The thought of being in control makes us feel good. If we get everything done on our to-do list that day, we evaluate the day as a “good day,” maybe even a great day. Why? Because we felt we were in control. You planned objectives and the day obeyed. But, I think we would all agree those days are rare.
I met a friend for coffee recently and it was obvious the day was not obeying her. It started when her little one climbed into her bed that morning, fell asleep, and then peed in her bed. Awesome! As she is cleaning up the situation and her daughter, her little girl announces that she does NOT want to go to her tee-ball game. You know . . . the one that her Mom signed up to coach . . . that one. They arrived late to the game and while she is coaching, my friend gets hit on her forehead with a bat, from a boy who also did not want to be there. As the boy’s parents argue with each other and try to “coach the coach” on whether or not he should play because of his behavior, my friend begins to melt. Later, when I met her for coffee she pointed out, “It’s only 11am . . and I have to go back out there for another tee ball game at 12!” The hits just keep on comin, don’t they?
Feeling out of control is not a good feeling, but what if we could transfer the control to someone who is smarter, more inventive, and powerful than us? Wouldn’t that be a relief? When situations or problems come up, they would know just what to do. They wouldn’t be worried or frazzled, just calm and confident.
The way we can have inner rest is not by methods the world may use, but by relinquishing control to God. Put your problem, concerns, or worries into His hands. But to do that, they must come OUT of your hands.
This is often the struggle we feel – we want things to go well, but we don’t want to let go. If we let go, we might feel irresponsible; but to hand something over to God and leave the keys with Him is the most responsible thing you can do.
Living with inner rest does not mean we are lazy and don’t do anything. But going about life in a restful manner mentally can revolutionize our lives. But the only way to let go is to know the problem is being taken care of by another. Someone you trust, someone more capable than wonderful you.
Let’s pretend you are a college student who has a Calculus test to complete, but don’t know how to do it. A tenured older man walks in the room and introduces himself as Albert Einstein. Calculus is easy to him because physics is easy; astrophysics is easy, so integrals and limits in calculus are a cinch. What if Albert told you, “I can help you. In fact, I know exactly how to solve each problem, and I will sit here with you and help.” What would you say? “No thanks Nobel Prize winner! I got this.”
Inviting God to sit right next to you, day in and day out, and help you with each problem is a beautiful relationship . . . it’s like having Einstein help with your math homework. It is quite a relief. Let God’s breath of fresh air come over you, because you were not intended to do this life alone, nor solve all of your problems.
As life’s problems show up, you have the honor of having the most marvelous and talented genius right next to you. It’s time to really trust our Creator with our daily problems and find the beauty and relief of letting go.
Tap into your faith, no matter how small it feels, and stretch it. Start believing for more than you have before. It will grow, and what used to be difficult to let go of will become much easier. Letting go and standing in faith is a habit, one that the Holy Spirit will help you form and grow. It starts with a willing heart.
If we can trust a math test to Albert, we can trust our lives to the Creator of our life and the One who holds us so dearly to His heart.
For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God . . . but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And WE are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” – Hebrews 3:4,6
Prayer: Lord, I trust you to take care of this issue and solve it because you are the genius here. I release this worry into your hands, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
