Men's Rosary

I have heard it said that we must be in control. It is said that we cannot control the situation, but we can control how we react to it. We are told to control our children, to control our emotions, to take charge, to take the bull by the horn. We are expected to “figure it out” and maintain control. Could this all be nonsense and a way of not facing what the reality is? Truth is, God is in control of everything. He has a plan for everyone and everything. To try to figure things out is to expect to figure out what God is thinking. If we knew all that God is thinking and doing; and why – we would be God. The point is that we do not know because we are not God and he is! God is all-knowing and all wise. We need only to cooperate with him and walk in his wisdom in our daily life. “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26)

It is easy to get caught up in the issues and drama of others, feeling we need to find the solution. Too often, we can find ourselves trying to correct things because they do not fit our understanding. Rather than inserting ourselves into the issues of others, we should offer prayerfully considered advise – if our input is asked for. Rather than jump to problem solving and confrontation when things are going contrary to our understanding, we should pray for wisdom, clarity and understanding. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight you paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) There is a plaque in my bedroom that reads “Give it to God, and go to sleep”, a good reminder; too many nights to remember. But should we not give everything to God, and move on in his company and according to his will? “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

We become attached to our opinions. We become attached to our way of doing things. We become attached to our vision of how things should be, how others should behave, and even how the Church should be and liturgy should flow. Life is full of challenges and disappointments, and this attachment makes it worse. It really is not our battle. We will be better served to detach from all our prideful ways, stop trying to control everything, and trust in God. “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:14) If we stay busy fussing over problems and situations there will be no space to hear God. Noise is not only external and the most noise is usually internal. Our thoughts are louder than words! When we detach from our expectations and yield to what and where God leads us, the internal noise ceases and silence permeates providing the space for God.

Though much time may have been spent on attachment to the wrong things, even for the right reasons; it is always a suitable time to redirect our focus from ourselves onto God. No man is self-made; despite the belief that some are. The act of detachment from ourselves and realizing that we control nothing by our own merit, opens the path of answering God’s call and truly having him at the center of our every thought, word and deed. “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it on my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on to the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

“Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather, look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. (St. Francis de Sales)