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blogging, faith, humor, insanitybytes22, quitters club, surrender
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This little gal recently said, “I quit. That’s it, I give up. I’m done. Can’t do this anymore. I let go.”
Yes, amen! Sadly, she and I don’t have a close enough relationship for me to just say, “well done good and faithful one!” Letting go, that is the first step to just about anything good that might come our way. Another way of saying “I quit,” is, “I relinquish control.”
I feel a bit at odds with the Western, Christian world sometimes. Our Western values are more like, “Fight the good fight. You can be anything you want. Persevere. Run the race. Don’t give up. I can do all things…”
That’s a lot more “Western” than it is “Christian.” Surrender is just not very fashionable, is it? Everybody hates a quitter. But I happen to believe that a big part of following Jesus Christ is about admitting defeat. That doesn’t sell very well, but it’s the truth. I can do nothing, I’m like stuck in the mire, drowning in quicksand…..so Jesus came and reached out His hand to me.
When you are banging your head on a brick wall, and getting a terrific headache in the process, the best thing to do is to quit. Stop it already. Ask for help. Try something different.
Surrender, submission, really is my top secret superpower, my ninja skill. Chuckling here because that not very glamorous, not very on brand, but it is a pretty intense battle, a powerful war. Like in comparison, slaying dragons or taking over a pirate ship sounds like child’s play, a vacation, good fun. I think people who are actually good at surrender, go off to slay dragons just to relax…..
A really good saying is, “let go and let God.” When I am weak, He is strong. Quit, give up more often. Surrender all. Let it go. Just put yourself in a state of receiving whatever comes your way and go and smell the roses. So, so much of our anxiety, distress, frustration, revolves around an inability to let go of control.
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Good point. I might add, knowing when to let go of control in order to relieve inner turmoil.
It brings to mind Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer, variant…
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
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Exactly Doug, learn how to let go in order to relieve some inner turmoil.
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I thought that was the Ann Landers prayer Doug? ;). Regardless it’s great advice.
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👍🙏🏼Amen!
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“So, so much of our anxiety, distress, frustration, revolves around an inability to let go of control.” I can’t tell you how much of a blessing this post is. I have been drowning in so much stress and anxiety lately. Thank you for reminding me that sometimes you just need to let go and let God.
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A great take on “quitting”–it is a virtue when it’s done the right way and at the right moment…
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We often urge people who are having problems to take action. “Don’t just stand there! Do something!” Perhaps there are times when we should advise just the opposite. “Don’t do something! Just stand there!”
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Thank you for your wisdom on this IB. Anxiety and worry are such widespread problems and they are fueling the drug addiction crisis. Reading a great book by Max Lucado called Anxiety for Nothing who outlines how to deal biblically with being a worrier. Good stuff.
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My theme this season revolves around embracing what is in conjunction with we have a choice to direct our attention to the things that stimulate us in the manner that is satisfying- I happen to notice the birds in the sky the rodents in the yards and the bugs that populate my environment- I ignore or more accurately shed the news of the day designed to influence me, I seek peace and opportunity to share what I have been given- If I had not surrendered, and continue to I am in bondage to the purveyors of division
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Been life-learning about this a lot, lately!
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It’s always interesting to me that the “I can do all things through Christ,” quote was originally penned about contentment. Not so much sports or hard things or whatever. Just being content in any and all circumstances!
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RE: Our Western values are more like, “Fight the good fight. You can be anything you want. Persevere. Run the race. Don’t give up. I can do all things…”
Indeed, this is prevalent in many works oriented persuasions (versions) of Christendom that frustrate grace. “I can do all things” is the godly result of abiding in Christ. But such perseverance is NOT based upon our ability to endure, but entrusted absolutely to His power and promises. While seemingly altruistic to constantly engage in pulling oneself up by proverbial bootstraps, it is NOT what being fed and led by the Holt Spirit entails.
Abiding is a perpetual state of being, NOT a regular exercise in mere hopes of eventual gain. It is a constant REST from such striving, however meritorious such religious practice appears. Having truly gained Christ, we can do all things.
“For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” – Heb. 4:10.
For a more detailed insight, I suggest this LINK = https://wp.me/p4H39f-1l
Yes! “People who are actually good at surrender, go off to slay dragons just to relax…..”
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Amen, MJ. Abiding is rest from such striving. Somebody smart once said, “sheep don’t strive!” Makes me laugh because they really don’t.
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The ultimate goal is for believers to EXPRESS, individually & corporately, the very life, nature &ways of our Lord.
This is achieved by a genuine, biblical putting off of Adam… and the putting on of Christ. THIS is our calling.
If this is done, the body of Christ is an irresistible force, whether in life or in death. History bears witness to this reality.
How incredibly sad that there is so little of this world-changing dynamic today, when multitudes claim to have a relationship with Christ, and “churches” are everywhere.
I include myself in that assessment.
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