How often do you feel stuck in a situation and build resentment and anger toward someone or about whatever is going on around you? You may start repeating thoughts or events in your head over and over. This, in return, makes you more and more fearful or angry. Or, you may feel helpless, thinking there’s nothing you can do about whatever is happening.

This is the time when you need to go deeper and examine to see why you feel the way you do. What’s triggering that fear or anxiety, or helplessness? Is it really because of what is happening, is it because someone said or did something, or is your mind creating a fearful situation that doesn’t have basis?

Eckhart Tolle teaches that the best way to avoid fear and anxiety is to stay in the “now” and focus on what our blessings are at the present moment. I am sure you have heard many times the saying that “no one or nothing can make you angry or upset without your consent.” Though it can be hard to practice, this is very true because it’s not what’s happening around us, but how we react to the situation that makes a huge difference. No matter what’s going on, no matter who says what, we need to stay true to ourselves, rooted in our faith and trust in the Lord. When the fear of “what ifs” take over, for example: “What if I get sick?” “What if I lose my job?” “What if I don’t have enough money in retirement?” “What if I lose my home?” etc., we must shake these off and take charge of our thoughts. Our “what if” scenarios can go on and on, taking over our lives and creating a ripple effect of anxiety and unnecessary worry. If there’s anything at all we can do to help the existing situation, by all means, we need to take action. But, if the “what if” scenarios are all in our head, we must stop ourselves going down that deep black hole and start to think positive thoughts instead. And, if there’s nothing we can do to control the situation, resisting, worrying and creating anxiety will not solve anything either. On the contrary, we will only make things harder and worse. It is what it is. All we can do is take control of our feelings and emotions and trust that “this too shall pass” eventually.

Surrendering to the situation allows peace into our lives. It helps us make decisions using a clear mind instead of coming from a place of fear and anxiety. Surrendering does not mean giving up. It only means that we accept what is and stay focused in the ‘now’ instead of panicking about what may be.

Stay true to yourself. Take charge of your thoughts. Create a positive and peaceful state of mind where you can become the master of your thoughts and life.