Stop trying

I often joke that I am not good at anything, but I will try everything.
Snowboarding.
Kite surfing.
Racquetball.
Water skiing.
Shooting at a gun range.
Sky diving.
Aerial yoga.
Traveling solo cross-country.
And those poor people who’ve seen my Zumba skills! Lord help them.
Even crafting and baking.

Yep, I’ve tried all of those, but I am certainly not a master of any.
Not. A. Single. One.

But I believe that the mere act of trying signifies that I am open to new and exciting adventures including meeting new people and exploring new places.

But what’s frustrating is if I am attempting a new activity (especially for the first time) alongside of a seasoned veteran. They get so frustrated when I laugh at myself and am less than committed to mastering the sport or skill.

C’mon. Be serious, Fran. (Seriously?! Do they even know me?!)
You will get it if you just stop laughing.
Enough already.
Try harder.

Yikes.
That last one is by far the worst advice I have ever been given.
Try harder.

Now, before you get cray on me, let me explain, sunshine.

Of course I believe that trying activities repeatedly can lead to proficiency, unless you’ve been taught the wrong way and you’re perfecting improper form. That’s just insanity.

And of course, I believe that committing to things you’ve tried is hugely important for character building and basic human development. So many traits can be developed in the try-and-fail phases.

But all too often, people try to make things happen that are out of their control.
Bigger bank accounts.
The ideal job.
Easy parenting.
Perfect relationships.
Cancer-free diagnoses.

Of course, you can employ a healthy diet as prevention, business prowess to score a job, or communication skills to improve a relationship,  but truly these things require trust. Trust in God’s divine power that you’ve done your part, now it is time to release control and let Him do His. 

I often joke that I am not good at anything, but I will try everything.
Snowboarding.
Kite surfing.
Racquetball.
Water skiing.
Shooting at a gun range.
Sky diving.
Aerial yoga.
Traveling solo cross-country.
And those poor people who’ve seen my Zumba skills! Lord help them.
Even crafting and baking.

Yep, I’ve tried all of those, but I am certainly not a master of any.
Not. A. Single. One.

But I believe that the mere act of trying signifies that I am open to new and exciting adventures including meeting new people and exploring new places.

But what’s frustrating is if I am attempting a new activity (especially for the first time) alongside of a seasoned veteran. They get so frustrated when I laugh at myself and am less than committed to mastering the sport or skill.

C’mon. Be serious, Fran. (Seriously?! Do they even know me?!)
You will get it if you just stop laughing.
Enough already.
Try harder.

Yikes.
That last one is by far the worst advice I have ever been given.
Try harder.

Now, before you get cray on me, let me explain, sunshine.

Of course I believe that trying activities repeatedly can lead to proficiency, unless you’ve been taught the wrong way and you’re perfecting improper form. That’s just insanity.

And of course, I believe that committing to things you’ve tried is hugely important for character building and basic human development. So many traits can be developed in the try-and-fail phases.

But all too often, people try to make things happen that are out of their control.
Bigger bank accounts.
The ideal job.
Easy parenting.
Perfect relationships.
Cancer-free diagnoses.

Of course, you can employ a healthy diet as prevention, business prowess to score a job, or communication skills to improve a relationship,  but truly these things require trust. Trust in God’s divine power that you’ve done your part, now it is time to release control and let Him do His. 

In Joyce Meyer’s most recent NYT best-seller, Unshakeable Trust, she confirms this principle: “Trusting God is usually the missing ingredient in all of our failures. If we’ll trade all of our fleshly trying for more trusting in God, we’ll be amazed at the results.” So, is there something you are trying harder for, sunshine? Is there something you are afraid to surrender to God? Perhaps it’s time to stop trying and start trusting. His Word is filled with promises of how He wants to bless  you. Trust me, you will not regret giving up.

“…Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong— you want only what will give you pleasure.” James 4:2-3 “You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” John 16:24