I particularly like this excerpt from Spurgeon's sermon, which incidentally, was published the week of his death in 1892. Often, I need the reminder that I don’t know how things will turn out, and that in reality, this is okay! However, in all honesty, I often wish I knew. It is scary not to know! Even though intellectually I know that it is an illusion to think I can control any outcome, the frightened part of me wants to do so.
I have discovered that the source of most anxiety is this fearful part of me that wants things to turn out a certain way. In fact, I lose my serenity any time I am attached to a particular result. If you are like me, you might benefit from considering this question...What outcome are you insisting on that is making you feel anxious?
You may relate to something on this list:
- needing people to like you
- desperately longing for someone you love to return love
- getting that promotion or interview for a job
- attracting that client
- being approved for a mortgage on your dream home
- having a loved one stop their self-destructive behavior
While it is helpful to do your best to attain what you want, it is also important to remember that you will be fine if it does not happen. In fact, there are several advantages of adopting this attitude. You will worry less, so you have more energy to actually execute your plans. Another plus is that when you are not desperate for a particular outcome, you will be calmer and easier for people to be around. Your happiness and well being can be a testimony of what happens when we surrender to God’s sovereignty! Finally, not only are we walking in integrity when we admit that we don’t know the outcome, there is a freedom that results when we flow with that truth.
So go ahead: set your goals, make your plans, and work diligently. However, I invite you to consider this guiding principle... Submit it all to God and His will, for His ways truly are higher than ours.
Ignorance of the future is a matter of fact. Accept that only He knows the end from the beginning; therefore, we don’t have to! My prayer is that you will then enjoy the freedom that comes from that!
Until next time, God Bless ~ Deb
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