By Brenda Cannon Henley
How many times have we been told to let go and let God? Sometimes, we think we have, but most often, we have not truly given the reigns of our life over to the one who made us, who loves us more than we can describe, and who will allow us to live in eternity with him. I have found it to be true that when I truly am destitute for any number of reasons, I ask myself have I truly turned every aspect of my life over to him and do I trust him to handle the situation for my benefit? It very seldom happens that when I think I have let go, that God swoops in and everything in my life falls into shape. It just doesn’t.

In fact, seven hours in a very busy emergency room one night this week made me think this subject over in more clarity than I have in quite some time. I saw folks with hurting hearts for many reasons. There were victims of automobile crashes, some in terrible pain, many with dazed and confused looks on their faces, some tears, an argument or two, one family member being in charge and loud and proud of his knowledge. And, then there were the “regulars” that every hospital knows — The drunks, the addicts, those who needed one more shot, one more pill, or one more script to get them through the night. Few felt content enough to sleep while waiting their turn. Some were reading and a great number were on phones or looking for chargers.

As I saw each face, I thought, “Have they trusted Christ? Are they confident in their salvation? If they died today or tonight, would they go to Heaven or spend eternity in Hell? Have they ever let go and let God?”

Another thing that has bothered me about the truth of this phrase is that it often comes from the man or woman that seemingly has it all together. Looking down their collective noses at someone in lesser standing (according to them anyway) they say, “Oh, you must turn this over to God. Let go and let God handle it for you,” as they drive away in their Mercedes or Rolls to a fine home and grounds.

Truthfully, letting go and letting God is not a one-time action or decision. In my life, it is a continual or reoccurring experience. True inner peace does not come from a problem-free life or from sacrificing who I am as a human being. True inner peace comes from knowing that God and I are on the same team. He is concerned about what concerns me and I should be concerned about what concerns him. After all, he loves all mankind.

As I sat in that crowded waiting room on Wednesday night waiting to be seen by a doctor, I thought, “I am not here alone. God is right here with me in the state of Florida. He knows and loves me and I am his child. He is just as concerned about me here in Florida as he was in Texas or Georgia.” The best I know how I am letting go and letting God continue his work in my life.

If you are in a place today where you feel terribly alone, your burdens are overwhelming, your heart is hurting, your heart lacks joy, a loved one is dying, you are battling illness or financial reverses, don’t try to bear it alone. God wants to share your inner most thoughts, fears, needs, hurts, and desires. Will you allow him to do so? You really may need to say, “God, I am turning loose of this problem. I am asking you to help with it. I realize you have the answer and you want me to succeed and be blessed. Whatever it is that I need to learn to benefit my life, and to help others, help me to learn it quickly and thoroughly.” You may have to pray this daily for a while and you may have to re-read the verses that teach his truth, but God is faithful and he will help us.

My personal prayers go out today to Vanessa and Marie Broussard, in the death of their beloved Tom. He was very kind to me when my own husband, Ted, died in 2014 and we were in the midst of planning two funerals, one in Beaumont and one in Amarillo. My heart broke that we only had ten years together, so I cannot imagine, Vanessa, how your heart is breaking for only having less than a year. May God bless you both and know that He knew the plan before we lived it here on earth.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, or
[email protected]

[3-25-2019]