The writer Hugh Prather made this arresting statement:
“Have you ever noticed that the moment you become unhappy is usually the moment you attempt to control another person?”
That really makes sense to me! And it reminds me of something that happened to me. I was managing an orchestra, and two days before a concert a big storm dropped 2 of snow. I called the owner of the parking lot to ask about plowing, but he refused to commit to plowing the lot before the concert, saying he didn’t need it himself until the next day — and he told me I had no right to have it plowed myself.
As I hung up, my first thought was how cruel and unfair this was. I felt I’d lost control of the situation and couldn’t do my job.
But, as a student of Christian Science, I knew there was an answer that would bless everyone, so I turned my thought to the Infinite Intelligence of the Universe – you could call it God — and simply trusted the controls to that.
I let go of the need to control things myself, and …
I let go of the angry feelings.
Meanwhile, the phone was ringing off the hook with people asking if the concert was still on. I told them yes, not really knowing, but with a calm feeling that that was a good answer.
The morning of the concert, I drove to the concert hall to find the lot completely plowed. The concert that day was wonderful, all went smoothly, and we had a nice big audience.
This experience had a profound effect on me. It gave me the courage to let go of the need to control, and instead trust God, keep my thought calm, refuse to engage in anger and expect good.
You can experience this kind of practical trust.
~Transcript of video below
Read about others who have found it makes sense to let go of the need to control:
What’s truly in control of us? / Christian Science Sentinel
We can stand firm for our capacity to think and act rightly, and lean on God’s power to enable us to identify and refute opposite thinking.
The art of spiritualizing thought – The Christian Science Journal
“It’s time to spiritualize thought.” These words resounded within me as I worked on a complicated professional undertaking that affected many people. Immediately I stopped what I was doing. These words were certainly not the outcome of my professional ruminations, so I could…
Leaving regret behind / Christian Science Sentinel
I found that looking back continually to what had been—especially revisiting and holding on to the wrongs—was preventing me from gaining in my understanding and demonstration of spiritual freedom and progress.
Cold symptoms and stress healed in the warmth of Love / Christian Science Sentinel
During the forty-five minutes or so of letting my thinking be washed clean by divine Love, I forgot all about the cold.
Read online, listen to, or purchase the book that has brought a new sense of life and purpose to thousands: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
