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What does the Bible say about letting go?

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The Bible calls believers to release sinful anger, anxious control, and fixation on the past, entrusting themselves to God’s wise and faithful care. Ephesians 4:31-32 joins letting go of bitterness with forgiving others as God has forgiven us in Christ. Proverbs 3:5-6 and 1 Peter 5:7 urge humble trust rather than self-reliance or anxiety. Isaiah 43:18-19 and Philippians 3:12-14 teach us not to be ruled by former failures or losses, but to press on toward God’s purposes in Christ. This is not denial of pain; Philippians 4:6 brings every concern to God in prayer, confident that Romans 8:28 assures His sovereign goodness for His people.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 4:31-32 5 votes

    [31] Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. [32] And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

  • Proverbs 3:5-6 5 votes

    [5] Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths.

  • Jeremiah 29:11 4 votes

    For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.

  • Isaiah 43:18-19 4 votes

    [18] Don't remember the former things, neither consider the things of old. [19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

  • 1 Peter 5:7 3 votes

    casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

  • Philippians 4:6 3 votes

    In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

  • Proverbs 29:11 2 votes

    A fool vents all of his anger, But a wise man brings himself under control.

  • Philippians 3:12-14 2 votes

    [12] Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. [13] Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

  • Proverbs 4:25-27 2 votes

    [25] Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. [26] Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. [27] Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.

  • Romans 8:28 2 votes

    We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

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