LEARNING TO LET GO

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be

constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12, ESV)

That was a very timely verse in a very timely post I recently read on my blog friend Lucinalva's blog. She was writing about how this world is a very stressful place, and how essential it is to learn (from the example set by Jesus) how to maintain balance and respond correctly in the face of challenges.

 Patience is definitely not my forté--especially when things are not going my way--and in the days prior to reading Lucinalva's post, my little world had been very stressful indeed. Technical issues that took hours to resolve, a leak from a busted hot water heater in the utility room, being lied to by someone who thought they had put one over on me, being told I was wrong when I was right by an obstinate handyman who I am dependent on to get things fixed in my apartment, and trying to get past robots who answer the phone and make it just about impossible to get through to a live person. The way I screamed at the robot in my frustration was definitely not what Jesus would do.

I was feeling really traumatized by my lack of control over the many things not going my way, not being able to get people (or robots) do what I wanted them to, and making a lot of assumptions that more often than not turn out to be wrong. 

There is a two-word remedy, which I am trying to remember to apply--LET GO! 

When I focus on the present, remind myself that God is in control and working things out according to His perfect plan, and trust the outcome to Him, He fills my heart with His peace that surpasses understanding even if things don't look as though they are heading the way I think they should. 

Peace feels so much better than being right or having my own way, but I can't have it unless I let go.