Dear Someone: Letting go of what isn’t meant for you is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of a new one.
Read this if you’re praying for the strength to release what wasn’t meant for you, if you’re yearning for peace amidst unanswered questions.
Dear, Dear Someone, _
This letter is for you, the one who is praying for the courage to let go of what isn’t yours. You that is asking God to keep your heart from loving what isn’t meant for you, to guard your eyes from longing for what will never be. You that is tired of aching for a history that is gone, for a future that seems uncertain, for things that are beyond your control. You that is yearning for peace to bloom where worry has taken root.
I know how hard it is to let go of something you once dreamed would stay. I know how deeply it hurts to loosen your grip on what you thought was yours, to surrender the plans you made, to release the hope you’ve been holding onto for so long. It feels like a kind of loss, doesn’t it? A loss of control, a loss of certainty, a loss of the story you thought you were writing.
But let me tell you something: letting go is not losing. Letting go is trusting. It’s trusting that God’s plans for you are better than anything you could imagine. It’s believing that what is meant for you will never miss you, and what isn’t meant for you will never stay, no matter how tightly you hold on.
You don’t want to love what isn’t yours, and that is a prayer of strength. You don’t want your heart to ache for what has passed, and that is a prayer of wisdom. You don’t want your mind to dwell on what you cannot control, and that is a prayer of surrender. These prayers are not signs of weakness—they are signs of faith. Faith that God knows what is best for you, even when you don’t understand it.
It’s okay to grieve for what you’re letting go. It’s okay to feel the weight of the loss, to acknowledge the ache in your heart, to honor the love you gave and the hope you carried. But don’t let that grief consume you. Don’t let it convince you that your best days are behind you, that your happiness is tied to what you’ve lost, that your future is uncertain because your plans didn’t work out.
You are not losing—you are making space. Space for the things that are truly meant for you. Space for the blessings that are still to come. Space for the kind of love, joy, and peace that will fill you without leaving you empty.
Sometimes, God removes things from our lives not to punish us, but to protect us. Sometimes, He closes doors we wanted to walk through because He knows they lead to places we don’t belong. Sometimes, He asks us to let go of what isn’t ours because He has something better waiting for us—something we can’t yet see.
So, pray for peace. Pray for contentment. Pray for the strength to loosen your grip on what is gone and to open your hands to what is coming. Pray for the wisdom to trust God’s timing, even when it feels slow. Pray for the courage to keep moving forward, even when the path is unclear.
And as you pray, remember this: God isn’t asking you to let go because He wants to leave you empty-handed. He’s asking you to let go because He wants to fill your hands with something greater. Something that will bring you peace, not worry. Something that will bring you joy, not sadness. Something that will remind you that His plans are always better than our own.
You are not defined by what you’ve lost. You are not bound by the plans that didn’t work out. You are not diminished by the things you’ve had to let go of. You are growing. You are learning. You are becoming the person you need to be for the blessings that are on their way.
One day, you’ll look back on this moment and realize that letting go was the greatest act of faith you could have made. You’ll see how God’s plans unfolded in ways you never could have imagined. You’ll understand that the things you thought you wanted were only holding you back from the things you truly needed.
Until that day, may you find peace in the waiting. May you find strength in the surrender. And may you find hope in the knowledge that God’s plans for you are greater than anything you could dream for yourself.
With faith in your journey,
—Ali Papa.
Author of Letters of Woe and an ever-growing library of books
Conveyor of the Vistas of Hope Newsletter
Shepherd of Wayward Wanderer
P.S. — Letting go is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of a new one. Trust that what is meant for you will find its way to you. Trust that God’s plans are greater than your desires. And trust that the peace you’re praying for will come, not because everything is perfect, but because you’ve learned to trust the One who holds your future.
P.S.S. — When life feels overwhelming, Reliable Anchors will help you navigate the pain of letting go and find peace in trusting God's plans. Though letting go is hard, these letters will guide you through surrender and into healing, reminding you that every closed door is leading you to something better. If you're praying for the strength to release what isn't meant for you, let this be your companion on the journey from uncertainty to peace as you embrace God's plans for your life.
P.S.S.S. — If you’re still searching for your reflection in these words, if you’re feeling unseen or unheard, don’t worry—your unspoken words matter more than you know. Let me write you a personal letter - one that speaks directly to your heart. Click here and share your story with me. In the quiet space between your words and my understanding, we'll create something sacred together. Each letter is crafted with care, written just for you, and completely FREE.
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