Today, I’d like to talk to you about the second “sweet” benefit I see in having struggles:
having our illusions of control punctured – if not shattered!
You may be wondering, “Hmmm…and how is this a good thing?
Before I share my thoughts, let me ask you some key questions…
When’s the last time you told your heart to start beating the moment you wake up?
(…or to keep beating at night, for that matter?)
When’s the last time that you reminded the sun to rise in the morning?
When’s the last time you told the weather to change to be more convenient for you?
Ridiculous questions, eh? :)
The point is that we all, myself included, have a LOT LESS CONTROL of our lives than we’d sometimes like to think we do when we step back and think it.
Some of you may not like the implications of that message and object, saying, “Whoa, wait a minute! This is a very dis-empowering message! How does this help me?”
I’d argue that this message can have the opposite effect and be quite empowering.
When I stop and think about how little control I have over the world and even over aspects of my own life, I experience “AHA” moments:
A – Awe & gratitude – “Wow! I get to be alive today! How cool is that?!”
H – Humility – “Dang, I’m definitely not in charge of this whole deal called life.”
A – A sober and VERY clear sense of what I CAN control – “I get to choose what I think about, what I believe, and how I want to show up in life.” (for me, these AHA’s are nothing but the grace of God available to all people)
In conclusion,
Can you see how having your illusions of control punctured – even shattered – can be a positive thing?
If so, what are the implications for you and how you live your life?
Let’s see the SWEET SIDES of struggles so we can THRIVE in life!
