Untethered

A thought occurred to me today as I was clenching my jaw while overthinking a current problem I'm working through.

This issue, as most do, involves another person whom (big shock coming) I have zero control over.

In my overthinking and scenario scripting, I keep playing out the ideal outcome that would bring me peace and joy.

The outcome that, to clarify once more, I have no control over.

But, I tether to that outcome nonetheless.

So there I am, tethered nice and secure, and to ensure my plan works, I contemplate using some of my tried and true (not really) tactics:

I could be passive-aggressive and try to nudge my sage advice in.

I could nag.

I could "encourage".

I could manipulate.

I could pray and beg and plead.

And what if, despite my helpful advances, "they" don't stick to the script I have written so perfectly?

What then?

Is my relief and happiness tethered only to the outcome I have designed but cannot control?

The definition of tethered is " fastened or confined with a rope, chain, or the like to limit the range of movement."

Yep. That makes sense.

When I find myself tethered to people or things outside my control, I feel like a panic-ridden octopus with a ridiculous amount of slimy tentacles suctioned and tethered to all sorts of stuff.

When that happens, I can't move. I get stuck (haha) in obsessive thinking, panic, and fear, looking like an overstretched, slimy octopus.

And guess what, if I can't move, neither can the people or things I'm tethered to.

In my effort to help, I'm starting to realize that I could be causing more harm than good.

All my fearful and icky energy isn't just affecting me; it's affecting my prey, too.

Prey? That could be a bit harsh, but there may be some nugget of truth there.

In my effort to help, I actually may be blocking the ability of others to figure it out and let things work out as they will, maybe even better than I imagined.

Ewe, I don't like that.

I need some kind of alarm system that goes off when my praying and helping enter into a co-dependent state of tethering.

Warning, Warning. Do not engage the tethering. I repeat, do not engage.

And I mean, seriously, think of all I could get done with all those arms I'd have available!

Perhaps I should get back to work and keep my arms to myself.

That is, of course, with the exception of at least two of my arms (remember, I'm a multi-tentacled octopus in this scenario), which I have now re-tethered around God's neck.

I'm locked and loaded to let Him take it - and me - from here.

Off I go now; so much to do with all these free arms.

Philippians 4: 6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5: 6-7

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

Psalm 139: 23-24

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.