Let Go and Let God

How may times have we repeated these words silently to ourselves? Or, we have advised others to "Let Go and Let God?" It's easier to stand outside of a crisis, then to be in one, don't you think? A crisis can consume us. I find it interesting, when we advise others to "Let Go and Let God" many times we cannot do this for ourselves, unless we've done extensive spiritual work.

It's taken years for me to understand how the crisis process works. I've had many crisis situations to navigate through. There was a huge crisis that literally brought me to my knees 27 years ago-- My 3 1/2 year old son was run over by a semi truck driven by one of our employees. Joseph had severe, life threatening injuries and was hospitalized for almost a month.

During his stay, he contacted staph infection and almost died a second time. If that wasn't enough, Joseph had to spend 2 weeks at Children's Hospital in San Francisco, a few months later for a major surgery. There was a 12 year old who died in his room of heart failure. Also, a 6 year old dying of cancer. His family never showed up to support him. This was heart breaking for me to witness. Another mom and I took turns comforting this very ill child, along with our own. I've never observed so many ill children in my entire life. I had no crisis skills back then. I didn't know how to "Let Go and Let God." Two years later, I fell a part. I held the dramatic experience inside. I now know I had PTSD. It took me a few more very challenging years to work through all the feelings and health issues I created. It was a huge wake up call for me to begin my spiritual journey.

Once in a while, I find myself in that lower mindset whirlwind, when I'm in a crisis situation. The key I uncovered, to not allow crisis get a hold of me again. Yes, we must go through the necessary stages. One, could be shock. Another, grief. But there's a time to move through these stages. I've known people to stay in grief for years. It literally strangles every part of their lives. Even within the necessary stages, we can still feel a deep connection to God.

When a crisis gets a hold of me now, I have this aching feeling of disconnection. So, it's a HUGE wake up call to assist me to get back to that safe and holy place. If I feel connected, I handle crisis differently.

There are two realities humans experience on this earth. Fear and Love. Fear encompasses, sadness, worry, anger, jealousy, on and on. Love encompasses, joy, peace, happiness, forgiveness, etc. There's a small percentage of humans who have mastered staying in the LOVE reality but most have not. When we're feeling a disconnect from our source, we begin to fall into the subtitles of fear. So, for example, when I got worried in the past, I would feel this terrible aching sensation in my stomach. Sometimes I would get a little dizzy and a few times, it made me physically ill. This is a clear sign to step back and take notice! How I reconnect, I take walks, meditate, pray. Gratitude also is a practice I've incorporated.

Sometimes I call one of my spiritual friends to just talk it out. There are those you can call that are very supportive, and then, there are others who make matters worse. There are those who don't know what to do, or say, as they've not done the necessary work. They handle all feelings by shoving them under that old dusty carpet and it eventually comes out through health issues, or in other indirect ways. I find there's a need during a crisis to unwind from the craziness, to get to that sacred place again. So, supportive family and friends can be gifts.

I have an assignment for you....The next time crisis shows it's weary head, if you don't have a tool to help you, use the above method and see what unfolds.

Let Go and Let God,
Cynthia M.Long