This week I've been thinking a lot about my granny's favorite saying "let go and let God". As many of you know, I have a slight tendency to worry-actually if worrying was a sport at the Olympics, I would be on the podium in the gold medal spot. Years ago, when I was worrying myself sick about something, my granny told me to "let go and let God" and everything would be fine. Letting God was not a problem, letting go was a whole different thing.
I'm not only a worrier, I'm a control freak and I like things done a certain way (my way and in my time). However, I like to think that I'm getting better at doing both. I have learned that I can either worry myself into an early grave, or I can let go and let God handle it. I finally figured out that God was all knowing, all powerful, knew me and my strengths and weaknesses, even had a plan for me. He would know what I was going through and what needed to happen in my life. I, of course, needed to do my part by thinking up solutions and then taking them to the Lord because the answer to a problem wasn't just going to plop out of the sky on my head. I also figured it out that I can't control what other people do, think or feel as much as I wish I could because I'm always right :-) They have their agency as well and I have to let go and let God handle their problems or issues and if I "don't have a dog in that fight", I need to get away from the fight and let other people sort it out. Now, I'm not saying that I don't get upset about things (just ask Mike-he's privy to my rants about the injustices of the world on an almost daily basis), but I know that I can't change certain things. I can work toward a goal-giving money to certain groups that I support, paying my tithing and fast offering, vote, etc. but I can't MAKE certain things happen just because I want it. Believe me, if I could do that, everyone would have jobs, homes, world peace and enough to eat.
Also while I was thinking, some verses of scripture came to my mind that pop up when I am troubled or feel put upon or that I just can't deal with things anymore. I think about the Prophet Joseph Smith, in Liberty jail for months and in the Doctrine & Covenants (for all you non-LDS readers, it's a book of scripture written during our day dealing with modern day revelation), there are two sections that really hit home. Those are Sections 121 and 122 and here are the pertinent verses for me:
5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;
6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;
7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.
I know that my trials are puny by comparison and if he can Let Go and Let God, then so can I.
Peace and love y'all!
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6 comments:
I always say that if others were only as perfect in their thinking as I am then all would be well. I have little tolerance for stupidity.
Like the new look! Worrying and letting go...charter life long member of that group LOL I don't worry as much as I used to. Course my kids don't live at home anymore either.
I like the idea of thinking globally and acting locally. None of us can solve all of the problems in the world, but we can all improve the spheres we inhabit. I've found that if I'm a little sunnier and upbeat, then the atmosphere in my home gets that way too. Then the people who come there can hopefully catch the "spirit" of it and take it with them.
Thank you for writing that for me. You know with all that is going on that I really need to get outside of it and look at it from someone else's perspective.
It is definately a good thing that while we were cutting up in the Singles Ward that you were actually listening and could use that to help me when we got older!
Fellow ESAL---I'm also the epitome of a multi-tasker. I'm talking to myself as well.
Now THIS is something I could have used the day it was posted! But it's still helpful now. I keep thinking I'm supposed to learn something from the crisis that was my life this past month - I think this is it.
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