Joel Osteen - The Power of Letting Go (05/29/2018)
In this sermon, Joel Osteen teaches that letting go of disappointments, frustrations, and things we don’t understand is a powerful act of faith, trusting that God’s ways are higher and that He has something better ahead, as promised in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good. By releasing control and not dwelling on the «why,» we position ourselves for the extraordinary future God has planned.
The Danger of Holding On to Disappointment
We all face disappointments and setbacks that we don’t understand. Maybe you prayed for a loved one, but they didn’t get well. Or you worked hard for a promotion, but you didn’t get it. You stood in faith for a relationship, but it didn’t work out.
One of the best things you can do is release it. Let it go. If you dwell on it, wondering why it didn’t happen, why your loved one wasn’t healed, why you missed the promotion, it will only lead to bitterness, resentment, and self-pity. Before long, you’ll blame others, yourself, or even God.
You may not have understood it. It may not have been fair. But releasing it is an act of faith. You’re saying, «God, I trust You. I know You’re in control. Even though it didn’t work out my way, You said all things will work together for my good, so I believe You still have something good in my future.»
Power in Letting Go
There is power in letting go—not of your dreams or promises, but of the frustration of needing it your way. Take your hands off the wheel and say, «Okay, God, I’m going to let You drive. You know the best path for my life. You see the detours, dead ends, and shortcuts. God, take me where You want me to go.»
That’s a freeing way to live. Too often, we trust God only as long as He does it our way.
It’s like the mountain climber who lost his footing near the top of a cliff and grabbed a bush, dangling hundreds of feet up. He called out, «Is anybody up there?» A voice boomed, «Yes, I’m here. What do you need?» He said, «God, I can’t hold on. Please rescue me.» God replied, «Okay, son. Let go of the bush, and I’ll catch you.» After a pause, the man said, «Is there anybody else up there?»
We often do the same: «God, help me, but do it my way.» To receive His help, we must be willing to let go.
Trusting God’s Bigger Plan
Maybe something didn’t work out your way. Instead of frustration, have a bigger view—perhaps God has something better. He may close a door because you’re believing too small, or what you’re praying for is second best. God loves you too much to give less than His best.
The question is: Will you trust Him to do it His way? Will you let Him drive?
A few years after Victoria and I married, we found our dream house—beautiful lot, big trees, swimming pool. We made a strong offer, just below asking. Weeks passed with no response.
The house was empty, so we went nearly every day to pray over it. We marched around it like Israel around Jericho, quoted scriptures, bound and loosed, sang, shouted, danced—even did the holy Macarena. We were convinced it was ours.
Three weeks later, our realtor called: «They sold it to someone else.» We were devastated. «God, we prayed, believed—what happened?»
God’s ways are not ours; they are higher and better. Sometimes what we believe for isn’t His best. Anything you must have to be happy is out of balance.
Putting Dreams on the Altar
It’s good to have dreams, goals, and stand in faith. But maturity means putting that dream on the altar: «God, this is what I want and believe for, but You know best. If it doesn’t happen my way or on my timetable, I won’t get bitter. I trust You; my life is in Your hands.»
At first, we were discouraged, feeling God let us down. Eventually, we let it go: «God, You know what’s best.» Three weeks later, we found an older, rundown home in a nice neighborhood. Everything fell into place. We bought it, fixed it up, lived there two years, and sold it for twice what we paid.
It didn’t match our vision—we wanted new and nice. But God knew. It was a step toward our destiny. At the time, it seemed like a step back; our townhouse was nicer. But if He’d given us the dream house, we’d have stayed stuck. He closed that door to move us forward.
Not My Will, But Yours
I have big dreams, but my main prayer is, «God, not my will, but Yours be done.» If a door closes—no big deal, I let go. If plans fail—I know something better comes.
Proverbs asks: Since the Lord directs our steps, why try to figure out everything along the way?
Some of you faced unfair disappointment. You could be bitter, with a chip on your shoulder, giving up dreams. No—God is at work. He directs your steps.
What seemed a setback is a setup for a new level of destiny. Get in agreement: Shake off self-pity and disappointment. Quit thinking God let you down.
That unfair disappointment is part of your divine destiny. Let it go, move forward—you’ll step into something awesome, not ordinary as you planned, but extraordinary as God planned.
Letting Go After Loss
When my father went to be with the Lord, we were close—best friends. At 77, he had congestive heart failure. We prayed, believed, but he passed. My prayers weren’t answered as I wanted.
I could have thought, «God, You healed my mother—why not him?» When we want something badly and it fails, bitterness comes easily. I was discouraged, lost my best friend.
There’s a time to mourn, but don’t let it become a lifetime. At some point: «God, I’m letting go. It’s hard, but my loved one’s death doesn’t end Your plan for me.»
What I thought was my darkest hour became the brightest—it launched me into this ministry. His death was another step to my destiny.
Loss—of loved one, relationship, job—can be hard. Many get bitter. But let go: «God, I don’t understand, but I trust You.» Then you’ll step into greater destiny.
God’s path isn’t always A to B to C—sometimes A to B to S to D to K to F to Z. Quit figuring it out; trust Him.
The «I Don’t Understand It» File
«Why didn’t my marriage work?» «Why did they leave?» «Why the layoff after 30 years?» I don’t know. You may never know. But God directs steps. He’s just and fair. Let go—He’ll pay back injustice.
If you let go of old negatives, you’ll see breakthroughs, promotions, new beginnings. Holding on keeps the new out.
A lady asked why my mother was healed of cancer but hers wasn’t—we prayed the same scriptures. I don’t know. God is for you—He gives beauty for ashes, but let go of the ashes.
«Why the miscarriage?» «Why this family?» «Why did they leave?» It leads to frustration. Some things have no logical explanation. Be big enough: «I don’t understand, and I’m okay with that. You are God; I am not.»
We deal with situations if we can «file» them logically. But for senseless things—like 9/11 tragedies, birth injuries, drunk drivers, terminal illness in good people—create an «I don’t understand it» file. Put it there and leave it.
Trying to figure out why poisons life. If God wants you to know, He’ll tell you. It’s His privilege to conceal things.
Trust means accepting unanswered questions. Not everything fits our theology, but God is good, loving, kind, fair, just.
Don’t put a question mark where God put a period.
Accepting God’s Period
If you prayed, believed, and it didn’t happen—God put a period. Move forward.
When my father was sick, the church prayed—we stood in faith, but he went home. God put a period. We could question, or accept: Chapter over, new day. We celebrated his life and stepped into the new.
A man I spoke to lost his business despite best efforts and all savings. That’s over—God put a period. Don’t question mark or self-pity. Turn the page—next chapter comes.
Your story ends in victory. God causes triumph. If not victorious yet, keep moving—it’s not the end.
David’s newborn was sick. He fasted, prayed seven days, wouldn’t eat. On day seven, the baby died. David got up, showered, ate, worshiped.
He said: While alive, I prayed for healing. Now gone, I can’t bring him back—but I’ll go to him one day.
David let go, didn’t question mark.
If you’ve done all you could and it failed—release it. Don’t stay in self-pity. Freshen up, new attitude—get ready for God’s new thing.
Another Seed Appointed
Eve’s son Cain killed Abel—first murder. Devastated, she could have blamed God. But she said, «God has appointed another seed for me.» She trusted: Not the end.
When you face the incomprehensible—not the end. God appoints another seed—future coming.
Let go of what didn’t work—for everything lost, another seed. You’ll birth more future than past loss. Keep moving forward.
Your car’s big windshield and small rear-view mirror show: Future more important than past. Stay focused on past—you get stuck.
If one dream dies, dream another. God appoints another seed. Don’t let one setback define you.
Quit mourning what you can’t change. God put a period—don’t waste time in self-pity. New day, another seed: relationship, business, breakthrough, victory.
David in Psalm 131: «I don’t concern myself with matters too great… I have quieted and stilled my soul.»
Do the same: Quiet your soul—God appoints another seed. Not the end.
When you let go, not bitter or blaming—the Creator works for you. He’ll turn harm to advantage.
God Working Behind the Scenes
A couple missed their 9/11 flight due to a flat tire—their plane crashed. Grateful, but the man’s father, a retired NYC firefighter, died helping at the towers.
The father rejected faith; son heartbroken. Months later, a couple visited: Wife, pregnant, rescued by the father—he carried her down stairs. She shared Christ; he accepted on his knees at bottom. They named their baby after him.
We know in part; one day in full. Things will make sense—we’ll see God’s hand.
At the time, it seems unfair—but God is fair, bringing good from injustice.
Trust Him. Let Him drive. Let go of «why’s.» Put unanswered in «I don’t understand it» file.
We see dimly now; one day face to face.
Some of you carry weights keeping you from God’s best. Decide today: Let it go, release to God. Walk free into your bright future.
For everything lost, God appointed another seed—breakthrough, victory. Let go—and God makes wrongs right, pays back injustice.
You will rise higher, overcome obstacles, defeat enemies, become all God created you to be.