The Fine Art of Letting Go

by Monica Hernandez

Do you have problems in letting go the issues that trouble you? I have discovered that one of the biggest challenges we face after we have sought God’s counsel for solving a problem is to let go that issue to Him. However, I have also discovered there is a fine art in letting go and was blessed to learn the secret.

When we are troubled, our human nature tends to hold on to that problem, running negative scenarios over and over in our minds, and though we might pray, we have the tendency to dictate to God the way the solution should come. However, regardless of how we think, God will answer, in any of His manifold ways and in His own timing. I have found that what we need to do after seeking His counsel in a matter is to let it go and let Him perform His wonders for us.

What is it that makes us hold on to a problem after we have sought God about it? It is anxiety and the human need to be always in control. Yet, holding on to the problem causes not only anxiety but fear, and it encourages doubt. That pesky situation seems to keep us tied as though to a stake and we often do not remember that not only we ought to let it go but that we have the capacity to do it.

Letting go to God is not a passive occurrence as some people might think, but a positive choice after one has obeyed the Scripture: “Ask, seek and knock...” This does not mean that we are to live aimlessly, but it means that because we have asked, we are to know we will receive, and because we know we will receive, we can afford to let go the problem. It means that instead of inventing our own solutions, we ask, seek and knock, and make ourselves ready to receive God’s best: His solution and insights from His Spirit to our inner-spirit.

When we do not let go to God we are saying in essence that He does not know our needs and desires, and that He does not know how to fulfil them, even if we told Him. To sum it all up, it means that we are doubting the power of God.

Letting go a problem might be easier said than done, except you know the secret
of the art of letting go. And the secret is to treat the pesky situation like you treat a letter that you put into the mailbox—just let it go!

Think for a moment. When you go to the mailbox to send a letter, do you hold on to it? You cannot mail the letter, yet hold on to it. You just have to let it go! Just the same, when you send a request to God, instead of holding on to it and trying to fix the problem yourself, you can refrain from holding on to it, and thinking how it will be solved.

The Scriptures say: "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered..." (Psalm 68:1). You can let go your problem and let God arise into the situation and work through it for you.

There is a fine art in letting go our concerns to God and it is three-fold: (1) ask, seek and knock on God’s door about the problem, (2) speak a word of release of the problem, and (3) surrender the solution to the wisdom of God.

In this moment, you can resolve to let go and let God perform His perfect work in your life and affairs, knowing that all things work together for good to them that love Him. You can trust Him to uphold you, making your way safe and successful. You can rest in God for underneath are His everlasting arms.

What problems in your life are you holding on to, trying to fix them in your own strength? The following poem by an unknown author tells it all:

Let Go and Let God

As children bring their broken toys, with tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God, but then...
Instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone,
I came around and tried to help with ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back again and cried:
“How could you be so slow!”
“My child” He said: “What could I do, you never did let go...”
—Author unknown

Suggested Readings: Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalm 37:3-8, Proverbs 3:5.

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Ask about the workbook: “Breaking Through the Barriers” by Dr. Hernandez. This book can be a helpful resource to you in overcoming fear, worry and anxiety, guilt and other negative emotions. Telephone (416) 744-9745 or send an email to drmhernandez@newvisionministry.org.