Let go and let God...

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seapanda

Junior Member
Oct 24, 2016
26
1
0
#1
Hi there. I'd really like to hear from Christians who are trying to 'let go and let God'. I find the idea intriguing, and something I want to do very much. But I am finding it hard to apply in my life. I understand in my mind what it means (after reading a lot on the Internet and elsewhere about this) but when it comes to living it out in my life, it's quite another matter. How do you know when God is acting in your life and when it's the reverse? For example, is this thread something from God, or from me? In following my emotional need to talk to people about this, am I following God? This is a trivial example, perhaps. But I am taking time that I can use elsewhere to do this. On the other hand, it is helping me understand what I need to do better. Helping me, in that sense, to walk better and closer to God.

What do you think? How are you walking with God? What are your struggles?
 
T

torus

Guest
#2
Staying in faith is a struggle for me. This is my fight of faith.
 
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Aug 2, 2009
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#3
Hi there. I'd really like to hear from Christians who are trying to 'let go and let God'. I find the idea intriguing, and something I want to do very much. But I am finding it hard to apply in my life. I understand in my mind what it means (after reading a lot on the Internet and elsewhere about this) but when it comes to living it out in my life, it's quite another matter. How do you know when God is acting in your life and when it's the reverse? For example, is this thread something from God, or from me? In following my emotional need to talk to people about this, am I following God? This is a trivial example, perhaps. But I am taking time that I can use elsewhere to do this. On the other hand, it is helping me understand what I need to do better. Helping me, in that sense, to walk better and closer to God.

What do you think? How are you walking with God? What are your struggles?
Letting go and letting God goes hand-in-hand with being still and knowing that He is God. In other words, stop trying so hard and stop fearing the outcome because you've put it in God's hands and now the ball is in God's court. :)

"Cease striving and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10 NASB)
 
M

missy2014

Guest
#4
Staying in faith is a struggle for me. This is my fight of faith.
dont worry brother God can make it easier for you God's love and comfort to you . i feel your pain i know . the burdens of weight and cares the opposition has been alot for me. He is there he is with you in the fiery trial - Shadrach mishach and abendigo.
Dont give up God's love is greater than what youre going through. suffering with you brother. God bless you keep the faith. Gloryis waiting...~
 
M

missy2014

Guest
#5
Cease striving and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10 NASB) thats very powerful gab and your other words.
 

seapanda

Junior Member
Oct 24, 2016
26
1
0
#6
Thank you, everyone, @missy2014, @zeroturbulence, and @torus. It sounds so simple and yet, when failure hits you between the eyes, it is hard to just 'trust in God'. The problem is not that I am doing something morally wrong, it is that I don't know what, amongst the many grey areas, I should be doing. Right now, I feel like I am falling headlong towards a brickwall. And that something quite disastrous is going to happen. But I don't know what and I don't know how to avoid it. I really don't feel like a child of God, :(.

To me, it is not a question of faith. I believe in God, that He exists and that He loves me. But you cannot deny that difficult times lie in the path of the faithful. One of my biggest difficulties is what Jesus had to suffer for us. If God can allow Jesus, His only and most beloved son, to suffer so much, and for other people's sins, then my journey is not going to be as smooth as I hope. If I accept that as a premise, then, the path forward is going to be full of difficulties and suffering. In the midst of all that, how can I be sure that I am doing His will? I know of so many Christians who are so flawed. And in pointing out the flaws in others, I am aware that there's a plank in my own eye. But I can't see it. How can I remove my plank?
 
M

missy2014

Guest
#7
God give him alot of hope and comfort Lord release this hope and your answers. Ask God to remove the plank - I just im no prophet by the way I just sense Gods love for you strongly and a sense of hope and comfort and just to trust it feels really God.
God I pray and askyou to show you really care and your love the great hope and comfort purpose for whats up ahead.
God comforting you know and i know he will give you such a sense of hope comfort and purpose for yourself and whats gonna happen. God cares and he feels for what youre going through with stronger intensity. God bless you God thy will be done! release your purpose your plans for himin Jesus Name Amen
 
M

missy2014

Guest
#8
sorry my typos typing errors
 
M

missy2014

Guest
#9
stay on the path and God will help you
 
C

Connoisseur

Guest
#10
Hi there. I'd really like to hear from Christians who are trying to 'let go and let God'. I find the idea intriguing, and something I want to do very much. But I am finding it hard to apply in my life. I understand in my mind what it means (after reading a lot on the Internet and elsewhere about this) but when it comes to living it out in my life, it's quite another matter. How do you know when God is acting in your life and when it's the reverse? For example, is this thread something from God, or from me? In following my emotional need to talk to people about this, am I following God? This is a trivial example, perhaps. But I am taking time that I can use elsewhere to do this. On the other hand, it is helping me understand what I need to do better. Helping me, in that sense, to walk better and closer to God.

What do you think? How are you walking with God? What are your struggles?

Hi Seapanda :) Welcome to Christian Chat :)

I am actually going through something similar (although, it's not me really questioning what is of God in my life and what isn't, but more a desire of mine to live life the way He wants me to) and I believe, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, I have received some understanding that has been working for me....maybe it can help you too :)

In order to live a life that is completely surrendered to God, I believe you have to have the highest trust and adoration for His standards of living. Meaning, the guidelines He's set out for us in His word and in the example of the life Jesus lead. When I looked at the ways of the world, briefly considered other religions and 'gods' out there, I came to a place of completely adoring our Father and His plan for mankind. If all of humanity lived the way He asked us to, the world would be a beautiful place :)

For me, the second step was to completely abandon my desires for how I wanted my life to turn out. I lay down all of MY aspirations down at His feet in complete faith that whatever HIS plan was for me, it would be infinitely better than I could ever create on my own. And even if my only reward from surrendering my life to Him comes when I get to heaven, I'm still more than satisfied with that. I was honest with Him when I did it. I told Him that certain desires are still in my heart (marriage, to own my own business, etc.), but that I will surrender them all in favor of His will for my life. I have this conversation with Him daily. Sometimes I have to surrender myself to Him several times a day. Each time I ask for only one thing in return - that He would give me clear and direct guidance, in every moment.

Third, if I am ever in doubt about what I should do in any particular circumstance, and I doubt whether something I'm about to do is His will or mine, I will sit in His word until I have found an answer. I trust that the Holy Spirit will reveal to me somehow through His word the answer that I need. And He really has graciously come through every time.

The more time I have spent repeating the above three steps, the more I've been able to "sense" what the will of God would be in a situation without me having to read the bible, because I've become familiar with His nature and expectations from spending time in His word. AND if I make the wrong decision sometimes, usually the Holy Spirit will let me know in a very distinct way...but it's hard to explain.

Your desire to draw closer to Him is beautiful :) And seeking to discuss these things with your brothers and sisters in Christ is of Him. It's in His word :)

I believe that he will honor your desire for more of Him, and will make things clearer for you as you continue to seek Him above all things. It's worth ALL the effort :)

May God bless you Seapanda!
 
C

Connoisseur

Guest
#11
Hi Seapanda :) Welcome to Christian Chat :)

I am actually going through something similar (although, it's not me really questioning what is of God in my life and what isn't, but more a desire of mine to live life the way He wants me to) and I believe, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, I have received some understanding that has been working for me....maybe it can help you too :)

In order to live a life that is completely surrendered to God, I believe you have to have the highest trust and adoration for His standards of living. Meaning, the guidelines He's set out for us in His word and in the example of the life Jesus lead. When I looked at the ways of the world, briefly considered other religions and 'gods' out there, I came to a place of completely adoring our Father and His plan for mankind. If all of humanity lived the way He asked us to, the world would be a beautiful place :)

For me, the second step was to completely abandon my desires for how I wanted my life to turn out. I lay down all of MY aspirations down at His feet in complete faith that whatever HIS plan was for me, it would be infinitely better than I could ever create on my own. And even if my only reward from surrendering my life to Him comes when I get to heaven, I'm still more than satisfied with that. I was honest with Him when I did it. I told Him that certain desires are still in my heart (marriage, to own my own business, etc.), but that I will surrender them all in favor of His will for my life. I have this conversation with Him daily. Sometimes I have to surrender myself to Him several times a day. Each time I ask for only one thing in return - that He would give me clear and direct guidance, in every moment.

Third, if I am ever in doubt about what I should do in any particular circumstance, and I doubt whether something I'm about to do is His will or mine, I will sit in His word until I have found an answer. I trust that the Holy Spirit will reveal to me somehow through His word the answer that I need. And He really has graciously come through every time.

The more time I have spent repeating the above three steps, the more I've been able to "sense" what the will of God would be in a situation without me having to read the bible, because I've become familiar with His nature and expectations from spending time in His word. AND if I make the wrong decision sometimes, usually the Holy Spirit will let me know in a very distinct way...but it's hard to explain.

Your desire to draw closer to Him is beautiful :) And seeking to discuss these things with your brothers and sisters in Christ is of Him. It's in His word :)

I believe that he will honor your desire for more of Him, and will make things clearer for you as you continue to seek Him above all things. It's worth ALL the effort :)

May God bless you Seapanda!

OH and I forgot to add, I'm sorry...

I sincerely trust that He will answer my prayer and guide me. I don't let doubt come in. So I go on living life, always conscious of Him (and not grieving him) in every moment, and trust that He will steer me where I need to go.

It's' that child-like faith...and it's very freeing :)
 
H

HisHolly

Guest
#12
Do what you do know to do. wisdom, knowledge, understanding, come all the time, people dismiss the simple things and look for the big things and confusion comes bc all gets jumbled.
You're not accountable for what you don't know.
James wrote. To him who knows to do good and doesn't, to Him it's sin..

If you don't know it's good, how can you be accountable for something you didn't know? God's not unjust
 

seapanda

Junior Member
Oct 24, 2016
26
1
0
#13
I feel really blessed to receive so many responses so quickly. Thank you everyone. While it's true that God is not unjust, the world is. And there's where the most difficulties lie. People are simply not as nice as God. The worst thing is that people often do bad things with the best of intentions. Like children, people can be mean without meaning to. They are often more judgemental than compassionate. I am often reminded of what Jesus said at the cross, Father forgive them for they know not what they're doing.

For most of us, we are often sinful out of ignorance, not out of our bad intentions. We have to struggle so hard to walk the Christian walk. We try, but sin remain with us. I'm not trying to be sinless. Nor am I saying that the world should be sinless. What I'm trying to say is that people sin, and we suffer for it anyway. Like the prostitute who was saved from stoning by Jesus. The people who were going to stone her were not criminals but Jews who thought they were doing the right thing.

I want to help, but it seems like what I do is either wrong or misinterpreted. I feel like the prostitute. I am not sinless but I don't want to be stored either. I want to help. I feel like I am being bullied (this is at work), but the people doing it are themselves under a lot of stress and not coping well. Instead of reaching out and working with us, they're lashing out and blaming us. I don't want to lash back but to do what is right in the eyes of God. And yet, I don't know what to do. It's easy enough to forgive them since I can understand the pressure they're under. But I don't know how to help since I'm the one being blamed. I feel like giving up but I don't want to do that either.
 
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HisHolly

Guest
#14
The proverbial whipping post.
The world will always be filled with evil. Jesus said take heart bc He over came the world.
I'm not trying to sound like I'm giving blank advice, but the solution is as simple as switching what you focus on. The world is only as strong as you let it be..
All that live righteous will suffer persecution but you have to see why it's worth it.. You'll never fit in here if you are born from above.. if you want, you'll only be disappointed..
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
#15
Stand and pray.

That is what the Bible tells us to do.

Stand for the truth even if that makes you unpopular with your coworkers. Pray about the situation.

Allow God to show you if you are at fault how to fix it. If you are not at fault how to display God's love by forgiving them but still standing in your innocence. Pray for God's protection and that the truth will prevail against lies, but trust that God will carry you through even if it means finding a new job.

We don't always see the future, but we can trust God...pray God has already given you all you need to live a godly life. The Bible tells us this.,,

I would give you bible verses, but I have a really bad tummy ache...no clue why,
 

seapanda

Junior Member
Oct 24, 2016
26
1
0
#16
Thank you everyone, for the continued prayer and help. I really really appreciate it. Even if it covers old ground, it's still useful. It always helps to be reminded of what to focus on, the basics, as it were.

Many years ago, when I first became a Christian, I was also struggling with myself at work. Reading the Bible and its focus on moral living and trusting God, I wondered what it has to do with the life I'm living. I am, in many ways, your average Joe. Struggling with family, work and personal life. I thought I was living my life as best I can anyway. I'm not a thief, or a murderer or anyone with more than the average amount of "sin". I am not unfaithful, I am quite a good father, etc. I thought I had the moral living part covered. All this trust God and so on seemed quite far removed from the struggles of my life.

I've come to learn that in fact, the heart of all our problems lie in living the moral life. To love God, and to love one another. It seems like the simplest and most obvious thing in the world. But, in fact, it's not. It's actually the most important and in some ways the most difficult thing to do. We forget it, when it should be the guiding principle in our lives.

Over time, I've come to realise how central God is to life. That the things that worry us the most are actually often things that we can't do anything with anyway. Let go and let God. Yup. That's what we need to do. But, it's a struggle still. It's so comforting to hear from all of you. Your sympathy, help and advice are all very comforting. I guess I didn't come here for answers but to seek comfort. Please keep writing and praying for me.
 

seapanda

Junior Member
Oct 24, 2016
26
1
0
#17
Hi Seapanda :) Welcome to Christian Chat :)

I am actually going through something similar (although, it's not me really questioning what is of God in my life and what isn't, but more a desire of mine to live life the way He wants me to) and I believe, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, I have received some understanding that has been working for me....maybe it can help you too :)

In order to live a life that is completely surrendered to God, I believe you have to have the highest trust and adoration for His standards of living. Meaning, the guidelines He's set out for us in His word and in the example of the life Jesus lead. When I looked at the ways of the world, briefly considered other religions and 'gods' out there, I came to a place of completely adoring our Father and His plan for mankind. If all of humanity lived the way He asked us to, the world would be a beautiful place :)

For me, the second step was to completely abandon my desires for how I wanted my life to turn out. I lay down all of MY aspirations down at His feet in complete faith that whatever HIS plan was for me, it would be infinitely better than I could ever create on my own. And even if my only reward from surrendering my life to Him comes when I get to heaven, I'm still more than satisfied with that. I was honest with Him when I did it. I told Him that certain desires are still in my heart (marriage, to own my own business, etc.), but that I will surrender them all in favor of His will for my life. I have this conversation with Him daily. Sometimes I have to surrender myself to Him several times a day. Each time I ask for only one thing in return - that He would give me clear and direct guidance, in every moment.

Third, if I am ever in doubt about what I should do in any particular circumstance, and I doubt whether something I'm about to do is His will or mine, I will sit in His word until I have found an answer. I trust that the Holy Spirit will reveal to me somehow through His word the answer that I need. And He really has graciously come through every time.

The more time I have spent repeating the above three steps, the more I've been able to "sense" what the will of God would be in a situation without me having to read the bible, because I've become familiar with His nature and expectations from spending time in His word. AND if I make the wrong decision sometimes, usually the Holy Spirit will let me know in a very distinct way...but it's hard to explain.

Your desire to draw closer to Him is beautiful :) And seeking to discuss these things with your brothers and sisters in Christ is of Him. It's in His word :)

I believe that he will honor your desire for more of Him, and will make things clearer for you as you continue to seek Him above all things. It's worth ALL the effort :)

May God bless you Seapanda!
Thank you, Connoisseur. Those are very wise and useful suggestions. I will do it more and more. There are several problems I struggle with:
1. Am I doing His will or my will? It's hard to know sometimes. But I do surrender it to Him all the time. I struggle to do His will but I will never struggle to go against it. If there is something I want, and I think it is not His will, I am happy to give it up. But there is this nagging doubt, perhaps he just wants me to try harder? You see, the everyday struggles we have are not so clearly good or bad. It can be good if we get promoted, or a prize, or succeed in our efforts. And it can also be good if we fail. A friend of mine thought that God asked him to give up his work and become a pastor. It was disastrous. He was clearly not made out to lead a church. And yet, good came out of it and he persevered and did better with the second church he started. That's where the nub is. What do you do at the crossroads?

2. "Each time I ask for only one thing in return - that He would give me clear and direct guidance, in every moment." Yup. I ask that as well. But his guidance is not so clear and direct. And certainly not in every moment.

3. "Third, if I am ever in doubt ..." Yes, that's where it comes. We are in doubt, even as we try to do His will.

Hopefully, as you say, it will get clearer with time. I am not saying I will stop trusting in Him and wanting to do His will. I just wish I know what He wants more clearly.

God bless you too, Connoiseur. Thank you very much.
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
#18
Do you have children?

I have a son who is 11 and an 8 year old daughter. When I look at them, I don't control every moment of their lives. That would stress me and them out.

I sometimes ask them to help me with chores, remind them to clean their room, be kind to others, do their homework, respect their teachers.

However, I trust them to prioritize and get their chores done. I don't hover to make sure they do they homework, but I am there if they need help. I take pleasure and joy in seeing them play and be creative in their free time.

How much more does God rejoice in our joy. It is God's will for us to find joy and pleasure in what we do. He doesn't order us around every moment of our lives.

I typically don't pray to know all of God's will or to demand that God tell me what to do every moment of my life. Instead I pray that God take away the desires and thoughts that war against His will and replace them with good and healthy things for me to desire to do instead.

Then I trust that He does. If I am tempted to sin, i trust he will warn me and remind me of His words. If I do fall into a pit, I cry out for Him to lift me up. If I find myself on a mountaintop, I dance and sing with joy for Him and praise His name, giving thanks for His many blessings.

The crossroads..,,you pray and perserve..listen and God will send signs showing that you are on the right path..people will give you words of encouragement, scripture will speakout, sometimes even my dreams affirm that even though the path is not easy, it's the one God wants me to walk.....like Paul knew he would be beaten, imprison and die in Rome, but he went to Jerasulem anyway.

Sometimes the path God asks us to walk, isn't what the world expects. We have to pray and listen to His plan for our lives...,your friend the pastor might have needed "failure" to learn humility. God works that way sometimes. Reminds us it is not by human effort that a church is planted or grows, but only by the Holy Spirit and God's will not ours will be done.

God bless and keep you.
 

seapanda

Junior Member
Oct 24, 2016
26
1
0
#19
Do you have children?

I have a son who is 11 and an 8 year old daughter. When I look at them, I don't control every moment of their lives. That would stress me and them out.

I sometimes ask them to help me with chores, remind them to clean their room, be kind to others, do their homework, respect their teachers.

However, I trust them to prioritize and get their chores done. I don't hover to make sure they do they homework, but I am there if they need help. I take pleasure and joy in seeing them play and be creative in their free time.

How much more does God rejoice in our joy. It is God's will for us to find joy and pleasure in what we do. He doesn't order us around every moment of our lives.

I typically don't pray to know all of God's will or to demand that God tell me what to do every moment of my life. Instead I pray that God take away the desires and thoughts that war against His will and replace them with good and healthy things for me to desire to do instead.

Then I trust that He does. If I am tempted to sin, i trust he will warn me and remind me of His words. If I do fall into a pit, I cry out for Him to lift me up. If I find myself on a mountaintop, I dance and sing with joy for Him and praise His name, giving thanks for His many blessings.

The crossroads..,,you pray and perserve..listen and God will send signs showing that you are on the right path..people will give you words of encouragement, scripture will speakout, sometimes even my dreams affirm that even though the path is not easy, it's the one God wants me to walk.....like Paul knew he would be beaten, imprison and die in Rome, but he went to Jerasulem anyway.

Sometimes the path God asks us to walk, isn't what the world expects. We have to pray and listen to His plan for our lives...,your friend the pastor might have needed "failure" to learn humility. God works that way sometimes. Reminds us it is not by human effort that a church is planted or grows, but only by the Holy Spirit and God's will not ours will be done.

God bless and keep you.
Thank you, Ariel82, for sharing. I do get what you're saying, and I guess most times, I'm like your children, happy to get on with my life without thinking too much about my Father. Like them, I'm basking in the comfort and assurance of His love and protection. During this time, also, I'm confident that I'm walking in His path because I listen to Him and am obedient. And like your children, I don't consciously think about it. Just live in the shadow of His love.

But there are crossroads. And I pray and persevere. And yes, perhaps I need to 'fail to learn humility'. But, hopefully, I prefer to learn simply by listening and obeying. I'd like to think my ears are open to His voice. Sometimes, like now, I feel lost and cannot hear His voice. It's a very frightening place to be.

But hearing your voices, here, amongst His other children, is helping a lot. I bless you, and thank you all. May our Lord God hold you close in the palm of His hand and make your paths straight.
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
#20
Thanks for your,prayers and blessings.

What are the crossroads, if you care to share, that you feel that you are standing at?

Personally I have decided to take a step more towards ordination but I want to make it in God's time,and will and not my own.

Plus I enjoy this time of rest study and family. Ministry is a battlefield I am not sure i am equiped or ready for yet.