When God tells you to let go
Dive into the importance of obedience when God calls you to let something go. Through personal experiences and biblical insights, it explores how letting go of habits, relationships, or mindsets can lead to spiritual growth, freedom, and alignment with God’s plan for your life. It’s about trusting God’s timing and learning how obedience unlocks His greater purpose for you.
Michael Burnett
11/29/20243 min read
When God Asks You to Let Go
In this walk with Christ, there are going to be moments when God taps you on the shoulder and says, "It’s time to let that go." It might be a habit, a relationship, a job, or even a mindset. Letting go isn’t always easy—it’s not supposed to be—but it’s necessary. It’s how you grow spiritually and align yourself with what God’s got planned for you. And trust me, His plans? Way bigger and better than anything you could dream up on your own. But here’s the catch: those plans often require sacrifice and trust.
My Journey of Letting Go
When I first got serious about my relationship with God, one of the first things He asked me to give up was smoking weed. Now, if you know me, you know this wasn’t just a casual thing—I was hooked. It was part of my routine, part of my identity. I couldn’t picture life without it. But then, on April 1, 2023, God made it clear: it had to go.
What happened next? Man, it was wild. The desire to smoke disappeared almost immediately. Like, just gone. Now don’t get me wrong—it’s not like temptation stopped showing up at my door. It did, and sometimes it still does. But in that moment, saying "yes" to God felt natural, almost easy.
Here’s the crazy part: months before, my wife had suggested I take a break from smoking, and I couldn’t even wrap my head around the idea. But when God said it, it hit different. His call came with the grace to follow through. That’s when I realized something big: God doesn’t just want obedience; He wants immediate obedience. Delayed obedience? That’s still disobedience because it’s you saying, "I’ll do it, but on my terms." And God doesn’t work like that.
Why God Asks Us to Let Go
God doesn’t just tell us to let go for no reason. Nine times out of ten, what He’s asking you to release is something that’s holding you back. It might be a habit keeping you stuck, a relationship pulling you off course, or a comfort zone stopping you from leveling up in your purpose. When you let go, you create space for God to step in and do His thing.
Take relationships, for example. Sometimes God will tell you to distance yourself from certain people. It’s not about beefing or cutting them off with bad vibes. It’s about stepping into a season where God can work on you, without distractions. The truth is, some connections aren’t meant to come with you into the next chapter of your life.
What Happens When You Obey
When you let go of what God’s asking, two things usually happen:
You Lose the Desire
Letting go becomes easier than you expected. That’s God working in you, giving you the strength to move forward. When the desire fades, it’s like confirmation that you’re on the right track. You’re making room for God to take the lead.The Temptation Gets Real
But don’t get it twisted—temptation will still come. Sometimes it even gets louder. The enemy loves to remind you of the "good times" or tries to make you feel like you’re missing out. But those moments? They’re just distractions. The enemy wants to keep you chained to your past, while God’s call is always about freedom.
Trusting God’s Plan
Letting go isn’t losing—it’s winning. God’s got something better lined up, but you have to trust Him enough to release the temporary for the eternal. His timing is always perfect, even when it doesn’t make sense to you in the moment.
If you’re struggling with letting go, remember this: God’s strength shows up best when you feel weak (2 Corinthians 12:9). Lean into Him, ask for His help, and trust that He’s got you. Saying "yes" to God isn’t just about obedience; it’s about trusting Him with your whole future.
WHAT WILL YOU GIVE UP?
What’s God asking you to let go of right now? Is it a habit, a relationship, or something you’ve gotten too comfortable with? Whatever it is, know that He’s calling you to something better. Take that step of faith, trust His plan, and watch how He moves in your life. Obedience isn’t just doing what God says—it’s showing Him that you trust Him with everything.
