Encourage Me: Let Go

“When struck by fear, I let go, depending securely upon You alone.” (Psalm 56:3, VOICE)

Trust isn’t an easy thing to acquire, but it’s one of the most important parts of our relationship with Heavenly Father. When times are hard, that’s when we find it the most challenging to trust the Almighty. How do I trust God with my future when trusting Him seems difficult?

During my 2009 cancer scare (in my mid-forties), I learned that the Lymphoma-Leukemia coursing through body was under the command of God. Either I could get on board with the greater picture of what He was wanting to do in my life, or I could choose to make this a miserable experience by fighting Him all the way.

God wants us to trust Him when we’re having doubts, and are unsure about what to do much like what is conveyed in the song “Falling” by Travis Cottrell. Do you want your relationship with the Almighty to be this way?

On the edge of something big and brave
Every breath is another step of faith
Part of me still likes the ground where I feel safe and sound
But You push me, pull me and I finally let go

Falling, falling
To the heart of someone
So much stronger
Falling into love

Ever closer, closer to the truth
One by one my fears fade into blue
Wherever You are taking me is where I need to be
And You have Your reasons, who am I to say no

Falling, falling
To the heart of someone
So much stronger
Falling into love

I waver, You're steady
I falter, You never fail
You fight for me
I surrender to You, to You

Falling, falling
To the heart of someone
So much stronger
Falling into love

Trust is defined as the belief that someone (or something) is reliable, good, honest, or effective. Trust is like a muscle that you have. The more you exercise it. The more that it grows and is strengthened. How do you strengthen your trust muscle? Here are four important ways to do that:

1. Ask God to give you grace God is never a second late. He always shows up on time at the right moment. He’ll never fail you. You’ll need to stay in prayer during this time because your faith will be tested. During your trial, ask God to give you grace, and to help you trust that He knows what’s best for you.

2. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones Your thoughts are extremely powerful and they can affect things like your mood, your attitude, and your actions. When you find yourself thinking negative thoughts that are bringing you down, start thinking about positive scriptures that will lift you up.

You can do this by committing to memory a favorite scripture. Keep repeating that positive verse out loud until your negative thoughts are replaced with God’s peace that transcends all understanding.

3. Surrender yourself, and all of your troubles to God When you realize that there’s supernatural strength available to you from above, then your perspective on life will change. You can move from worry to worship by realizing that God is in control of every circumstance in your life.

Let Him be the Master of you and of everything in your life. Once you stop trying to do things in your own strength, God will take over and lift you to new heights.

4. Trust God with your life Expect good and great things to happen to you. Assume God’s favor in all areas of your life. This doesn’t mean that life will be easy but it does mean that God will deliver you out of every situation you’re in.

Know that God can and will work miracles on your behalf as He makes the impossible happen. All you have to do is trust that He will come through for you.

For a long time I thought, 'I've got to buck up and be strong. I've got to put on a brave face, and get through this near burnout (or that discouraging time in my life.)” God has really seriously changed my thinking on this. When you take off the mask, you relate at a base level to everyone else who has been through pain (and everyone has). Honesty promotes intimacy, and promotes us together relying on God. True honesty is beautiful. (Rebecca St. James)[i]