Letting go is a significant theme within the Bible, encouraging believers to release burdens, forgive others, and trust in God’s plan. Through scripture, we’re taught the importance of surrendering our own desires, embracing faith, and allowing God to guide our lives. The following verses explore these themes and offer insight into the power of letting go.
Bible Verses About Letting Go
1. Philippians 4:6 – Surrendering Anxiety
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
Related Verses:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” – Matthew 6:34
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” – John 14:27
2. Matthew 11:28 – Rest in Him
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Related Verses:
“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” – Psalm 29:11
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord
“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.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Related Verses:
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.” – Psalm 37:5
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” – Jeremiah 17:7
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” – Psalm 56:3
4. Ephesians 4:31-32 – Letting Go of Bitterness
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32
Related Verses:
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.” – Colossians 3:13
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
5. Psalm 55:22 – Release Your Burdens
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” – Psalm 55:22
Related Verses:
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” – Matthew 11:29
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” – Psalm 23:4
6. 1 Peter 5:7 – Casting Anxiety
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Related Verses:
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them.” – Psalm 34:17
“Do not fear, for I am with you.” – Isaiah 41:10
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” – Luke 12:25
7. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – New Creation
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Related Verses:
“He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:30
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14
8. Isaiah 43:18-19 – Forget the Former Things
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” – Isaiah 43:18-19
Related Verses:
“Remember the wonders he has done.” – 1 Chronicles 16:12
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1
9. Hebrews 12:1 – Lay Aside Every Weight
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” – Hebrews 12:1
Related Verses:
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal.” – Philippians 3:12
“And let us not grow weary of doing good.” – Galatians 6:9
10. Matthew 6:14 – Forgiveness
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
Related Verses:
“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:15
“Bear with each other and forgive one another.” – Colossians 3:13
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense.” – Proverbs 17:9
11. Romans 12:19 – Letting Go of Vengeance
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.” – Romans 12:19
Related Verses:
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’” – Proverbs 20:22
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’” – Matthew 5:38
12. James 4:7 – Submitting to God
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Related Verses:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
“What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly.” – Micah 6:8
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2
13. Matthew 7:7 – Asking and Trusting God’s Will
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Related Verses:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.” – James 1:5
“Pray continually.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds.” – Matthew 7:8
14. John 15:5 – Abiding in Christ
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” – John 15:5
Related Verses:
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.” – Colossians 2:7
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” – John 15:4
15. Galatians 2:20 – Living in Faith
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” – Galatians 2:20
Related Verses:
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live.” – Galatians 2:20
16. Isaiah 41:10 – God’s Presence
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” – Isaiah 41:10
Related Verses:
“The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.” – Psalm 118:6
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid.” – Joshua 1:9
“For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you.” – Acts 18:10
17. Romans 8:28 – Trusting His Plan
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” – Romans 8:28
Related Verses:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD.” – Jeremiah 29:11
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23
“He tends his flock like a shepherd.” – Isaiah 40:11
18. Luke 14:33 – Giving Up Everything
“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” – Luke 14:33
Related Verses:
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” – Mark 8:36
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves.’” – Matthew 16:24
19. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 – Love and Letting Go
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Related Verses:
“Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Above all, love each other deeply.” – 1 Peter 4:8
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31
20. Colossians 3:2 – Focus on the Eternal
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2
Related Verses:
“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
21. Philippians 3:13 – Letting Go of the Past
“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” – Philippians 3:13
Related Verses:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
“We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” – Philippians 3:13
22. Genesis 50:20 – God’s Sovereignty
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done.” – Genesis 50:20
Related Verses:
“But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?’” – Genesis 50:19
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” – Romans 8:28
“Then Job replied to the LORD: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.’” – Job 42:1-2
23. Psalm 46:10 – Be Still and Know
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
Related Verses:
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” – Psalm 91:1
24. 2 Timothy 1:7 – Spirit of Power
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Related Verses:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
“The LORD is my strength and my song.” – Exodus 15:2
25. Psalm 118:8 – Trusting God Over Man
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.” – Psalm 118:8
Related Verses:
“Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” – Psalm 146:3
“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.” – Isaiah 26:4
26. John 14:1 – Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” – John 14:1
Related Verses:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted.” – Psalm 34:18
27. Isaiah 26:3 – Perfect Peace
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
Related Verses:
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding.” – Philippians 4:7
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone.” – Hebrews 12:14
28. Philippians 4:13 – Strength Through Christ
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Related Verses:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3
29. Psalm 118:24 – Celebration in Today
“The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” – Psalm 118:24
Related Verses:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4
“Give thanks in all circumstances.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” – Romans 12:15
30. Ephesians 1:11 – God’s Purpose
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” – Ephesians 1:11
Related Verses:
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” – Proverbs 16:33
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
31. Matthew 19:21 – Treasure in Heaven
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” – Matthew 19:21
Related Verses:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth.” – Matthew 6:19
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” – Luke 12:33
32. Jeremiah 29:11 – A Hopeful Future
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Related Verses:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” – Matthew 6:33
“I n him we live and move and have our being.” – Acts 17:28
Final Thoughts
Releasing one’s grip on control, anger, guilt, or fear can seem daunting. Yet, through faith and the guidance of Scripture, believers come to understand that letting go is an essential part of their spiritual journey. Each biblical passage offers a unique perspective on why it’s important to surrender and trust in a higher power.
Letting go is not about losing power or control but about gaining wisdom, peace, and a deeper relationship with God. Surrender allows us to experience true freedom in Christ, transforming our lives and perspective. As we let go of past burdens and future fears, we embrace the present, filled with God’s love and guidance. Through study and prayer, let these scriptures guide you to embrace letting go as a means to grow closer to God, enhancing your faith and enriching your life.