There’s a lot to be said for sleeping like a log.
I was at a meeting the other evening , and as usual, the chairperson asked if anyone was having a problem staying away from a drink…Or was plagued with any issues they needed to discuss.
A newcomer raised his hand.
His complaint was his inability to sleep, being kept awake from worry and anxiety. Everyone could relate.
I currently have no sleep issues, but I wasn’t always so lucky.
Once upon a time I’d lie awake and stare into the darkness, filled with fear and dread…with any one of a thousand issues vying for attention.
I’d obsess about anything and everything. The impending Rent. The car insurance. The dirty laundry…I know it sounds like a commercial for extra strength aspirin, but it can be all-consuming.
I no longer torture myself, and now easily drop off for a long, uninterrupted sleep (you know you’re getting older when “pulling an All-Nighter” means not getting up to take a leak).
Here’s the big secret:
It’s called my ‘Disaster Box.’
You can refer to it as your ‘God Box’ or whatever you want.
You don’t have to buy anything, because it’s in your mind.
My box is black, oblong, solid and heavy. Think of Pandora’s Box in reverse.
I take all my fears, cares, worries, resentments, regrets, anger…and place them into my box.
While I’m mentally packing that stuff away, I remind myself that I’m down for the evening, and there’s nothing I could possibly tackle right then, anyway.
After I’m satisfied there’s nothing left, I nail the lid shut and present it to God in a kind of mini Third Step; “Dear Lord, I now formally give this box over to your loving, capable hands. This is yours to keep and do with as you please. Thank you for being with me always.”
Here’s the caveat:
Once the lid is sealed, I can’t go back and poke around in it.
I’ve summarily signed over ownership to God. That’s our contract. He’ll take care of it. But first, I must let go of it and stay out of the way.
It’s important to remember God is a gentleman; He won’t enter my life unless he’s invited.
If God’s plan doesn’t exactly coincide with what I want (and it usually doesn’t), that’s okay. Everything will work out in its own way. God doesn’t owe me an explanation.
Faith is not about everything turning out OK; Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out.
Your box can be red and square with a velvet lining. It can be octagonal. It can be an old jelly jar…
It’s yours and there are no rules. It’s very personal, and it works like a charm.
You can give your box any kind of snappy name you want. It’s your rodeo.
HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY:
God doesn’t issue a receipt, or a Progress Report. It’s all taken care of.
Doing this requires equal parts faith and practice to become proficient…and you will become proficient. In time it’ll become automatic.
Your Heavenly Father will never let you down.
