While I’m writing this devotion, I’m also learning to let go of control.

Our son was getting ready to start a new adventure. Packing, driving, getting settled into a new dorm room, and meeting a new roommate for the first time.

And for the first time in his life, I wouldn’t be there to enjoy these “firsts” with him.

Because of a pre-planned vacation, my husband and I couldn’t accompany our son on his journey to get settled into his new home. That's fine for our independent boy, but not so great for this mom who likes to be in control. The hurt in my heart was almost indescribable.

Why do I have such a hard time letting go?

It’s hard to let go, trust God is in control, and just let things happen, especially when I question the decisions and choices being made. There are times when I’m tempted to intervene, even when God hasn’t asked me to. During those times I need to know what the bible says about letting go of control. I need to know how to let go and let God handle it, by keeping my heart and mind stayed on Him and His plan.

How do you know when God wants you to let go of something?

Women throughout history struggled with control. Rebekah knew the temptation to intervene. When her husband Isaac’s health was failing, he commanded his firstborn son Esau to go hunt and prepare food for him. Isaac planned to bless Esau after enjoying his favorite meal.

Hearing Isaac’s plan, Rebekah wanted to see the best possible future for her son Jacob. This caused her to forget God is in control and take control herself. She schemed with Jacob and put together a plan to trick her husband into blessing him instead of his older brother.

I understand how Rebekah felt. We want what’s best for our families. We try to guide them toward making good choices and having fruitful lives. But God’s ways are so much greater than our own. If we can stand firm on His promises and fully trust in Him, we will see the goodness of the Lord in and through our loved ones’ lives.

And isn’t that what we want most?

3 Helpful Verses for When I’m Struggling to Let Go

Like Rebekah, we will have those moments when we want to step in even though God is saying, “Leave this to me.” Here are scriptures about letting go that will help us trust in God instead of holding on to control.

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Encouraging Bible Verses About Letting Go:

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

Let’s add these Bible verses about letting go to our power arsenal today. One of these may be just the weapon we need to grab the next time we battle with the desire to control.

I know I need them all today. Maybe you do, too?

Then we’ll claim these Scripture promises together. We can do this!

What are your favorite promises from God’s Word that help you remember God is in control and overcome the need to control?

Blessings,

Kristine

Are you looking for more on what God says about letting go? For more on biblical women who struggled with control, click here to read this article, 10 Women in the Bible Who Struggled to Trust God's Plan.

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I woke up this morning worrying about the same problem I gave to God yesterday. And the crazy thing is, it happened before I was even aware of it.

Why do I feel anxious when I wake up in the morning?

You know those few moments between waking up and being fully awake? Yeah, that’s when it happens, while my defenses are down.

Before I even open my eyes, worrisome thoughts start brewing like the automatic coffee pot in the kitchen. Except that the coffee pot is brewing something good.

My thoughts? Not so much.

And since I haven’t had that coffee yet, I try to fight off the worry with a half-alert brain.

Bits and pieces of verses come to mind, but then I get aggravated with myself for not remembering God’s Word. I know there are hundreds of verses to help calm my anxious thoughts, but I’m not able to focus.

I try to pray against the anxiety but can’t organize a coherent sentence. Frustration takes over. Then self-condemnation. Then defeat.

Before I’m even aware of it, I’m in a downward spiral. I have my tablet and devotional on the bedside table, ready to give God the first few minutes of my day. But instead of sitting up to turn on the light, I feel darkness settle into my heart.

How to Stop Morning Worry and Wake Up Trusting God

Girl on bicycle. Text reads: How to Resist Morning Worry and Wake Up Trusting God

Trusting God in Difficult Times for a New Way to Wake Up

It’s amazing how a few minutes spent reading God’s Word will alter a negative attitude. Whether we struggle with worry, doubt, or frustration, God has the encouragement we need to turn those thoughts around.

So what can we do when problems try to invade our thoughts before we even open our eyes in the morning? Is there a way to retrain our minds to wake up trusting God’s promises instead of rehashing our problems? How do we stop morning worry and start trusting God?

2 Corinthians 10:5 says we can “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” That’s great news for those problems that come back in the early morning hours before coherence kicks in. What we need is a short but powerful Truth to easily recall when morning worry happens.

A Short and Simple Verse to Refocus the Worry and Jump-Start Your Day

Can I be gut-honest with you today? I’m tired of letting problems take the first moments of my day. I’m absolutely done giving God my concerns over and over, only to grab them back again. God doesn’t want that for us. He longs for us to walk in His promises every day of our lives. But we need to put in a little work to get there.

Are we willing to trust God with our anxious thoughts?

Here’s a good place to start, a short and simple verse to jump-start our day. With it, we can begin to resist morning worry and wake up trusting God.

“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT

Paul encouraged the church at Corinth with these few words of faith. Although we will have problems in this life, we trust in the One who makes all things new. We may not be able to see Him now, but we know His mercies are “new every morning.” He is faithful to accept our deepest hurts and replace them with His perfect peace.

So if we can commit these words to memory and believe in their truth, we can also trust God is there with us in those wee hours, ready to restore our peace once again.

God will gladly trade our worry for peace, our doubt for confidence, and our frustration for His grace.

Tomorrow morning, anxious thoughts may come again. They may try and convince me to revisit the problems already covered by God’s promises. But tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow, I’ll be ready. I will live by believing.