"Let go and let God"

This phrase is a staple when Christians are working to put their trust in God and allow him to fight their battles for him. 

1 Peter 5:6-9

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering." 

However, as a young Christian I was unsure of what this exactly meant. How does one let go and let God? Do they need to stop working for a solution for the problem? Do they need to stop thinking about it? 

One lady replied on a Christian forum to this question by saying:

"Over many years I have hard people saying this phrase "Let go and Let God". I'm afraid it often comes over as the kind of idea that we as Christians sit back and let God get on with making us what he wants us to be. This does not fit in with what Paul says in Philippians 3, especially vs. 12-15. There is no lethargy here. We are to press on to take hold to be straining towards what is ahead. We long to be more like our Blessed Lord and to win the prize, but this requires effort on our part.

I think people often interpret what the Lord said about not taking thought for tomorrow what we shall eat and drink, etc. (Lukie 12) as "letting go and letting God". I believe here he is teaching us that we should be actively seeking the spiritual benefits of our Salvation, rather than worrying about the material possessions we may amass.

So let us continue to struggle. 1. Against the rulers, powers and authorities of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 6:10) Thankfully with God's armour to protect us. 2. Against sin (Heb. 12:4) 1. To proclaim, admonish and teach everyone with all wisdom..... struggling with all our energy. (Col. 1:29) 3. Let us struggle as the Apostle did to ENCOURAGE one another. (Col. 2:1-3)."

I think what she says is centered on scripture, but another very pious woman who I greatly respect adds something more to this study of giving to God. As we struggle through our difficulties and actively seek wisdom and guidance and give effort on our part, I think we also need to know that it is not through any of our greatness that we obtain blessings. It is only through him. (2 Thess. 2:13 "From the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.") We have to offer up our struggles to him, knowing that as we press forward in getting to know him more it is with God by our side. So I agree with the response above and of course with what Paul said in Phillipians, but Christians do have the Lord on their side, so they can let something go, give it to God, and wait for guidance in the next step. Sometimes when we are "pressing forward" we may be pressing by using our own control and ways, without having the patience to wait for God's guidance and deliverance. Faith allows you to truly let go. Give it up, put it in God's hands, and trust in him to guide you. But just remember to follow. 

Psalm 37:1-7

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like the green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."