I've struggled recently with worry. The reasons are not important. In fact they have no eternal weight at all. Either they will simply dissolve over time, or they will be resolved justly. Even so, I worry. That means I am not experiencing the peace which is the fruit of the Spirit. And to some extent I have been captive to the idea that I cannot stop. I have no control.
And therein lies the solution: giving up the illusion of control, and giving it all to God. Or, it may be taking control of those things I can, and making decisions that need to be made. A phone call to set a thorny financial issue to rest. A decision that simply needs to be made. A plan that needs to be settled. It can be as simple as that.
And where I have no control, letting go of the illusion that I should be able to. Praying the serenity prayer for real:
Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
O Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me, and grant me the fruit of your presence: peace!
