Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Letting go isn’t a strength for me. I grasp worry, examining the issue from every angle-turning them over and over and over in my mind. Maybe I’m hoping for a solution but what inevitably happens is anxiety. Tight chest, racing heart, confusing thoughts. Most of the time I can deal with the anxiety. I’ve learned coping mechanisms over the years, stopping to whisper a prayer, saying memory verses out loud, having a quiet day…baking. I’ve been doing a lot of baking lately.
But there have been times when life overwhelms. Maybe it’s circumstances. Maybe it’s brain chemicals or hormones.
Nevertheless, at those times I need help letting go of the worry and anxiety.
Last week I was in a vicious cycle like that.Talking to my life long friend Julie, I asked her to pray for me to have peace, she said:
“You have to let go. Try this: picture a red balloon in your fist. Tie the worries to your balloon, tell God you trust Him with all of them.
Now let go of the balloon…and the worries”
I heard a smile in her voice as she finished, “Oh, and it has to be a red balloon, only the red ones make it to heaven.”
Since then I’ve paused twenty times a day and pictured my fist un-clinching, as I let go of a chubby red balloon with a long list of worries attached.
Sunday, at the grocery store, I got a red balloon. I wanted to physically go through the motion of opening my hand and letting go.
I did.
I let go and as I watched that red balloon float lazy toward heaven I thanked God for hearing me and for being big enough to handle whatever worries that today brings.
***
Is there something that’s causing you anxiety today?
Tie it to a red balloon, open your hand and let go.
God’s got this.
~Saying a prayer for your peace my sweet friends~
Perfect post.
Marty, thank you my friend xo
Smiling through my tears.
Julie, thank you for being ‘my person’ xoxo
What a dear friend you have to be there for you. Such a lovely idea….Red balloons….I like that!
Lisa, it helps so much to have someone remind me of truth when I’m in a spiral…xo
Thanks….The arrow of truth went right to my heart…
Doreen, sending love my friend
Great post Robin. I like your comment God’s got this! We just have to let it go and give it to him. Thanks~
Love you~
Brenda, you’re such a great example of letting go and trusting…love u too
Love it! Physically acting has power doesn’t it?! What a great friend you have with such great advice! Julie was right, the red one made it to heaven. Blessings and release.
Tom, Physically holding the balloon and then letting it go was powerful …Blessings to you to Friend
Let go and let God. It sounds so easy, doesn’t it? Yet, I too struggle the same as you, Robin. So, I love this idea that Julie gave to you using red balloons. Physically letting the red balloon go, gives you the ability to actually see all your worries going to God. Love this!
Eileen, It does sound easy but for some of us it’s oooohhhhhh so hard 🙂
xoxo
This is a great idea! Especially to physically let go of the balloon as a reminder for yourself. I can honestly say I do not struggle with worry (I know how fortunate I am!!) but this exercise of visually letting go of the balloon can be for anything…hurt feelings, bitterness, unforgiveness or whatever. We discussed “letting it go” in Sunday School a few months ago and I have uttered the phrase “let it go” many times since then. We all struggle in certain areas of our lives and truly “letting it go” and giving it to God is the key to peace!!! 🙂 Prayers for His peace for you Robin!! 😉
Gina…oh Gina! I love love love that you don’t struggle with worry! My oldest daughter Bethany told me that same thing recently. She said it just wasn’t how she was wired…I love people like the two of you !!! 🙂 xoxo
Splendid- truly love the idea and the fact that you bought a balloon and released it. I hope you felt a release of your worries as well. I will certainly pray for release from your worries as well- they can be so hindering to our health and well being.
Love and blessings to you! Love this!!
Vicky thank you for your prayers Honey…xo
julie comes up with great visuals! thanks for sharing. done any more contemplating of what the desires of your heart would be?
Jenn, Julie really knows how visual I am 🙂
I have done some thinking about it… xo
Your posts touch me on a regular basis. Thanks for sharing!
Karen, I’m so humbled that you get something from visiting here…sending love
Oh, Robin, what great words of wisdom. God has been so dear in my life and I do have faith He knows all my fears and worries. BUT, I keep taking my worries back. . .I needed this visual to let GO of them. Blessings to you!!!
May God bless you abundantly for posting this inspiring post, Robin. I know that it will truly touch the heart and soul of every single person who reads it…..and understands. ?
xoxo laurie
I just love your posts. You make my heart smile. Thank you. This is definitely your ministry, thank you for being such a encourging faithful servant for Christ.
Jenna 🙂 <3
Jenna, thank you Honey- you have encouraged me today -sending you love xo
I was randomly searching for blog link-ups today and stumbled upon your blog. I’m going through almost more than I can handle right now in my life and this post spoke directly to my heart. I’m typing this through tears and believe that God sent me to you today. Thanks for the encouragement! God bless you! xo
Nicole, saying a prayer for you Dear One…that God would comfort you and bring you to a place of peace. sending love