Finding Relief Through Release

I grew up with the adage “God helps those who help themselves.” Taking responsibility for solving my problems felt like duty. I was certain I could persevere with any challenge if I gave it intense study and deep reflection. I thought making sense of all the information I researched and the advice I received was my responsibility alone. If I was struggling or suffering, I didn’t feel I had done my part to help myself unless I first understood what was wrong and why it was happening. But after having chronic insomnia for more than 30 years and exhausting a list of therapists and remedies that gave little relief, I knew something had to change.

A cure eluded me. Grappling with years of treatments, prescriptions, products, and techniques, I thought I would discover a treatment that worked. My personal journals documented decades of my sleep journey, detailing complaints of fatigue, frustration, and anger. I despised waking up drained, annoyed, and bewildered. Not sleeping well for so long impaired my mental health and locked me in a prison of despair and shame.

“Rather than focus on the problem and my anxiety, I chose to relax, put faith in divine timing, and trust what would enfold. I made space for grace and knew relief was on its way.”

Letting Go of My Story

About to abandon hope, I sought out a spiritual friend who advised, “Let go of your story and connect with God.” That suggestion seemed so at odds with my healing strategy that I couldn’t accept the idea at first. Wouldn’t letting go mean putting a burden on God? Much to my chagrin, my friend didn’t give me actual instructions for the task. How was I supposed to make that connection and be healed?

Pondering that question, I realized my misery had brought me growth and led me forward to my own good. My deep desire to free myself from the bondage of negative and limited thinking opened me to the process of greater discovery. I allowed myself more space for attuning to my inner teacher. That teacher was always within me; I just needed to sit, listen, and trust it. As I prayed for new direction, I remembered I had an excellent resource at my disposal—my morning companion, Daily Word. The daily messages provided me with gentle reminders for realizing wholeness and becoming more peaceful, such as, “All the qualities of God are part of my divine inheritance.” The guidance I found in its pages had finally penetrated beyond my intellect and integrated into the knowing of my heart.

Making Space for Grace

Now I understood the value of getting out of my own way and surrendering my effort to fix my problem. Giving up the desire to understand the cause of my suffering, I forgave myself for not getting it right. By shifting energy to my innate wisdom, I released my story of feeling stuck, confused, and helpless. Rather than focus on the problem and my anxiety, I chose to relax, put faith in divine timing, and trust what would enfold. I made space for grace and knew relief was on its way.

Opening to not knowing and letting go of my need for control were life-changers. These practices brought me the comfort and restorative rest that evaded me for so long. To listen for and trust the answers from my heart, to accept what comes, to acknowledge I can’t control life, only my choices—that is the story I will keep. It will sustain me when I feel needy or lost. When I bind myself to the limitations of my thinking, I will remember to release, surrender, and welcome my healing.