The Mountains Are CallingSample

Losing Control to Find Peace

You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the field— all the world around you—will rejoice.

ISAIAH 55:12 TLB

What are the best ways to find peace? Externally, we hike a forest trail, kayak a quiet waterway, walk the beach, bike the countryside, or climb a mountain. Internally, we trust God. The latter is straightforward and simple, but it can be a lot harder for us to do. As humans in a fast-moving world, where conveniences, quick results, and instant gratification are at an all-time high, we can fall into the habit of taking control rather than trusting God. When things in our life start to flare up or fall apart, we instinctively start planning solutions.

How can I fix this problem? How can I handle this conflict? How can I get through this without crawling into bed and pulling the covers over my head? The truth is, and thankfully, we just need to go to God and surrender the struggle. It’s good to be completely transparent with our feelings and fears, even though He knows them all. The honesty is for our benefit. We get better at letting Him take the controls when it gets easier for us to confess how much we can’t do it alone. God knows that realizing we need Him is the highest hurdle we’ll cross in getting to the perfect peace He alone can give. We need God. Every day, in every decision, and in every battle we face. No one loves us as much or comes to our side as fast or as faithfully.

The One who carved mountains and separated oceans is waiting for us to simply ask for the help we need, and then to trust Him with the wisest, best, and most loving response. There’s peace for today. We can have it outside in His creation, and we can have it inside through His grace. Nothing is too hard for Him and anything is possible with Him. When we trust Him with all our heart, we have peace no matter what we face—and we know His love will give exactly what we need.

Dear God, I trust You with every detail of my life today. Take all my worries and take away my desire to control the things only
You can.