Do you ever feel like you’re losing control and things are slipping through your fingers? Sometimes when things start becoming a bit chaotic or scary, we panic and grasp for control. But like holding sand and trying to grasp it more tightly, we find it slipping through our fingers even faster. And instead of maintaining control, like King Saul, who was jealous of David’s success and popularity, he eventually lost his kingdom, his son, and his very life.
Or maybe you’re more like Eli, the priest, who was passive and failed to properly train and rein in his sons. He held them too loosely, not realizing things were slowly slipping through his fingers, and he, too, eventually lost his sons, the Ark of the Covenant and his life.
Finding the balance between panic and passivity can be difficult. You may have heard the phrase “Let go and let God”. When we are passive, we use it as an excuse to continue holding things too loosely, and we actually shirk our responsibility. Then we wonder why things are slipping through our fingers, and we blame God for not coming through. When we panic, we have a difficult time letting go and letting God and trusting Him to come to our aid. When things continue to fall apart, in our pride, we tend to blame others rather than asking if we ourselves are somehow to blame.
When we hold things properly— not too loosely and not grasping for control, acting responsibly and trusting God— not only will things not slip through our fingers, but with our hands firmly cupped and looking to God for direction and strength, He is able to help us and even bless us with more. So don’t panic.
April 23rd, 2013 at 8:28 am
Excellent Post!!!! I like this!!! Take Care and God Bless 🙂 Kenny T
April 23rd, 2013 at 8:35 am
Thank you so much, Kenny! It’s something I’ve been pondering for years, finally putting it into words and composing the photos for it. I pray the Lord uses it for His glory and our good.
April 23rd, 2013 at 9:36 am
Your so right Rene; apathy & trepidation are the flip sides of the same coin. If Satan can’t stir you up like a roaring lion then he beguiles you with passivity. Balance in the Lord is not going off half cocked or running in fear, neither is it sitting on the sidelines waiting for God to make the first move. God gave us a conscience, intellect & the Holy Spirit to lead & guide us, but also to keep us balanced and calm. Phil.4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NIV)
April 23rd, 2013 at 10:31 am
Thank you, Randell! I really appreciate your encouragement and input! (^_^)
April 23rd, 2013 at 4:34 pm
This is an excellent, insightful blog post, Rene Yoshi. It seems we (Christians) tend to severely panic for one of two reasons; either the Lord is not marching to our particular drumbeat or He is not performing at a pace matching our timetable. In the first instance perhaps we need to think maybe what we’re doing isn’t the Lord’s will? As to the second instance, we tend to look at the wrong ‘clock’. Either way, isn’t it so telling the problem always lies with US, never, ever with Him?
Thank you for your excellent reminder that sand will be sand; it depends Whose Hands hold it.
April 23rd, 2013 at 6:49 pm
I love your last statement, “…sand will be sand; it depends Whose Hands hold it”. I think, too, that we panic when people seemingly drift away or stop marching to our particular drumbeat or timetable. But yes, I agree, the problem never, ever lies with the Lord. Thank you, Scott! (^_^)
April 24th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
I love this post! I just found your blog through someone else’s, and I’m so glad I did. I couldn’t put into words what you managed to do with words and pictures, but the sand slipping through the fingers, yes! Yes, I’ve felt that way so many times! Lovely blog. I can’t wait to read more. 🙂
April 24th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I’ll have to check out your blog when I get back to my computer. Thank you for visiting and leaving such an encouraging comment!
April 24th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
This is so true and so difficult to do. I heard on the radio today that we should not tell God how big our problems are but tell our problems how big our God is. Holding on to God in the midst of trials is a true test of our own faith. May we always hold on to Him with just the faith we need. Thanks Rene!
April 24th, 2013 at 9:34 pm
Amen, Katherine! Thank you so much for the reminder and prayer!
April 24th, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Wonderful post, Sweets. Great visual imagery to go along with a valuable admonition. Also, it looks like this one has generated a lot of comments. Very well done! g.
April 24th, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Thank you, g! I’ve learned a lot from you. (^_^)
April 27th, 2013 at 12:06 am
Reblogged this on Morning Story and Dilbert.
April 27th, 2013 at 8:52 am
Wow….Thank you, Kenny!
April 27th, 2013 at 12:53 am
Thank you for this. Greatly needed at this time 🙂 I’m glad I found your blog.
April 27th, 2013 at 8:52 am
Don’t you love God’s timing? Thank you so much for visiting, Jordan! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 3:20 am
Had a chance to look around. I love your blog! Beautiful photos and beautiful words to go with them! Thank you for this post! God bless you!
April 27th, 2013 at 8:53 am
Thank you so much, Especially Made, for all the ‘Likes’ and encouragement! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 6:48 am
It was beautifully written. I hold things to tightly and have to remind myself the God’s got this! Its mostly out of fear. It reminds me of riding my motorcycle on a bad dirt road. I hang on but not tightly so i wont roll on or off the throttle too much while going over bumps. Thanks for posting! It encouraged me this morning when i started off feeling really down
Sent from my iPhone
April 27th, 2013 at 8:55 am
Thank you, Cassandra, for the added analogy of riding a motorcycle. I’m glad you were encouraged. Love you! ((hugs))
April 27th, 2013 at 7:39 am
Reblogged this on Gods group and commented:
Trust God !! He doesn’t make any mistakes !!
Blessings in Christ, bruce
April 27th, 2013 at 8:56 am
Thank you so much, Godsmanforever! Amen! He doesn’t make any mistakes! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 8:27 am
Excellent! Well thought through. Thank you for sharing those really good thoughts.
April 27th, 2013 at 8:56 am
Thank you for visiting and being an encouragement! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 9:15 am
Reblogged this on Clay Tablets.
April 27th, 2013 at 9:54 am
Thank you so much, Mr. Drake! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 10:53 am
You are welcome Rene. You can call me Doug. I’m very informal. Sorry to hear you aren’t in Southern Cali any more. Lots of people have moved out, but there are still a few left
April 27th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
Thank you, Doug. Actually, although I lived in So. Cal. decades ago, I grew up in NC and have since been transplanted to the north. I just visited your blog and really enjoyed the article on the Hebrew Roots Movement. Thanks again!
April 27th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
Thanks Rene,
I hear NC is beautiful
April 27th, 2013 at 6:41 pm
Yes, it is very beautiful with it’s mountains and coast.
April 27th, 2013 at 10:48 am
Excellent post…no panic nor apathy when on our knees we surrender it up to God and ask Him to work in situation.
April 27th, 2013 at 11:56 am
Thank you, Glenda! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 11:46 am
Beautifully said! I’m still trying to find that balance. I’m praying all the time for insight about it.
April 27th, 2013 at 11:57 am
Me, too, coffeediva, me too! Thank you so much for visiting! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
wise advice, thanks for sharing! =D
April 27th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 12:27 pm
I love the tension you present here… as well as the struggle. It’s a tightrope for sure! I also think many Christians assume that “waiting on the Lord” has to be passive. I’m not so sure… I think waiting on the Lord can be very active as we seek His face, His voice, and His guidance.
Anyway, beautiful post… thanks for getting me thinking!
April 27th, 2013 at 2:23 pm
I agree, Mr. Hogan! Waiting on the Lord does not have to be passive. Thank you for your insight and presenting another perspective! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
[…] https://sweetrains.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/dont-panic/ […]
April 27th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
we should go with the flow. This too shall pass.
Vishal
http://www.vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com
April 27th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
Thank you for visiting! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
I too have to say that after my mom died 7 months ago, I felt like I was loosing my dad, literally felt that he was sliding thru our fingers. My dad met someone from the past who had hurt him then and we didn’t want her to do it again, he was put thru enough. I cried, screamed, stomped my feet, but I didn’t get anywhere, God put me down one day and had me spend the whole day with him, praying, listening to music, etc.. He told me to Let Go and let God, that he has this. Not long after she did break his heart, but God had to show him she wasn’t for him. He wasn’t sliding thru our fingers like the sand, I believe I did in my faith with God and he had to prove to me he is always here. Thanks for the post, made me really think.
Joy@mom923
April 27th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
I’ve been there, too. This post has been years in coming. Thank you for sharing your own experience and presenting a real life example. I hope others read your response and are helped as well. Blessings to you! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
It gets easier as you get older. Stuff doesn’t matter as much as it did. When you approach your three score years and ten, you start getting to be a bit more tranquil. You won’t be here for ever. It’s sad…yes..but inevitable, and so long as you haven’t done too much damage, then God will be kind.
April 27th, 2013 at 4:10 pm
I sense in you a measure of humility, for I have witness others around three score and ten and beyond who have been anything but tranquil. I am grateful God is kind even when we have done much damage. Thank you for visiting and sharing your wisdom and experience. 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
I printed this to use in my Bible study on Trusting God. Also posted on facebook:) God Bless
April 27th, 2013 at 6:41 pm
I’m so glad you were blessed by it! Thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂
April 27th, 2013 at 11:40 pm
Rene, your post speaks to my heart. Right now we’re facing a very hard family situation. We’re slowly getting the house in order after a big big mess. It’s really hard, testing, heartbreaking to watch your life almost fall apart in many aspects. We’d neglected some duties and performed badly in others. Spiritually, it seems we were doing almost everything wrong. I’ve alienated my 3-year-old to the point he disliked me and didn’t want to play with me. I had to leave my job to try to work out the situation with him. Quality and QUANTITY time was a big requirement for him.
We’re really working hard (and praying hard!) to find the necessary wisdom and balance to get our derailed parenthood back on track.
I would appreciate your prayers. And thank you for posting the blog. It’s been helpful.
April 28th, 2013 at 12:26 am
I am so sorry to hear of the heart-wrenching struggle you’ve been experiencing. I almost alienated my daughter when she was a young teen because of legalism and fear. I’m glad my post spoke to your heart and hurt, and I pray for wisdom, reconciliation, and healing. ((hugs))
April 28th, 2013 at 12:49 am
[…] and we blame God for not coming through. " Read the rest of this insightful and inspiring article! https://sweetrains.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/dont-panic/ Laura A. Diaz @ 11:17 AM [filed under Christian Life Leave a Comment […]
April 28th, 2013 at 7:55 am
Thank you so much for visiting and sharing!
April 28th, 2013 at 9:33 am
Wonderful post Rene! I’ll try to keep this in mind. I’ve been panicking a lot lately.
April 28th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Thank you, Rynna! I pray you find a place of calmness and strength.
April 28th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Thank you, just the words I need now. =>
April 28th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Thank you for visiting. I’m so glad you were blessed!
April 28th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
What a great post! Needed to hear it now. My whole life feels like that “sand” slipping through my fingers. Ooh, or the way it feels at the beach when you are at the shoreline and the tide pulls the sand out from under and between your toes 🙂
April 28th, 2013 at 9:12 pm
I love that feeling of the tide pulling the sand out from under and between my toes. I am so missing the beach right now. Praying the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, would comfort and strengthen you and give you wisdom and a sense of peace. ((hugs))
April 29th, 2013 at 6:47 am
Thank you 🙂
April 29th, 2013 at 6:37 am
[…] Da: https://sweetrains.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/dont-panic/ […]
April 29th, 2013 at 8:18 am
Thank you!
April 29th, 2013 at 6:59 am
Very good post!
April 29th, 2013 at 8:19 am
Thank you, David! 🙂
February 10th, 2014 at 8:40 am
[…] https://sweetrains.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/dont-panic/ […]
February 10th, 2014 at 8:55 am
Thank you!
February 12th, 2014 at 7:14 am
This is indeed the way we need to view life. Two words ‘let go’ but oh so powerful if we can really do it.
Thank you for making us think and reflect!
February 12th, 2014 at 9:11 am
Yes, it is not always easy. Thank you, Dilip. 🙂
June 11th, 2014 at 12:29 am
[…] If you liked this, you might also like… “Just Do Something” and “Don’t Panic” […]