Miracles News

April-June, 2005

Trusting God Assures a Happy Outcome

by Revs. Deb & Paul Phelps

Revs. Deb & Paul Phelps Does your life seem to present an endless series of problems? Are you experiencing struggles and conflicts at work, at home and in your personal relationships? Have you asked yourself, “Why does it seem so difficult to figure out how to live a simple, peaceful and happy life?” We are going to discuss what is really going on behind the scenes and how to apply the real solution in our lives.

When we chose to come here we wanted to experience individuality. We chose the ego’s false definition of reality and learned to place our trust in everything the world had to offer. This world is like an ego carnival of rides where we jump on one thrill seeking ride after another until we get tired of it. We thought that accomplishing these ego goals would bring us happiness.

To achieve these goals, we scheme and plan to get what we want. If we do not get our way, we become quick to blame others, blame God and sometimes take the step to blame ourselves. We want the outcome to be sure because we think we know what is in our best interest. We want our plan to work because we think we are alone. And because we think that we are on our own, we try to control every little detail of how to achieve the goal. We wrap our fists around it so tightly that nothing can escape our grasp. We are terrified to loosen our grip because to do so means to surrender our control to that of a Divine Source, and acknowledge that there is something greater than our individual selves.

In releasing the idea of control, we place our future outcomes in the hands of God and come to know our True Identity. We release the past, present and future to Him. Only He knows what is in our own best interest. In ACIM Workbook Lesson 194, “I place the future in the Hands of God,” we are told: “Accept today’s idea, and you have passed all anxiety, all pits of hell, all blackness of depression, thoughts of sin, and devastation brought about by guilt. Accept today’s idea, and you have released the world from all imprisonment by loosening the heavy chains that locked the door to freedom on it. You are saved, and your salvation thus becomes the gift you give the world, because you have received.” (W-194.2:1-3)

We may think we know the future and what is best for us but, in truth, we do not. In thinking we know, we lead ourselves astray and eventually to pain. We unwittingly present ourselves with the same lessons over and over again. Eventually, we come to a place where the pain is so great that we want to stop the world and get off the merry-go-round.

If we were to take the time to take all our problems to the Holy Spirit, we would discover that He knows a better way and He wants us to be happy. As we practice asking and receiving His Guidance, we find that the experience of our lives in the world becomes happier, more joyful and more peaceful. As we see this occurring, our desire to receive these gifts grows. In Text, Chapter 20, Section IV, Jesus comments on the idea of accepting the peace of the Holy Spirit’s plan:

“You may wonder how you can be at peace when, while you are in time, there is so much that must be done before the way to peace is open. Perhaps this seems impossible to you. But ask yourself if it is possible that God would have a plan for your salvation that does not work. Once you accept His plan as the one function that you would fulfill, there will be nothing else the Holy Spirit will not arrange for you without your effort.” (T-20.IV.8:1-4)

The following is an example of how this has recently worked in our lives. Paul was in a situation where he had financial obligations that needed to be met but the income needed to meet them seemed to be nowhere in sight. Of course this was concerning him, so he went into quiet meditation and asked the Holy Spirit, “What are we going to do? How are we going to deal with this? What is your plan for me? Please show me in a way in which I will have no doubt.” We then waited for His answer.

The next morning, which was a Saturday, we got up with no plans for the day. We went to Holy Spirit and asked what He would have us do that day. He said to Deb, “You will know when you get there.” And to Paul, “Go west.” And so we did. We began doing just as He instructed. No maps and no plan. We got in the car and just drove west. This was the beginning to what was to become an amazing day of miracles that happened one right after another. Four hours later Paul was being interviewed for the perfect part time job for his situation. He later was offered the job and gratefully accepted. Holy Spirit’s journey for us that day ended with a fun movie, joy, excitement, enthusiasm, amazement, and gratitude for what had occurred that day. We could not have planned it better ourselves.

Now let all of us imagine for a moment what our lives would be like if we practiced asking, receiving and trusting Holy Spirit’s guidance all of the time. The Holy Spirit wants us to be happy and joyful all of the time, and He will give it to us if we just ask and then trust in Him.

“Say to the Holy Spirit only, ‘Decide for me,’ and it is done. For His decisions are reflections of what God knows about you, and in this light, error of any kind becomes impossible. Why would you struggle so frantically to anticipate all you cannot know, when all knowledge lies behind every decision the Holy Spirit makes for you? Learn of His wisdom and His Love, and teach His answer to everyone who struggles in the dark. For you decide for them and for yourself.” (T-14.III.16:1-5)

In finding peace, we begin to surrender to God more and more. We begin to trust that God will lead us to where we need to go. We begin to have faith that all the obstacles will be removed from our way. Holding onto outcomes loses its meaning. We commence everything that we now do with a sense of holy purpose. Asking appropriately, “What is it for? What do I want to come of this?” This is allowing doubt to disappear and to fully realize the life we have in God.

God only gives of Himself. We have learned that in the world to give is giving up or sacrificing. Giving our trust to God could be perceived as sacrificing everything that we desire or want. When it comes down to it, what is it that we truly want? Is it not peace and a quiet mind? Letting go of the world answers that question for us. God has never lied to us about our true worth. We need to realize that it has been the ego that has deceived us. The ego wishes only our distraction from God. In trusting God, we are stepping back and allowing His lead to bring us to where we need to be. We are safe as our feet are set along the path with Him.

“Now are we saved indeed. For in God’s Hands we rest untroubled, sure that only good can come to us. If we forget, we will be gently reassured.” (W-194.9:2-4)

Our trust does increase each time we take the time to turn to the Holy Spirit. We practice this by quieting our minds, stilling our thoughts and waiting to receive His direction. In accessing the Holy Spirit’s wisdom more and more, we begin to want that peace of mind as well. It is up to us then to continue to be mindful and to continue to demonstrate that we are not the ego. The ego does not love us. We simply withdraw allegiance to it. Our allegiance to it is what seems to give it power. The only power that is true is the undeniable Divine power within.

“You have very little trust in me as yet, but it will increase as you turn more and more often to me instead of to your ego for guidance. The results will convince you increasingly that this choice is the only sane one you can make. No one who learns from experience that one choice brings peace and joy while another brings chaos and disaster needs additional convincing.” (T-4.VI.3:1-3)

In continuing the practice of vigilance, the Holy Spirit sees and recognizes that you truly want to be guided solely by Him. In listening to His Voice, you realize that He alone has the answer. Trust is increased each time we listen. The Holy Spirit does not bargain; there is no sacrifice. He alone respects our choices.

Very simply, trusting in the ego’s plan brings pain. Trusting in God’s plan brings joy. And I can ask myself, “Which do I want today?”

We surrender to Him for only He knows the way to true happiness. We have believed that happiness lies in the things of the world, the bodies, the places, the trinkets and toys. All have failed us. Today, say to yourself, “I can choose to listen to His Voice above all others. I can choose to begin again to trust in the One Who knows what is best for me. I can believe in the Kingdom of Heaven and that I do belong there. It is my inheritance and it is my joy.” We can do this. We can release the outcome to anything that comes into our lives. All situations are opportunities for us to practice returning to the Holy Spirit and placing all thoughts into His loving hands. Release all to Him. We soon find that a happy outcome to all things is sure.

Revs. Deb and Paul Frantz live at the Pathways of Light Center in Kiel, Wisconsin

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