Letting go gives us Freedom

There are things in life that are beyond our control – like relationships, our job, illness, our plans and dreams, our children, and many other things.  When any of these become a problem, the only thing we can do is to learn to let go for the sake of our sanity and peace of mind.

When a relationship goes awry and the flame of love is fanned with no more love and excitement, then holding to it is compromising one’s self-worth and self-esteem, and self- respect.  It’s like watering a dead flower.

As children change in their behavior when they grow up, it’s no use harping to them our expectations.  They more we tell them, the more they become defensive. We have to bear in mind that people change, even our own children. It’s enough that we have cared and loved them while they were in their mother’s nest.  Our focus now is that we become a mainstay “prayer warrior” in their lives.

The Lebanese writer and philosopher, Kahlil Gibran says: “Your children are not your children. They are sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you. And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.  You may give them your love but not your thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

“You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer’s be for gladness; for even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.”

When confronted with illness, it’s good for our soul to embrace it and lift it to the Lord, the Giver of life, instead of complaining and asking God, “Why?”  Accepting it gives us calmness and even peace in our inner being.

When I was diagnosed with stage 1 endometrium cancer in 2014, I accepted what happened to my body. I did not question nor complain to God; instead, I prayed fervently and persistently for His healing grace. In February this year, my oncologists declared that I am now cancer-free. Praise and thanks be to God. Truly, He answers prayer.

When plans do not materialize the way we want it to be, we just have to trust God. He has another plan for us – a better plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says: “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” Matthew 6:25 ESV says: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what will you put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Proverbs 3:5 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your understanding.” Psalm 37: 5 ESV encourages us: “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act.”

Thich Nhat Hanh gives this reminder: “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”