Is "Let Go and Let God" Actually in the Bible?

This familiar expression may accompany a sigh of relief when life spins out of control. Our efforts to manage too many balls in the air or a particularly difficult situation are surrendered to God. He has a plan for our lives, as it says in Jeremiah 29:11: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’” declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah delivered this message to the Israelites when they were captive in Babylon, worshipping false gods and losing faith in the God of Abraham. They were floundering. Jeremiah assured them that their God had a plan for His people. They couldn’t see the plan in their present situation in Babylon, but Jeremiah’s prophecy offered them “hope and a future.” The plan was realized when many of the Israelites were allowed to move back to Judah.

“Let go and let God” implies that God has a plan for our lives and is in control of our challenging situations. This is comforting to Christians when life presents more than we can handle. We trust that the God of the universe is perfectly equipped to work with us to solve our problems. He can guide events and surprise us in our efforts to resolve our issues, as answers to our prayers may be different from what we hoped for or expected.

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The phrase “let go and let God” does not actually appear in the Bible. It is a paraphrase of many Bible verses, however. For example, 2 Corinthians 12:9, says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’” The audience understood that Paul was quoting a divine message. As a Bible Study tools commentary on this verse states, “the strength of Christ is made to appear, is illustrated and shines forth in its perfection and glory, in supplying, supporting, and strengthening his people under all their weakness.” Paul admits his weakness is made strong by God’s power; he lets go of absolute control and allows God to work in his life. 

In this way, we can see that the phrase "let go and let God" does have some biblical basis and is consistent with what Scripture teaches.

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A Bible passage that clearly emphasizes trusting God and releasing our own control is Proverbs 3:5-6:  

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
     and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
     and he will make your paths straight.

Here the wisdom of Proverbs addresses our need to control our lives by understanding what has happened and what will happen. Most of us strive for control over situations in our lives. We have a need to see some logic or meaning in what is happening. We often rely on our own ability to figure out a solution to a dilemma instead of trusting God and turning to prayer. This verse from Proverbs dismisses that belief. It says God will “make your paths straight” if you submit to Him and His will.  Proverbs 3:5-6 advises followers of God to “lean not on your own understanding.” Human intervention is not always necessary to resolve problems. God has a plan for His people.

As a devotional from Crosswalk.com says, sometimes we are overconfident in our understanding. We believe that because we have solved other problems, we can solve the current or any problem. Yet, it is God who gives us the wisdom to understand situations and solve problems. Wisdom is a gift from God to His people.

Another Bible passage that speaks to the phrase "let go and let God" is Psalm 46:10, which says: "Be still, and know that I am God;/ I will be exalted among the nations, /I will be exalted in the earth." This declaration of God’s power and control is made at the center of a Psalm full of battle imagery. The first phrase of the message—“Be still, and know that I am God”—is often printed on flowery posters and in Sunday School lessons, but its biblical context is the violent, political world of the Old Testament. The words of Psalm 46:10 stand out as evidence of God’s power in the world’s political arena, the big picture of human conflict. In Psalm 46, God assures us that He is in control of all events in our world, whether politics, natural disasters, or other large-scale occurrences. 

On a smaller scale, Psalm 46:10 does apply to listening to God in our daily lives. If we hear God’s voice in the midst of turmoil, we will receive His directions for living through the chaos and confusion that may be part of our journey.

Jesus’ comforting words in Matthew 6 encourage us to depend on God for our basic needs and to cease worrying about our daily lives. This is also a way of giving control to God. Jesus’ evocative, nature-inspired imagery in this passage from the Sermon on the Mount calms our worries about providing for ourselves.

Jesus says to the large crowd, “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life . . .  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:25-27). Jesus then points to the lilies of the field, describing how God clothes them in unmatched beauty, even though they neither labor nor spin. Jesus emphasizes that not even Solomon, in all his splendor, was dressed like one of these. This comparison reminds us of God’s deep care and provision, urging us to trust Him fully for our needs instead of being consumed by worry. If God takes such care of flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will He care for His children?

In summary, Jesus says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33-34). The gospel encourages us to trust God with our daily needs. He is able to provide for us if we seek His kingdom as a first priority.

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The Bible verses explained above clearly align with the expression “let go and let God,” which is perhaps why some people have coined this phrase as a Bible verse. As mentioned earlier, it is a comforting idea to have God the Almighty overseeing our problems in life, and it's an idea that many Christians hold on to.

Common usage has adopted other expressions as biblical, though they also do not appear in scripture.

For example, we have all heard the expression “Everything happens for a reason.” These words are not in the Bible but are closely related to the message of Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This is related to the “let go and let God” message as well: we have a powerful God watching over our life’s events and working for our good.

The best way to discern whether a saying is consistent with biblical truth, or is more a product of popular culture is to study the Bible firsthand. Dwelling in the word enlightens a believer with truth, providing a deeper understanding of God and His Son Jesus. As it says in Psalms 119:105, “His word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” God’s Word has genuine instructions for Christians, and even though certain popular phrases may not appear word for word in Scripture, if we study the Bible, we can trust that the Holy Spirit will enlighten us as to whether an idea is biblical or not.

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It is tempting to resign control to God when situations seem beyond our control. God encourages us to act, however, according to His will. Rather than totally letting go, we can listen for God’s direction—as did Joseph and Moses in their adventurous roles in the history of the Old Testament.

An active prayer life is a pipeline for us to hear God’s voice. The key to reflective prayer is meditating on the intention of our prayers and then listening in silence for God to respond in a conversational way. All prayer connects us to God and helps us cope with and solve overwhelming problems. It also nurtures our relationship with Him, aligning our hearts with His will. Through prayer, we not only present our requests but also grow in faith and trust, knowing that He hears and cares for us deeply.

Studying the Bible and praying are ways we can hear God’s voice. We can also recognize God’s will through the advice of Godly friends and mentors. We “let go and let God” when we live by the urging of the Holy Spirit. A miracle, whether as huge as God parting the Red Sea, or as intimate as a positive health report, is an event we can thank God for controlling.

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Though the phrase “let go and let God” does not appear in the Bible, it reflects biblical principles, as outlined above. The book of Philippians, in particular, encourages believers to rely on God during times of trouble. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This passage illustrates the importance of surrendering our anxieties to God, trusting in His care, and seeking His peace.

While it may not always be possible to completely “let go” of our problems, we can turn our focus to God, bringing our worries to Him in prayer and meditating on His Word. This act of dependence not only eases our burdens but also strengthens our faith, reminding us that God is in control. As we surrender our concerns to Him, we can thank Him for the miracles He has already performed in our lives and the ways He continues to sustain us. Letting go doesn’t mean ignoring our challenges but recognizing that God’s strength and peace are more than enough to carry us through.

Further Reading
6 Things It Means to Let Go and Let God
God Wants Us to Let Go and Let Him
What Does It Mean to "Let Go and Let God"?
Bible Verses for Letting Go

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