Oh wow, am I in a MOOD for the past few days! I try to take my own advice most of the time, but still there are things looming in the air that are beyond my control and sometimes, I cannot help but feel a little bit down. Read this: I said I feel a little bit down. I did not say I feel helpless.
While I know I give good advice, in all honestly, there are times when the tools do not seem to work and we continue to feel icky about the things over which we have no control. (That’s the down part, not the helpless part.)
I’m in several situations right now where I would like to open up and give a firm talking-to to those involved but it’s not my place, so I have to keep silent. The fact is, that often in life, we’re presented with situations where it would be easy to just let go and spew what’s in our hearts, but it’s absolutely not appropriate.
It’s these times that it’s important to recognize the difference between down and helpless. We’re actually never helpless. That’s a total illusion. When situations are beyond our control, the choice not to let it grab hold and pull us under is an action step that is within reach.
These are the times it’s perfectly okay to go into cocoon-mode. Do nothing. Pray hard. Talk to a trusted friend or family member. Do what feeds the soul.
I was just sharing with a close friend that I believe these are the times God uses to work on our faith. Sometimes fear can cause us to act on impulse because we’re looking for a quick solution. (I can’t count the number of times in my life where if I’d just waited a little while longer before doing something drastic, my situation would have improved on it’s own.)
Most often if we can find the self control to sit on our proverbial hands and wait while God is at work, the results are miraculous. He can see what we cannot. He has solutions we aren’t aware of. His healing has a much further reach than ours and so on.
Just recently I had a financial situation that seemed to have no explicable answer. Instead of obsessing over it, I gave it to God because, based on my past experience, giving it over and refusing to worry over it, always works. Yes, I absolutely did have a “Plan B” in mind, but rather than implement that plan, I went with “Plan A” which is always, “Trust that God sees and knows and will respond.”
Today He did. Unexpected funds appeared and financial issue averted. Amen.
PS–That image up there? This was a dollar bill actually received in the collection plate at the church where I work. Just love it!
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Let go and let God….something I’m just barely starting to truly understand and practice in my life. I’m not where I need to be, but I’m sure not where I use to be!! Love you!!
You are really rocking it, Angela. It definitely DOES take practice but I’m older than you. I’ve had a LOT of practice!!! <3