Finding Our Inner Faith
Updated: Sep 20
When life becomes challenging, our instinct is often to push harder. This reaction is understandable; society conditions us to believe that if something isn’t working, it’s because we’re not exerting enough effort. When we feel our lives unraveling, we assume we simply need to do more. In struggling relationships, we frantically attempt to restore harmony. If circumstances spiral beyond our control, we may panic, striving to fix what we cannot change. Although our intentions are rooted in a desire to make things right, this approach frequently fails because it stems from a place of fear rather than peace.
When fear takes the reins, we enter a fight-or-flight state, activating the primitive parts of our brain that are designed for survival. While this response is useful in real danger, it hinders our ability to think creatively and solve problems. Accessing the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for higher-level thinking, requires a calm and collected mindset. In situations that are beyond our control, rather than getting caught in a cycle of anxiety, we must learn to let go and return to a state of peace.
As Martha Beck wisely states, "It’s when you surrender to falling apart, and fall forward instead, that love catches you and miracles begin to happen." Although the act of surrendering can feel daunting—relinquishing our need for control and finding peace seems almost insurmountable—I've discovered that when I yield to the situation, acknowledging that perhaps there is a reason for it all, I begin to cultivate faith that everything will be okay, and this brings me a sense of peace.
As we age and accumulate experiences, we learn to tap into this inner tranquility. Often, it takes reaching a point of exhaustion from relentless striving to recognize that it’s time to pause. Instead of seeking external solutions or exerting more effort, we must find stillness and connect with that deep, quiet place within ourselves that reassures us that all is well.
It’s only when we surrender to the falling apart that the magic can truly begin.
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