Gripping & Grasping
Think about what you fear--
How much of your fear is centered on either not getting what you want or not losing what you have?
Some say that there are two basic types of fear: fear of losing what you have and fear of not getting what you want.
How much of our fear is related to what we think will make us happy--money, people, places, things?In other words, we fear that if we lose something that we will lose our happiness, so we tighten our grip. Or we have a fear that we will not get something we want thereby losing a future moment of happiness.
I just wonder if we can really obtain happiness with fear as the primary motivator?
C.P. Snow said, “The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase; if you pursue happiness you'll never find it.”
Fear does little to bring about inner peace and stillness of the soul, how could it possibly lead to happiness? It would seem that happiness doesn’t bring about inner peace and stillness of the soul, but it is inner peace and stillness of the soul that dissolves fear and allow for happiness.
How many people do you know who pursued something or would not let go of something out of fear only to discover that what they thought would make them happy actually made them miserable?
When I am most frustrated and “unhappy” is usually when I am most fearful of not getting what I want or fearful of losing something that I have that I think will make me happy.
Jesus encouraged his followers to center their lives on God— to “seek first the Kingdom of God" -- to open their hands and release their grip, thus relasing their fear.
Isn’t it amazing the miracle that takes place when we shift our attention from fear and the pursuit of happiness to God who is in us and each other?
I think I am most happy when I am not trying to be.
I think I am least fearful when I am not gripping or grasping.
9 Comments:
Sometimes, I think the homeless (or as my friend refers to them... urban campers) have the right idea. They are free from the fear of losing what they have, because they have nothing. And they are free of the fear of not gaining anything because they don't want anything.
I know you'll think I'm being harsh and uncaring, but I'm serious... sometimes I really envy that lifestyle.
One of my biggest fears is losing God. Not because I think that God will fail me or lose me. But because I see my fickleness. Like the hymn says: "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love." I see that potential in my heart...to throw in the towel...and I fear that. What does that say about my love (or lack thereof) for God?
mec
How many people do you know who pursued something or would not let go of something out of fear only to discover that what they thought would make them happy actually made them miserable?
Heh. That describes at least three, if not more, of my early romantic relationships, from college through my mid twenties. Eh, who am I kidding? The relationship in my late 20s/early 30s was similar, except that I tried to make him go away, and he wouldn't. This was before I learned healthy boundaries, LOL.
Anyway, I saw a plaque that I almost bought (eek, trite sayings for my wall?) that read: Happiness is wanting what you have. Perhaps it's a cliche, but I find it true. Have I mentioned lately that I'm pretty happy? :)
Yes, it seems the more i chase after something i want, the less happy i am and all the more what i want is out of grasp.
Letting it go and not holding on to it tightly, and grasping Go brings
contenment
Almost all of our thinking is about the past or the future, but in reality only now exists. When we live in the past or future we live in fear or doubt. God wants us to live only in this moment because then we are trusting in God and in ourselves.
One of the many secrets of life is that life will bring to us what we focus on. Doubt and especially fear are powerful forces which only intensifies the certainty of the arrival of what we fear.
Trusting that life only wants the very best for me will bring to me that which is best for my spiritual growth, not my ego.
We have to encounter problems because the soul needs challenges to overcome for its growth, but with trust there is an answer for every problem. If we had no challenges, why bother coming here?
If you are in a physical body, your real self knows there are still opportunities to learn or to serve.
Trust in life. Be happy. It's your birthright.
that said, shaking off fear is NOT easy. unfortunately.
yet I too want to seek first His kingdom.
Good thoughts Rick. I can see myself in what you say, for better and for worse, as to my own grasping or letting go. Am growing though, I think, thankfully.
Insightful post.
And I would concur that we are not usually the best judges of what is best for us, I'm living proof of that!
God Bless.
In a discussion class recently one of the church member said, "My biggest fear is I'll cease to fear that which is healthy for me to fear."
I'd never thought of it that way, but she had a point.
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