The Beauty of Giving Up

It’s easy to think we’re in control. To believe we can manage things just fine, thank you!

When I get in that “control mode,” I eventually find myself in a heap of frustration and often unknowingly mess things up in a worse way. 

Controlling myself, my actions and attitudes, that’s helpful. Believing I can dictate and regulate all that happens in my day is foolish and damaging. 

Just look what happened to Adam and Eve when they sought to have more power and influence. It cut short their stay in the garden and introduced sin into the world. (Genesis 3)

Or take a peek at Abraham and Sarah, who instead of waiting on God’s plan to unfold, caused lasting unrest when they attempted to dictate how Abraham would receive an heir. (Genesis 16)

Or listen to Jesus’ harsh words, sprinkled throughout the Gospels, to (and about) the Pharisees, who desired to manipulate and manage their environment and all in their sphere of influence (especially Matthew 23:13-32).

Or read about the scheming of Rebekah to secure Jacob’s blessing (Genesis 27) or the Israelites repeated quest to control their lives after their rescue from Egypt (Exodus). 

The Bible is filled with accounts of our plans causing misery, not peace. 

Give Up

But letting go of what we think should happen is difficult. Giving up control over what we want to happen oozes scary. 

For many of us, organized, planned flexibility is fine, even great. But welcoming the unplanned unexpected is another story.

Because it’s easy to believe that if the happenings of our days can be controlled, we will experience a perpetual stream of peace. Subconsciously, unexpected circumstances become a curse, something to avoid.

Yet I’m finding that God is often using them to teach me or grow me in some area.

God often uses unexpected circumstances to teach and grow us. Click To Tweet

Beauty of Giving Up

Getting better at directing our days will not bring lasting serenity and calm. We need to let go of that belief.

God is the key to our peace!

Not the things we do to make a situation better. Not the people that come and go in our lives. Not a desired outcome, a nicer house, a better job, more cooperative children, a more understanding boss, our health, influential connections, …

Not controlling the events of our days and helping them all play nice.

But the Lord Jesus Himself!

In His faithfulness, we discover the peace that cannot be explained in human understanding.

So, what if we give up our perceived control?

What if we give up striving to create peace, letting go of the perfect day or the exact circumstances?

What if we give up trying to make peace happen?

Giving up is the precursor to securing lasting peace. 

We think of giving up as bad, but what if it is the precursor to securing lasting peace? It’s time to surrender our days to the One who knows the beginning from the end and all that stuff in between. It’s time to let go of it all. Click To Tweet

It’s time to surrender our days to the One who knows the beginning from the end and all that stuff in between. It’s time to let go of it all.

What if, instead, we hold up open hands and open hearts to receive all the abundance the Lord has to offer, including calm assurance in the middle of this crazy chaos?

What if we hold up open hands and open hearts to receive all the abundance the Lord has to offer? Click To Tweet

His peace, His abundance? It’s there, and it’s for the taking. It’s a matter of emptying of ourselves and receiving Him.

Then despite where you find yourself, stand back and notice the underlying current of serene beauty flowing in your life. 

“And the Lord will guide you continually
    and satisfy your desire in scorched places
    and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
    like a spring of water,
    whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11

Reflections: What do you need to give up to tap into God’s current of peace?

I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “I give up.” I love these special linkups. They provide an abundance of great inspiration and encouragement all in one place. Click on the image below or link above to check them out.

By His grace ≈

Julie