Switchfoot - The Strength To Let Go Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
I don't like to admit
When I'm wrong and need gifts
Of forgiveness instead of applause
I was dying to prove to myself I could make it alone
Hah, yeah
It took years to confess
That Your love was the best
At unraveling all of my pride
Had to laugh at myself when I realized that You were my home
Chorus
Give me the strength to let go
Give me the strength to surrender
Give me the strength to stop holding on
I've been holding on so long
Give me the strength to let go
And show me the way to come home
And show me the way to come home
Verse 2
Yeah, I'm stubborn and bold
But sometimes it gets old
Fighting voices inside of my brain
I was trying to pretend I was fine when inside it was war
With the stumbling beat
Of my heart and my feet
And the faults of my failures and pains
To think all of this time, I had wings that were ready to soar
Chorus
Give me the strength to let go
Give me the strength to surrender
Give me the strength to stop holding on
I've been holding on so long
Give me the strength to let go
And show me the way to come home
And show me the way to come home
Bridge
Oh Love, light the way home
Light up my soul, I choose mercy instead of control
My life is on loan, forgive and let go
I embrace a belief I don't know
What a beautiful sound, to lay your life down
Your forgiveness is where I am found
Here in Your arms, I finally let down
I am lightning and You are the ground
I am lightning and You are the ground
Chorus
Give me the strength to let go
Won't You give me the faith to surrender?
Come on, give me the strength to stop holding on
I've been holding on so long
Won't You give me the strength to let go?
And show me the way to come home
(I am lightning and You are the ground)
Won't you show me the way to come home?
(I am lightning and You are the ground)
Show me the way to come home
Video
THE STRENGTH TO LET GO
Meaning & Inspiration
Switchfoot offered up a profound musical contemplation on January 17, 2019, with the release of "The Strength To Let Go," a track that delves into the often-counterintuitive truth that true power is sometimes found not in holding on tighter, but in releasing our grip. This song isn't just about passive resignation; it’s an active exploration of the difficult, courageous choice to surrender things we cling to – perhaps control, past hurts, expectations, or even certain aspects of our identity – recognizing that carrying these burdens is ultimately debilitating. The story woven into the melody and lyrics speaks to a universal human struggle with control and the inherent fear of loss, posing the challenge that freedom and peace might lie on the other side of relinquishment. It echoes a fundamental biblical principle: that reliance on our own strength often falls short, and that true strength, the kind needed for such difficult acts of surrender, comes from a source greater than ourselves.
Analyzing the song through a spiritual lens, it deeply resonates with the call to cast our anxieties upon God, as encouraged in 1 Peter 5:7, knowing that He cares for us. The very act of letting go of worry, fear, or the need to control outcomes is presented not as weakness, but as a profound act of faith. This mirrors the teaching in Philippians 4:6-7, which instructs us not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, to present our requests to God, promising that His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. "The Strength To Let Go" captures this transition from anxious grasping to peaceful release, identifying the divine empowerment required for such a shift. It brings to mind Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28-30, urging us to come to Him when weary and burdened, promising that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and that we will find rest for our souls. The song suggests that letting go *is* accepting that lighter burden, exchanging our heavy load for His. Furthermore, the concept of surrender is foundational to discipleship; Jesus Himself called followers to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23), an ultimate act of letting go of self and embracing a life directed by faith. The strength to do this isn't self-generated; it's imparted by grace. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, and in all our ways acknowledge Him, and He will make our paths straight. "The Strength To Let Go" embodies this trust, recognizing that releasing our plans or grip allows God's direction to become clear. The musical arrangement itself often supports this theme, perhaps starting with tension or introspection and evolving into something more open or soaring, mirroring the liberation found in surrender. This song serves as a powerful reminder that the path to resilience and peace often requires the humility and strength to yield, finding our footing not in what we desperately hold onto, but in the unwavering hand that is ready to catch us when we finally choose to let go. It is a message of hope, rooted in the truth that with God, what seems like losing control is actually gaining the ultimate strength and freedom.