You’ve heard this phrase, right?

Let go and let God.

If it sounds cliche or impossible to do, I’m here to tell you that it’s not. Not cliche. Not impossible.

But it’s also not as simple as it sounds.

During my decade-long battle with bulimia, I wrestled with this. Oh, how I wrestled. For a long time, it did feel cliche and impossible to me. Letting go? Giving God control? Yeah right.

Eventually, I realized it was possible. But even then, my response was, Okay… how?

A crucial part of my recovery was re-establishing my relationship with God and learning the answer to that question. HOW? How do you let go and let God?

Of course, I’m no expert. Plus, every person and situation is different. But if you’re reading this now and asking that same question—whatever your situation—I’d like to share with you what I learned. HOW I let go and trusted God.

Steps to Let Go and Give God Control

Because my situation was an eating disorder and yours may be something completely different, I won’t go into detail on each step.

I also won’t put a timeline or time limit on each step. That might look different for you, too.

And another thing. I hesitate to even call these steps because that would imply a specific order and I truly believe there is no linear path. It certainly wasn’t linear for me. But the order isn’t as important as the result. In fact, this list may not be exactly what God would have you do.

So, go ahead and read my list, but please, please, please take what you read back to God. Never trust human wisdom more than God’s truth. I just need to make that clear before we continue. And that is why I also included Bible verses to point every step, everything that worked for me, back to God.

How I Let Go and Trusted God

Acknowledge to yourself that your way isn’t working and it’s not making you happy.

• 1 John 2:17 (AMP) “The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.”

Consider that if you stay on the same path, that future is more terrifying than your fear of letting go now.

• Proverbs 14:12 (NLT) “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”
• James 1:14-15 (NLT) “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

Pray and tell God exactly how you’re feeling. Be real and honest with your thoughts and emotions.

• 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

Tell God you trust that His way is better (even if you don’t quite yet believe it).

• Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
• Psalm 16:11 (NET) “You lead me in the path of life. I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.”

Focus on progress over perfection. Stop the all-or-nothing thinking. Letting go is not a one-and-done, it’s a moment-by-moment choice.

• 1 Timothy 4:15 (NCV) “Continue to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone.”

Feel your feelings without giving in to them. Sit with the feelings. Sit in discomfort. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. And take that discomfort to God.

• Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

Give yourself grace when you mess up. Forgive yourself, but don’t excuse yourself. Keep going.

• Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
• Romans 3:23-24 (NLT) “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

Believe that God’s power is bigger than your struggle. Believe that God’s power has already defeated the power it feels like the enemy has over you.

• Luke 1:37 (NET) “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
• Isaiah 41:10 (ERV) “Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.”
• John 16:33 (ERV) “I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”

Focus on God’s truth and promises (even when you don’t believe them). Read those promises over and over in the Bible. Repeat them until you do believe them and they replace the lies.

• Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Stop letting the world’s standards and promises dictate your feelings and emotions.

• Colossians 3:2 (NLT) “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
• Galatians 1:10 (NIV) “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Stay connected to God through it all. Keep your eyes on Him.

• 1 Chronicles 16:11 (ERV) “Depend on the Lord for strength. Always go to him for help.”
• Psalm 37:5 (NLT) “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”
• Psalm 34:17 (NLT) “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.”
• Psalm 16:11 (NET) “You lead me in the path of life. I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.”

Remember, talk to God about what you just read. Ask Him for wisdom and discernment. Ask Him to show you the first step or the next step He wants you to take. Then, take it. Trust God, don’t look back, and take it. One day at a time. One moment at a time. Keep choosing to take that next step with God.

I won’t sugar coat it. Letting go and trusting God is a messy process. If it feels hard, you’re not doing it wrong. If it were easy, I doubt many of us would truly learn. It wouldn’t stick. Going through hard things the hard way makes us stronger. No quick fixes. No magic formulas. It takes time and practice and choosing to trust over and over again.

Choose now. Don’t wait. Give it to God.