“Our inability to surrender had always blocked the effective entry of a Higher Power into our lives.”

– Life with Hope, third edition, page 11

When I gave up my insistence to enforce my will in every single thing I did, or thought I should do, and instead asked God’s will to guide my life, I was able to surrender. It was hard at first because I thought I was driving the universe with my every thought and action. When I realized I was not in control, and could ask for God’s will and guidance, life became easier to take. I was less stressed and looked less at tomorrow and lived more for today.

It is hard at first, don’t get me wrong. When I live in the will, grace, and guidance of the Creator, and do not expect anything, I can concentrate more on my next step and not 1,000 steps down the line. The next step becomes more clear, the next right thing is more apparent. Avoiding a mistake, like smoking a joint because I am stressed out or angry, became more second nature to me. I was able to say, “hey, what did I learn from this?” or, “what should I do next?” I have increasingly been able to make good decisions and not stew in self-pity and resentment of others.

Final thought: Today, I will walk by faith, not by sight.