Life in this world is filled with many heavy concerns, and it’s easy for our hearts to be weighed down by the many things not as they should be. And while we don’t want to put our head in the sand and ignore the important matters around us, there’s still wisdom in learning a benevolent detachment.
To be sure, we have a duty to bring more life and goodness into the world, and this often requires us to enter many dark and broken places – setting things right as best as we can. And this can be in big and small ways, for instance, our daily family drama, financial concerns, and job worries, or discord among friends, social tensions, and other global affairs. We have the responsibility to do good when it’s within our power to do so.
At the same time, this does not mean we must take on every concern we’re exposed to and attempt to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. And this is where benevolent detachment becomes our friend.
This detachment is not denial or running away from the problems we encounter. But it is wisely discerning what is ours to own, as we also remember to give all our worries and cares to God.
Our souls were never meant to carry every heartbreaking story shared around the world. God alone can give his infinite presence to each of these concerns. And even within the immediate realm of our influence, there’s still a time to pause and remember that God is God, and we are not. Benevolent detachment allows us to lay our burdens down as we rest in God’s loving presence. It’s often pride that keeps us worrying and not trusting in God’s sufficient grace for our lives.
Stay engaged and present as you address the many concerns of your life and relationships. And remember the wisdom of benevolent detachment – letting go of the need for control as you rest in God’s grace and presence.
Photo by César Abner Martínez Aguilar on Unsplash
