God bless you.
Jackie Trottmann
November 12, 2015 7:17 pmHi Brenda,
Thank you. Glad it spoke to you!
Peace and blessings,
Jackie
Brenda
November 12, 2015 2:52 pmThank you,this prayer speaks volumes!
Jackie Trottmann
October 16, 2015 8:39 amThank you for being brave in sharing. God is the God of a million chances. We all make wrong choices. The fact that you acknowledge and accept those choices is cause for celebration. You can move forward and make good choices.
Peace to you,
Jackie
Terri
September 30, 2015 3:59 pmI have made so many wrong choices, and so many suffer because of them. They are innocent.
Please protect them. Amen.
Jackie Trottmann
July 17, 2015 9:41 amHi Angela,
Thank you for commenting and for “letting” me know that it has helped you. It blesses me in a big way. Letting go and letting God seems so simple, but we don’t make it easy. Another favorite prayer is, “God, please help me to get out of my own way.” :) You said it that we don’t have to worry. That is an amazing and freeing place to be. May you continue to feel free as you let go and let God.
Peace, courage and abundant blessings,
Jackie
Angela
July 17, 2015 9:18 amThank you so much for this prayer! As I read it & at the end I added a few words to God from myself about letting go & I can say I truly feel free! I feel that I don’t have to worry anymore of anything but to let it go & give to God to handle. That prayer has helped me in just a short time of reading it & I just wanna thank God himself for giving the words to you to help others let go and let God!! God bless you!
Jackie Trottmann
July 9, 2015 11:53 amHi Aaron,
I am a recovering control freak. :) Thank you for commenting. I’m glad the prayer spoke to you. Control is a funny thing. Growing up, so many things were out of my control that I tried to control everything I could.
When we hold on so tight, we can’t receive. So, it is truly a faith walk of trust, to let go and let God lead. It is really quite freeing once you start to try it with baby steps.
I am reminded how many times there are messengers in the Bible. They always announced themselves the same way, “Fear not.” May you learn to not be afraid and trust in God to let go.
Peace and blessings,
Jackie
Aaron
July 7, 2015 8:56 amI try to control because I am afraid and I am afraid because I can not control. This prayer speaks to me and helps me speak to Him. Thank you.
Jackie Trottmann
February 4, 2015 6:42 pmThank you.
Maria Pichardo
February 4, 2015 3:56 pmThank you. You are blessed!
Jackie Trottmann
November 6, 2014 11:12 amThank you. You have blessed me.
Jackie
Sychelle
November 2, 2014 7:37 pmGod bless you.