pliable, humble, receptive

Weakness is not the kind of weakness which we show by sinning and forgetting God, but the kind of weakness which means being completely supple, completely transparent, completely abandoned in the hands of God… You could think of that [weakness] also in terms of a sail. A sail can catch the wind and be used to maneuver a boat only because it is so frail. If instead of a sail you put a solid board, it would not work; it is the weakness of the sail that makes it sensitive to the wind.

– Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

Another powerful remedy for healing inner turmoil is being supple, transparent, and completely abandoned in the hands of God.

In Matthew 18:3, we are commanded to become like children, acutely aware at all times of our dependence on God.  This means we stop trying and start releasing all of our fears, weaknesses, and uncertainties to Christ. 

Our rigid expectations of ourselves, our lives, and others blind us to the salvific paths laid out before us. How often do we just stand there in place, banging on closed doors and lamenting our disappointments instead of learning to pivot with faith, hope, and gratitude?

The only way to truly find calm in the midst of our trials and disappointments is by becoming pliable, humble, and receptive to God’s strength and unearthly wisdom.

Spiritual writer Henri Nouwen wrote, “To wait with openness and trust is an enormously radical attitude toward life. It is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life.” 

God delights in our trust and our yielding to His plans for us (and for our loved ones). 

Journal prompt:

In what areas of your life are you gripping for control rather than yielding to God’s timing and providence? 

How would it feel to release the future to Christ and simply rest in His promise that He is working all things out for good?

What other creative and light-filled endeavors could you pursue if your mind and heart were at peace? 

This week, set your intention to swat away anxious thoughts before they can land and take root. Reframe little frustrations and disappointments as a training ground for developing vigilance and patience, teaching your soul to remain trusting and stable through bigger trials and uncertainties. 

The saints say that '[inner] turmoil is not due to the sudden change of [external] conditions, but rather finds its source within our individual selves and thoughts. If those thoughts are right [minded], we will remain in a perpetual state of peace, in stillness and calm, though storms are stirred up all around us."'

- Hieromonk Gregorious