Let Go and Let God Soften It

 (Part of the Prayer Series)

28/004/2026

Many years ago, I received a simple picture about instant noodles — we call it Maggi Mee here in Singapore and Malaysia. Those dried noodles come in a tight block, all curly and intertwined together in a messy clump. They look impossible to separate.

This picture stayed with me because it shows how we often handle our problems in life. Our issues can feel just like that block of Maggi Mee — all tangled up, overlapping, and complicated. We look at the mess and think we need to fix it ourselves. So we pull and tug, trying to untie the strands one by one. But every time we pull hard, the noodles snap and break. The problem gets worse instead of better.

The better way is simple. We take the whole block of dried noodles and drop it into a pot of water. Then we leave it there. We don’t keep poking or pulling. We just let the water do its work. After some time, the noodles gradually soften. When they are ready, we reach in, give a gentle pull, and the strands come apart easily. No force needed.

In the same way, many times when we face problems, we try to solve them with our own strength. We keep thinking about them, worrying, and trying to untangle everything ourselves. The more we strive, the more tangled and broken things become.

But there is another way. We can release the whole problem to God. We bring it to Him in prayer and leave it in His hands, like dropping the Maggi Mee into the pot. The pot of water represents His presence. Once we release it, we learn to rest. We stop staring at the problem all the time. We trust that in His presence, things are softening even when we cannot see it yet.

Even though we often talk about putting in effort, there is real effort in this way too — just not the kind we usually think. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33 (NKJV)

First, the effort is to fully release it. We drop the problem into God’s presence and let go. We don’t hold back. “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

Second, the effort is to wait on Him. We spend time with Him and enjoy the intimacy. We stop staring at the problem all the time and learn to rest in His presence. “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV) And “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him…” Psalm 37:7 (NKJV)

At the right time, when we come back, a simple step or a gentle action is enough. The problem untangles naturally. What looked impossible becomes straightforward — not because of our effort, but because it was soaked in His presence. “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” Jeremiah 32:17 (NKJV)

Third, when the time is right and God has worked on it, the effort is to do the simple part. We gently pull, walk through the open door, and do what He guides us to do. Just the finishing touch, led by the Spirit. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:14 (NKJV)

I hope this simple picture encourages everyone to learn to let go and let God soften the issues in our lives instead of trying to untangle them by ourselves. May we release our problems to Him through prayer.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that 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 the petitions that we have asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)