Build With God

Letting Go and Trusting God

Scripture:
If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.
1 John 5:14 -15

Observation:
John gives us quiet confidence. When our requests line up with God’s will, He hears us. Not maybe. Not eventually. He hears. And when He hears, we can rest knowing He is already at work, even before we see the outcome.

Application:
I have wrestled with letting go of tasks I perform well.

In one of my companies, I was the best closer on the sales team. I knew the pitch. I knew the objections. I could feel when a deal was about to stall and pull it back. But the longer I held onto that role, the more it bottlenecked growth. The team stayed dependent on me. Our systems stayed shallow. And deep down, I was holding on because it felt secure.

I told myself it was stewardship. In reality, some of it was fear.

This verse forces a harder question. Do I actually trust that God hears me when I ask Him to grow the business His way? Do I believe that if scaling the team, building better systems, and empowering others is according to His will, then He will cover the gap when I step back?

The character trait this presses into me is humility.

Humility says I am not the savior of this company. Humility says the business can grow without my hands on every lever. Humility prays first and then acts in alignment with what God is building, not what protects my ego.

When I finally delegated sales leadership, it was messy. A few deals were lost. A few calls were awkward. But over time, the team matured. We documented processes. We trained better. Revenue became less dependent on my energy and more dependent on the system. That shift created freedom at home too. I was more present with my wife and kids because I was not carrying every outcome on my shoulders.

As leaders, we often pray for growth, scale, and impact. But if God’s will includes developing people under us, then holding onto everything ourselves may actually work against the very prayers we are praying.

So now when I feel that tension, I try to pause and ask, Lord, is my grip aligned with Your will, or is it protecting my identity? If He hears me, and I am asking in line with His design for leadership, then I can loosen my grip with confidence.

Prayer:
Lord, help me trust that You hear me.
Align my desires with Your will for my business and my family.
Give me humility to release what I should no longer hold.
Grow the people around me as I step back in faith.

Build With God,
Bill

P.S. Identify one task you are holding tightly and schedule a 15 minute handoff conversation with the person who could grow by owning it.

P.P.S. Further reading: Proverbs 16:3, James 4:10, Ephesians 4:11-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1 John 5:14 to 15 really mean when it says God hears us if we ask according to His will?

It means we can pray with confidence when our requests align with what God is building, not just what we prefer. This Scripture is not about getting everything we want. It is about aligning our desires with His purposes. When we ask for things that reflect His character, such as growth, maturity, stewardship, and healthy leadership, He hears and works. That confidence allows leaders to release anxiety and control. Instead of striving to force outcomes, we can move forward in obedience, trusting that God is already at work behind the scenes shaping both the results and the people involved.

How do I trust God in my business when I am the one who gets the best results?

Trusting God in business often means releasing roles that feed your sense of control. You may be the strongest closer, operator, or strategist, but holding every key function can bottleneck growth. If you are praying for scale, stronger systems, and developed leaders, you must act in alignment with those prayers. Delegating will feel risky and sometimes messy. Deals may be lost and processes may falter. But when you ask God to grow the business His way, and that includes growing others, you can step back with confidence that He is covering the gap while your team matures.

Why is letting go of control such an important part of humility in leadership?

Letting go exposes whether you believe you are the savior of the outcome. Humility recognizes that you are a steward, not the source. When you cling to every decision or task, it often reveals fear or identity wrapped in performance. Releasing responsibility to others forces you to trust God with results and to trust people with growth. That process shapes patience, faith, and self awareness. It moves leadership from ego protection to team development. Over time, humility creates stronger systems, stronger people, and a healthier leader who is not crushed by carrying every outcome alone.

How can delegating at work actually improve my marriage and family life?

Delegating at work reduces the emotional and mental weight you carry home. When every deal and decision depends on you, your mind stays at the office even when your body is present with your family. By building systems and empowering others, revenue and results become less tied to your constant involvement. That creates margin. With margin comes presence. You can listen better, engage more fully, and lead your home with steadiness instead of exhaustion. Trusting God with the business allows you to show up more faithfully as a husband and father without carrying unnecessary pressure.

What is one practical way to let go and trust God with something I am holding too tightly?

Start by identifying one task you are reluctant to release and schedule a focused handoff conversation. Clearly explain the outcome, document the process, and set follow up checkpoints. Then pray specifically that God would grow the person taking it on and align the outcome with His will. Expect imperfection in the early stages. The goal is development, not immediate efficiency. Each time you feel the urge to grab it back, pause and ask whether your grip is protecting the mission or protecting your identity. That small act of obedience builds long term trust and stronger leadership.