by Ever found yourself clinging to someone who’s drifting away like a balloon on a windy day? It’s tough, I know! But guess what? The Bible’s got some wisdom for those heavy-hearted moments. You see, letting go doesn’t mean you stop caring. It means you’re trusting God to handle things better than you ever could. So, let’s dive into some comforting verses that’ll help you release that grip and find peace in God’s plan. Do read on!
Bible Verses About Letting Go of Someone You Love
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”
Commentary: Trusting in God involves a conscious decision to let go of our own understanding and lean on His wisdom. This verse encourages believers to surrender their fears and uncertainties to God, promising that He will guide their paths and smooth out obstacles. Letting go of someone we love can be a significant test of this trust, reminding us to rely on God’s greater plan.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”
Commentary: This verse calls us to replace anxiety with prayer, entrusting our concerns to God. In the context of letting go of a loved one, it emphasizes that we can find peace by turning to God with our fears and heartaches. His peace, which surpasses human understanding, will guard our hearts and minds, providing comfort and strength.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”
Commentary: Jesus invites those who are burdened and weary to find rest in Him. Letting go of someone we love can feel like a heavy burden, but this verse reassures us that Jesus offers a lighter yoke and a gentler path. By surrendering our burdens to Him, we find renewal and peace, learning to trust in His gentle and humble heart.
Isaiah 41:10
“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].”
Commentary: God’s promise of strength and support in this verse provides comfort during times of fear and uncertainty. When letting go of someone we love, the assurance that God is with us and will help us is profoundly comforting. His righteous right hand symbolizes His power, justice, and salvation, guiding us through our most challenging moments.
1 Peter 5:7
“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”
Commentary: This verse encourages believers to cast all their anxieties on God, trusting in His deep affection and careful watch over them. Letting go of someone we love often involves significant anxiety and worry, but we are reminded here that God cares deeply for us and invites us to lay our burdens at His feet.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and He saves those who are crushed in spirit [contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin].”
Commentary: God’s closeness to the brokenhearted offers profound solace to those grieving the loss of a loved one. This verse reassures us that God is near in our pain and saves those who are crushed in spirit. His presence provides comfort and healing, reminding us that we are not alone in our sorrow.
Matthew 6:33
“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”
Commentary: Prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness helps realign our focus from our losses to His greater plan. This verse encourages us to seek God’s will above all else, trusting that He will provide for our needs. In the context of letting go, it reminds us to shift our attention from our own desires to God’s purposes.
Romans 8:28
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”
Commentary: This verse offers reassurance that God works all things, including painful separations, for our good according to His plan. Letting go of someone we love can be seen through the lens of God’s greater purpose, trusting that He is orchestrating events for our ultimate benefit, even when we cannot see the full picture.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Commentary: God’s plans for our future are filled with hope and peace, even when we face difficult separations. This verse assures us that God has a positive and hopeful future in store for us, encouraging us to trust in His plans rather than our own. Letting go of a loved one becomes an act of faith in God’s promises.
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.”
Commentary: God’s grace is sufficient for us, providing strength in our weakness. This verse highlights that in our moments of greatest vulnerability, such as letting go of someone we love, God’s power is made perfect. Embracing our weakness allows us to experience His strength and mercy more fully.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Do not remember the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Commentary: God calls us to let go of the past and look forward to the new things He is doing. This verse encourages us to trust in God’s ability to bring about new beginnings and provide paths through our wilderness. Letting go of someone we love becomes part of embracing the new opportunities God is creating.
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).”
Commentary: This verse reassures us that when we cast our burdens on the Lord, He will sustain us. Letting go of a loved one involves releasing our heavy burdens to God, trusting that He will provide the support and stability we need. His promise to uphold the righteous offers comfort and security.
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].”
Commentary: God’s healing power is highlighted in this verse, offering comfort to those with broken hearts. When letting go of someone we love, we can find solace in the knowledge that God is actively working to heal our pain and bind up our wounds. His compassionate care brings healing and restoration.
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid [let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge].”
Commentary: Jesus offers a peace that surpasses what the world can give, providing calm and courage in every circumstance. This verse is especially comforting when letting go of someone we love, as it reassures us that Jesus’ perfect peace can calm our troubled hearts and strengthen us through the challenges we face.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven.”
Commentary: This verse reminds us that life is filled with different seasons, each with its own purpose. Understanding that there is a time for everything, including letting go, helps us trust in God’s timing and plan. Accepting the ebb and flow of life allows us to release loved ones with a sense of peace and purpose.
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Commentary: The inseparable nature of God’s love offers profound reassurance when letting go of a loved one. This verse emphasizes that nothing can separate us from God’s love, providing comfort and strength in times of separation and loss. God’s unwavering love remains with us, no matter the circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
Commentary: Gratitude in all circumstances, including difficult ones, aligns us with God’s will. This verse encourages us to maintain a thankful heart, even when letting go of someone we love. By continually giving thanks, we acknowledge God’s presence and provision, finding peace and perspective amidst our pain.
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn, for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].”
Commentary: This beatitude offers hope and comfort to those who mourn. Letting go of a loved one often involves deep mourning, but Jesus promises comfort to those who grieve. God’s grace provides forgiveness, refreshment, and the assurance of His comforting presence.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.”
Commentary: God’s role as our refuge and strength provides a source of unwavering support in times of trouble. When facing the challenge of letting go of someone we love, we can find solace in God’s proven help and protection. His presence offers a strong and impenetrable refuge.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. For our momentary, light distress (this passing trouble) is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure and proportion, [and] surpassing all comparisons [a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.”
Commentary: This passage encourages us to focus on the eternal rather than the temporary. Letting go of someone we love can feel overwhelmingly distressing, but this verse reminds us that our present troubles are producing an eternal glory. By fixing our eyes on the unseen, we gain a perspective that transcends our immediate pain.
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].”
Commentary: The imagery of running a race with endurance and persistence encourages us to focus on Jesus amidst our struggles. Letting go of someone we love requires us to strip off the unnecessary weights and distractions, fixing our eyes on Jesus, who perfects our faith. His endurance and ultimate victory provide a powerful example and source of strength.
James 1:2-4
“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”
Commentary: This passage calls us to view trials with joy, recognizing their role in producing endurance and spiritual maturity. Letting go of someone we love is a significant trial, but it is an opportunity for our faith to grow and mature. Embracing this perspective helps us find inner peace and completeness in our faith journey.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].”
Commentary: The nature of love described in this passage emphasizes patience, kindness, and endurance. Letting go of someone we love is a profound act of love, requiring patience and hope. By embodying these qualities, we reflect the true essence of love, which bears all things and remains steadfast even in difficult times.
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.”
Commentary: Perseverance in doing good, even in the face of discouragement, is encouraged in this verse. Letting go of a loved one can be disheartening, but we are reminded not to grow weary. At the proper time, we will reap the rewards of our endurance, finding strength in God’s perfect timing and promises.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired.”
Commentary: Waiting on the Lord renews our strength and power. This verse reassures us that those who hope in God will find the energy to rise above their challenges. Letting go of someone we love requires a reliance on God’s strength, enabling us to endure without growing weary or tired, much like eagles rising toward the sun.
Colossians 3:2
“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].”
Commentary: Focusing on heavenly things rather than earthly concerns helps us maintain perspective. Letting go of someone we love can shift our focus to temporal pain, but this verse encourages us to keep our minds set on the eternal. By valuing what is eternal, we find strength and hope beyond our immediate circumstances.
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Commentary: God’s unchanging nature as our rock and strength offers a steadfast foundation. When letting go of someone we love, our own strength and hearts may fail, but God remains our eternal portion and strength. His unwavering support provides a solid foundation on which we can rely.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding].”
Commentary: Jesus’ assurance of His victory over the world offers peace and courage amidst tribulation. Letting go of someone we love involves distress and suffering, but Jesus’ words remind us to take heart and find joy in His ultimate victory. His overcoming of the world provides a source of perfect peace and confidence.
Deuteronomy 31:8
“It is the Lord who goes before you; He will [be with you]; He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Commentary: God’s promise to never fail or abandon us provides reassurance in times of uncertainty. When letting go of someone we love, we can take comfort in knowing that God goes before us and remains with us. His unfailing presence dispels fear and dismay, offering strength and courage for the journey ahead.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Commentary: God’s command to be strong and courageous is reinforced by the assurance of His presence. Letting go of someone we love requires strength and courage, and this verse reminds us that God is with us wherever we go. His presence empowers us to face our fears and uncertainties with confidence.
Proverbs 16:9
“A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.”
Commentary: This verse highlights the interplay between human planning and God’s direction. While we may plan our paths, including relationships, it is ultimately God who directs and establishes our steps. Letting go of someone we love involves trusting God’s guidance and sovereignty over our lives, recognizing that His plans are greater than our own.