Let Go – Let God
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“That is why I am suffering as I am, yet I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day” (2 Timothy 1:12, NIV).
Paul was imprisoned in Rome when he wrote these words to Timothy. Paul speaks with clarity and conviction, knowing that God will look after those things that are of most importance to him, even as he writes alone in his cell.
I wonder what was important to Paul? For sure he valued the gospel message that Paul had been so faithful in sharing. But I believe that people were his biggest investment—loved ones like Timothy that were now beyond his reach.
I have a book mark in my Bible –a picture of a little girl. Written on the back are the precious names and dates when I entrusted my three daughters to His care. That was many years ago when they were close beside me each day. Now they are scattered far and wide.
Have you entrusted a loved one to His care? Sometimes it’s hard to let go without giving way to fears that arise, especially when we see them making poor choices. Maybe it’s the mothering instinct that we have but many of us long to “fix” our children, our family, and those we love so deeply. I once heard a mother asked which of her children she loved the most. Her response was, the child that hurts the deepest.
Jesus prayed for his disciples as he was preparing to leave them. (John 17:11-15) He asked the father to protect them. While he was with them, He protected them, but now the time had come to send them out into the word. In verse 15 he asks the father not to take them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one.
This is my prayer for my daughters. I can’t shelter them from the evil in this world, but there is one who can. If ever I am tempted to worry about them, I look at my bookmark, and I’m reminded that I have entrusted them to His care. My heavenly Father is a faithful God who has proved himself many times. He is able to keep that which I’ve committed to him. As much as I love them, He loves them more.
Who do you need to let go of today, end entrust to His care?
Thank you Father that you watch over those that we love and that as we pray for them, you will continue to work in their lives through the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us Lord, to not be tempted to worry over them, but entrust them to your care. Amen
Questions: Do you need to let go of something and give to God?
About the author Beverley Rayner
17 Responses to “Let Go – Let God”
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Marilyn, thank you. Your words are most comforting. Thank you for sharing.
Hi kanj! Loving God more than we do our children is not possible, but for the power of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, drawing us closer to Him! That is what God had to reveal to me as well, for I unwittingly idolized my children, and I feared losing them! Once He has become ‘enough’ in our lives to satisfy every longing or need, the worries of this world seem to fade, replaced with the hope-filled anticipation of His return! God bless, dear sister!
Thank you Beverley for the subject matter of your devotional has obviously touched many hearts out there. I am one of the many. I have two children, excuse me, two adult children (20, 21, my son the youngest and my daughter the older). I remember in my second year (last year)of new life as a Christian, the realization that MY children weren’t MINE, well, I tell you, my eyes opened as big as saucers (literally). My children belonged to God, not me. Both are agnostic at this time and that saddens me but at the same time does not prevent me from praying and asking God to watch over them. Once I realized that they belonged to the Lord, somehow that was an epiphany in my spiritual growth. I don’t worry about my children, I am however concerned of their well being. I am concerned that they are making right choices yet I know if they are not, I have to ‘let go and let God’. I am more of a help than a hinder when I give my heart’s tugs to the Lord. I can respond better when ‘that’ phone call comes in the middle of the night. What I’m trying to say is that no matter what, I love my children, unequivocally, but I love my Father more.
I do need to let go each day in order to let God in. That’s what I have to give God.
Thank you La for sharing and for you words of encouragement. It has now been 9 days since my posting and even though the circumstances look the same, I am trusting God that He is working all things out. I thank God for sisters in Christ who come to our side and minister to us when our hearts are broken. I am in Gods waiting room right now and am trusting Him with every fiber in me. Please continue to pray for my daughter.
When I was a young parent, life was hard (I made it that way myself). Oh, I would pray, but still get discouraged (so where was my faith?) ~ One day I decided that I had to believe in the Lord and His LOVE. As I continue to give my everything to God every day, the sting of life is less. I still have (some would say) major issues, however, my faith has INCREASED and the pain has DECREASED. I am forever grateful to God, and my hope is that my children and grandchildren will also have this same faith. Given ALL THINGS to God, and knowing it is ALL His (as He wants it :), makes it (the sting) a gentle poke.
I will also share, that God’s plan for my (now adult) son, was so much better than mine. All I had to do was “Let it go”… and BELIEVE. My husband also realizes now his weakness in alcohol, and he is “working on it”, so it’s all in God’s time and in God’s precious hands. ~ God knows each of His sheep, and the path they must take to serve Him best. We can’t DO this life without the Holy Spirit and re: to Him daily as we change constantly; He is forever the same; PTL.
It’s Tuesday and i am just getting around to reading the daily devotional from Sunday…life happens… i just want to say how perfect this title was after attending a Saturday womens retreat. One personal testimony of a lady said she had a certain saying that meant alot to her and it was simply “Let Go and Let God”… when time came for prayer requests, i simply wrote, I’d like to be able to “Let go and let God”… then this devotional came through my email….God surely does answer prayer! I am still trying to let go…
Gracious, heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of praying for sisters in the family of God, who know You are faithful, yet are heavy-laden with worries over precious loved ones! How we long for our dear children to walk with You, Lord, to taste of Your goodness and savor the sweetness of fellowship with You! It breaks our hearts, Lord, to watch them choose paths that lead them astray, and fall to temptations that offer temporal gratifications, but little hope. You, Lord, are our only hope, for in You we find our redemption and our purpose! I lift up dear Cindy to You, Lord, asking for Your tender comfort and encouragement for her burdened heart! You know the heartache she feels over her daughter’s choices, how she longs to see her follow You. Lift her spirit, Lord, and reassure her of Your faithfulness! May she realize that her love for her daughter is but a glimmer of the depth of love that You have for her, and that Your eyes are upon her as she wanders afar! Direct her daughter’s steps, I pray, that they would lead her back to You. And grant Cindy peace in her heart, Lord, as she waits upon You, knowing that Your timing is perfect, and Your plans are profitable! In Jesus’ most holy name, amen!
Thank you for this message today. We are going thru a very difficult time with my daughter. She is in a place that no one would want their daughter (or any loved one) to be. I have asked the Lord to do whatever it takes to bring her back and if this is what it takes then I will trust. Some days are harder than others and today has been one of those days where my faith has faltered. This message came at the perfect time. Thank you Lord. Please pray for my daugher.
Dear Ria, am honored to pray for you . . .
Loving and faithful Father, we praise You for Your ministry here through these daily devotions, for the encouragement and compassion that are shared amongst its readers, and for the blessings of sisterhood in the faith! Thank You for giving us Your eyes to see our circumstances in the light of hope, knowing that You are there, illuminating our paths, guiding our steps, and offering us companionship on the journey! You, alone, are worthy of our praises and adoration, and we lift Your name on high! We thank You that, because of Jesus’ redeeming blood, and our confession of faith in Him alone, we can come boldly to Your throne of grace and bring our burdens and petitions to You, knowing that You care and desire to turn them into blessings! Help us, Lord, to see the joy in our trials, that we may be refined like gold, and shine more brilliantly for You! We lift up our precious sister, Ria, to You, Lord, and ask for Your wisdom and direction for her in her marriage! Surround her with godly sisters and counsel, as she manages her household and makes decisions. Purge her heart, Lord, of any bitterness and resentment that would steal her joy, and restore her hope in You! May the power of Your Spirit break the stronghold of excessive drinking that holds her husband hostage, and set him free to lead his home responsibly, and love his wife sacrificially. We pray these things in the precious, most holy name of Jesus, amen!
Thank you so much Trisha for those encouraging words. May God richly bless you and yours. You are on my prayer list. Thats o.k about the name. (I dont like to wear the glasses I should wear either):)
i didn’t see your name was “ria” (i didn’t have my glasses on so it looked like na) sorry…i wanted to leave you with God’s Word as well “I pray that the God
who gives hope
will fill you
with much joy and peace
while you trust in him.”
Romans 15:13
Dear na, my heart understands your pain. i was married to a drunk and it was awful. Have you tried going to a christian support group? Have you seen the movie “Lois’s Story”? It was made by Hallmark and will give you better insight into the disease of alcoholism. The man i love is a compulsive gambler which in my humble opinion is even worse! i have to keep my eyes on my wallet and other expensive things or he’ll steal and pawn them.He went without heat at his place for 2 yrs b/c he couldn’t pay the bill! The lying he does makes me physically sick which is why i separated from him. God calls us to His peace. Fasting and praying has helped me stay focused on HIS love for ME. When i realize how much the LORD loves me, i can filter HIS unconditional love through my eyes towards the other person. Like i said, i’ve always had to be in control of my life so yes it’s harder to let go yet the more i trust God the more relief i get. i pray HE increases your Faith and i pray HE puts more loving pressure on your husband. Abusive and dependent behavior needs the bondages to be broken. Is anything impossible to Jesus? Blessings your way ~trisha
Every word I have heard this morning has reminded me of what I am doing wrong. I am holding on to lots of resentment and anxiety because of my husbands drinking. The more I try to “help” the more damage I do. I try to let it go, but the controling part of me keeps doing more damage. I cant seem to let go and let God handle the situation, I really need your prayers in this area. I know the battle is not mine its the Lords and he know what to do and how to do it. please pray for and with me daily devo people. I need to do what is right.
thanks
DonnaL, I think of you often and hope all is well with you! Have continued reading the devotions; however, cut back on my blog participation, as I found myself becoming too computer-bound. Sending my love to you around the world, and trusting that the Lord will continue to bless you and minister unto and through you! Lovingly, Marilyn
Thank you Beverley for the encouragement today. It is time for me to have a really good look at myself and my lack of faith. Lately I find myself slipping in fear and anxiety. I, in my heart know that my Lord can be trusted with everything in my life including the people that I love so dearly. Dear Marilyn, thank you for the reminder that these family members are mine to love, not to worry about. The Lord knows them intimately and will look after them much better than I can. Love to you all.
Dear Beverley,
your devo couldn’t have come at a better time. 6 yrs ago i was holding on SO tight to a relationship it was causing me nothing but fear, insecurites, anger, resentments, bitterness to name a few! As i continued to release it to the LORD, HE kept bringing me closer to Himself. HE had to one by one pull these bondages apart from me like they were velcro in the very beginning (it hurt too!) Now i am at the level of Faith where i lovingly GIVE them to HIM and know there is nothing i can do to change the things in the relationship which need to go. i had such high hopes in my loved one and like the scripture says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Well, i was very sick over it. Now, i don’t let my Peace be disturbed or the Joy taken from me. i KNOW God has the whole thing under His control. Being a person who always had to BE IN control…letting go was very very difficult. Thank you so much for the prayer. i’ve made 2 bookmarks out of it to remind me. Bless His Holy Name ~trisha
Amen and amen, Beverley! When I became a believer 17 years ago, my children were 9 and 4 1/2 years old. Having always felt the huge responsibility of protecting them from harm and guarding their hearts, I trusted God in everything else, but safe-guarding my children! My lack of faith in Him to watch over them caused me needless worry, and then remorse. God, then, opened my eyes to see that my children weren’t really mine, but His, entrusted to me for a pre-designated time, to love and train up in the ways of the Lord, to serve Him for a purpose that He would reveal to them in His time. I was fearful of losing what really wasn’t mine in the first place! This did not mean that I no longer concerned myself with their safety, but that in circumstances which I had no control over, I had to trust God with their safety and His provision, knowing that He had proven Himself faithful time and time again! As He knows our mother-hearts, and the burden we feel for our precious children, He is trust-worthy in His watch-care over them, and they are safe in His grasp!