How to Truly “Give it to God” and Let it Go

We all have those things we struggle to let go of. 

But what if we learned to give it to God and find true peace in whatever it is we tend to cling to?

What if we found the freedom that comes from surrendering it and truly letting it go? Let’s talk about that today.

What Does it Mean to “Give it to God”?

Let’s take a look at what it truly means to give it to God. Scripture gives us tremendous insight as to how we can do this.

1. Casting it on the Lord

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved. -Psalm 55:22

To cast here is the Hebrew word “shalak” which literally means to throw out, down or away (Strongs). 

Casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7 

Casting here is the Hebrew word “epiripsantes“ which means to throw upon like the disciples threw their cloaks upon a donkey.

In both of these instances, the idea of casting is to throw our cares, our burdens, our physical problems upon the Lord. He can handle the weight. 

And as we will get to later, He will give us some powerful things in return.

Are you casting your cares on the Lord? I like to literally envision throwing them out of my own hands and into the strong hands of the Almighty God.

2. Submitting it to God

Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. -James 4:7

Be subject or submit yourselves means to subordinate or be in a lower position. 

When we are faced with trials and struggles and anxieties, imagine the power of knowing that they are lower than the Lord.

When we submit our hearts and surrender our hearts & struggles to God, He can do what He does. He can work His power over our situations.

3. Lay it Aside

Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. -Hebrews 12:1 

We are called to lay aside or throw off everything that entagles us. That fear you have? That struggle in life? You can continue to run with patience when you set it aside.

I love the idea of setting it aside. It’s not gone, it’s not a false idea of it dispersing into thin air – it’s still there. But it isn’t being carried during the race.

Let the weight of what you are struggling to give up aside and imagine the strength you would then have to run the race before you.

4. Give God Your Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6 

When we give it to God we also must give him our trust. This isn’t easy but as we learn to lean “not on our own understanding” but on His perfect sovereignty, it will get easier.

It won’t feel easy at first, but choosing to give Him your trust is a powerful step in giving your struggles to the Lord and finding peace.

What Does God Give To Us?

Have you ever heard the story of the “pink elephant”? If I tell you to stop thinking about a pink elephant – what are you thinking about? I’m guessing it’s that pink elephant! 

It can be so hard to just let something go without replacing that space in your mind. 

And God has given us specific things that we can replace our struggles, fears or temptations with. When you seek to give it to God, consider focusing on these verses as a way of filling that space in your mind to truly let it go.

1. Peace

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. -John 14:27

Jesus doesn’t simply say not to be troubled or fearful but He says that His peace is with us as we do this. His complete and lasting peace!

As we give our struggles to God, He will give us peace. This is a promise!

2. Power. Love. Self-Control.

For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. -2 Timonty 1:7

What controls your spirit? What is guiding your heart? Often it is the fear or stress or circumstances around me that cause me to falter in my faith. 

God give us power, His miraculous power.

He gives us love, a love that overflows.

He gives us self-control, a fruit of the Spirit that will lead to all sorts of good things.

Let these be the things that drive you in each moment. Don’t let Satan convince you that they are out of reach. God has given you His Spirit and power, love and self-control with it!

3. The Armor of God

Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. -Ephesians 6:13

I do encourage you to read verses 10-18 because it is powerful! 

God has given us specific armor that we can use to stand against Satan’s schemes, all the lies he tries to throw our way.

So many of our struggles are based in spiritual warfare. And this armor will help you overcome spiritual warfare in your life.

Pray through these and I would encourage you to dig deeper into this! You can check out this awesome spiritual warfare bible reading plan for more encouragement!

How to Give it to God Practically

So these are all great, right? But how does it actually look to give it to God? 

Here are some practical ways that you can give your struggle to God today.

1. Give it to God in prayer

Use the prayer at the bottom of this post, write out your own prayer or find prayer cards that you can use to pray through different areas of your life.

2. Give it to God with Scripture

Spend time in Scripture each day. Find specific Scriptures about your specific struggles and write them down. Post them around your house, in your car, at work. Anywhere that you are looking often. 

Scripture is our Sword against the enemy. When you use Scripture in moments where you are struggling, there is power, healing and restoration.

3. Give it to God in worship

Worship is a powerful way to find healing, peace and true surrender. I love this song, but any worship song will help to point your heart to Christ.

4. Give it to God in writing

Writing things down changes things within our brain. Journaling is a great way to give it to God. Write down how you’re feeling. Then write down that you are giving it to God. This will have a powerful impact.

5. Ask others to help you give it to God

Accountability is so important in all areas of our Christian walk. Find trusted friends, mentors, counselors or pastors that you can talk to and tell them you need encouragement to give your specific struggle to the Lord.

Have them check in to see how you’re doing. Tell them the specific ways in which you plan to give it to God. Having this accountability will really help you as you truly surrender and find God’s peace.

6. Give it to God over and over again

This won’t be a once-and-done thing. Giving our struggles, fears, temptations and trials to the Lord is going to take repetition. 

We have to teach our minds to surrender because our natural response is the opposite.

As you seek to give it to God in surrender, you will be renewing your mind and your faith will grow.

Finding the Faith You Need to Give it to God

Speaking of faith, total surrender takes a great deal of faith. 

It isn’t easy to surrender the things that we struggle with. The world around us tells us in so many ways that we can control our lives, our health, our family and friends, our financial situation, our work etc, etc. 

And yet the more we seek to grasp at these things, the harder they seem to control.

If you are struggling to find this deep faith, I would encourage you to check out my devotional, Grow Your Faith.

Ask the Lord every single day to help you find the faith. We know from Scripture that God will do this for us.

Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” -Mark 9:24

We will struggle with faith and yet when we take this to Christ, He will help us. He will help us find the faith we need to surrender our struggles and find peace.

God wants your WHOLE heart

I have to check myself sometimes. 

In the morning I will pray, find an encouraging Scripture and truly feel surrendered, but then as the day goes on, I end up taking it all back.

God doesn’t just want part of our hearts or part of our days surrendered.

He has true and lasting peace for us when we surrender all. 

So if this is a struggle for you, I’d encourage you to set prayer reminders. Or be sure to pray and go through your surrender process a few times each day.

If you feel like you’re going through the motions, keep going. 

Surrender is a choice before it is a feeling.

Continue to seek after the Lord with your whole heart and you will find His peace.

How do we give it all to God?

In the same way, it can be hard to truly surrender every part of our struggle or every part of our hearts.

How do we give it all to God? What are we supposed to be in control of?

I’m very much a do your part kind of person when it comes to this.

My husband will pray and truly feel free, God’s got this kind of mindset. Where I’m like let’s pray and then we have to do XYZ in order to do our part.

This is a balance only the Lord can help you discern. It’s good to be aware of this and to ask the Lord to show you what your part is.

Seek to give your whole heart to the Lord, every part of your struggle and then ask God what you can do from there in a posture of surrender.

Give it to God AND Don’t Take it Back (Easier said than done…)

Oh, how many times I have found myself worrying about the very thing I just prayed about and sometimes only moments later! 

I will pray and surrender my fear or anxiety and find myself triggered into this anxiety in just a few moments once I begin my day. 

Not taking it back is a posture.

A posture of surrender is what we are called to. When we feel ourselves taking it back, we must enter into this place of surrender again. And again. 

God will bless us as we commit to this.

Give it to God Prayer

Lord, I surrender to You today. I open my hands and invite Your Spirit in. Today I am thinking specifically of [insert struggle] and I give this to You. I literally take this [struggle] in my hands and throw it into Your Almighty arms. I know that You can carry this weight and that You will give me peace as I hand it over to You. My heart longs to hold onto it. My mind clings to it. And yet I will continue to give it to You. Fill me with peace. Cover me with strength. Guide me as I discern how much I am to do in this and how much I am to let You do. Thank you for each promise in Scripture as it relates to this. I choose to stand firm in faith today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Verses to Help You Give it to God

Romans 12:2

Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Hebrews 4:16

Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

Romans 12:1

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

Jeremiah 29:13

You shall seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.

Pray through and memorize these verses as you seek to truly give it to God.

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