Wow! That is so much easier to say than to do.
• What does it look like to let go and let God when you are in the midst of circumstances beyond your control?
• When a sudden change has happened in your life and you are unsure what next steps look like?
• When God is calling you into change and you are being led into a new season of life but not sure what that looks like yet?

Last summer was a season full of grief and uncertainty in my life. At the end of the summer, I went with my parents to the beach on a family vacation. My heart was full of uncertainty and unsureness of the future. One morning, I was standing on the beach with tears flowing and God placed it on my heart.

“Melia, this has been, is, and will be hard, but TRUST Me completely as I write good stories…”

I wasn’t sure what the future held, but I knew God was reminding me to truly re-surrender, release the control, and trust Him completely, fully walking in active faith.

How often in our lives do we want God to immediately change our circumstances rather than having to walk through it? We want things to change in the immediate and God can do that! Often, He asks us to walk through it. God desires to be our cloud by day and fire by night as we see in Exodus 13:21-22. As we let go and trust God completely, the Holy Spirit gives us what we need to walk through situations and circumstances. God conforms us to be more like Him in the walking through.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV):

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence—continue to live in obedience and do not yield to your fear and self-doubt, for it is God who works in you to will and to act for the good of His plans for your life."

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV):

"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."

What does it look like to let go, let God, and walk in active faith?
1. Acknowledge feelings and thoughts with God and be honest.
2. Be vulnerable and ask for prayer with trusted friends/family. It is important that we are real and ask for prayer.
3. Release thoughts/fears holding you captive. This can be through breath prayers (in the moment quick prayer) and centering yourself in Christ, such as: “In my weakness, Christ you are my strength.”
4. Pray and walk with others in this journey. We must live in accountability and community.
5. In all seasons of life, we must trust God will make a way where there seems to be no way. We must be willing to let go of all that we are holding and experiencing and seek God above all else, having an active faith and deep trust in God alone.
6. Active faith isn't just believing in God, but acting on that belief. Not letting circumstances control you, but being willing to surrender all to God and letting the joy of the Lord be your strength. As we have active faith, we are obedient to God’s Word, being intentionally filling the Great Commission, sharing our faith, and living our lives like Jesus did!

I would encourage you: In what areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed unsure, squeezed, deflated or have a heart full of grief? Jesus desires to hold you, fill you with His love, speak the truth over you, and for you to find rest in Him alone. He desires for you to let go of all of that and let God do what only what He can do. God will show up in ways we cannot expect, and through our dependance on and in Him He can bring us peace in the midst of the darkness/ grief that we are in.

During the rest of 2024, as I walked through the grief, God held that and God wrote a story that was only what God could do! I am truly amazed to look back and see as I released and let go, and I trusted God step by step, God truly wrote an amazing story! God was deeply involved in each of the details in ways I could not have dreamed or imagined.

Psalms 30:11 (NIV):

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy…”

In 2024, I was reminded that as we truly let go and let God, God can do far more than we can think or imagine. Does it mean that challenges won’t come? No! They will. However, let us remember that no matter what comes, it does not define us and we can truly let it go to God and let God! His will, His, Way, His timing.

Melia Warren has dedicated almost 20 years to full-time children’s ministry and resides in McMinnville, TN. Her passion lies in working with children and families, sharing Christ's love, and fostering spiritual growth through discipleship. She delights in celebrating God’s work, experiencing profound joy by saying yes to Jesus, and spreading His love. Melia treasures connecting with others and welcomes the opportunity to pray with or for you—reach out to her at melia@fbcmcminnville.com.