Let go and let God handle your worries

At a business conference in New York City, there was a speaker who gave the audience a powerful story offering an important life lesson. The anecdote was about a wise businessman.

At a business conference in New York City, there was a speaker who gave the audience a powerful story offering an important life lesson. The anecdote was about a wise businessman. The businessman was a good man. He was a leader in the organization and in his community. People came to him for advice. For the businessman was faithful, kind and giving. And he helped others in times of their greatest need. Confident and secure, there was a calm and peacefulness that radiated from him.

But the businessman had a daily ritual. Each morning, when the businessman arrived at his office, he would take off his suit jacket and he’d place the jacket on the back of his office chair. Then, the businessman would stand behind his chair for five minutes or so, deep in thought, staring at his jacket.

As time went on, many of the businessman’s coworkers speculated as to why he had this daily ritual. Meanwhile, one of his long-time co-workers got up the nerve to talk to him about it.

The co-worker saw the businessman outside his office. His mind began to race, and he asked if he could speak to him for a few moments. The businessman was welcoming, as he guided him to his spacious office and replied, “Of course.” While inside, privately, the coworker seized the opportunity and quickly questioned, “Why do you remove your jacket, put it on the back of your chair, and then stand over it like you’re praying?”

He leaned toward his coworker as if he were telling him a secret. “This daily ritual has helped me tremendously,” the businessman declared. With the same compassion in his voice that he offered to everyone, the businessman spoke, “My jacket represents my worries, fears, and any issues I am dealing with in my life.”

The businessman’s words strung together beautifully, as he carried on, “Each day is a gift that God has given to us. By removing my jacket, in my mind’s eye, I imagine that my fears, worries and challenging situations are on the jacket.”

Listening to his every word, the co-worker was intrigued. “After I take off the jacket, I spend a few minutes detaching myself from all of those negative things. It helps me to turn off any anxious thoughts and regain control of my mind. I ‘let go’ of certain circumstances, so I can go about my day being free,” the businessman sincerely said. A peace came over the co-worker and he thanked the businessman for sharing his ritual with him.

Likewise, is there something from which you need to detach yourself? What thoughts are playing over and over in your mind?

On your way to your heart’s desires, there can be stresses, worries and even injustices. Perhaps, you’re bound by anxiety, regrets or mistakes of the past. Maybe you just can’t seem to get ahead. Or, life took you down a dark path. And you might be burdened down with bitterness, hurts and sorrows, afraid of what’s next in your future.

Yet, whatever is restricting you; you’ve struggled long enough. No matter what comes your way, you can overcome what you face. There are some things that we can’t do anything about right now. So, “Let go and let God.” Let us place our past disappointments, worries and cares in God’s Hands. Do your part and release the anger. For

give those who hurt you. And stop beating yourself up for past mistakes. Your life is not over. God is not finished with you. Hence, don’t condemn yourself. All is going to be alright. So stay calm, and look at your circumstances from a more balanced, less-fearful perspective. God has a great purpose for you; and regardless of what you are going through today, that still holds true. You will get beyond this difficulty and come out far better than before.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Many years ago, a couple I know unknowingly got involved with someone in business and this person really wronged and deceived them. This honest, hard-working couple had to endure years of frustration and pain, losing money and valuable time, because of one person’s dishonesty and deceit.

Becoming physically ill because of the circumstance, the wife told me how she got down on her knees and prayed, “Lord, I have done all I can, I release this situation to you.” She implored, “You have seen our hurts, and pain and every time we have been mistreated, but I am forgiving that man who has hurt us, and trusting You to work this out according to Your way of wisdom.”

From then on, she released the bitterness she was holding in her heart and vowed to not strike back in anger at the man who hurt them. Instead, she said she filled her mind with positive, productive and fruitful actions. For the less we think about the pain of the past, who hurt us, or the difficulties in our pathway, the more we can do to constructively overcome them. So she stopped complaining. She shut down those discouraging voices, for speaking negative circumstances out only makes things worse.