There’s a book called “Let Go” which features a series of letters written by Francois de Salignac de La Mothe Fenelon. Let’s just call him Fenelon from here on. He was the Archbishop of Cambrai, France, during the seventeenth century and a well-respected spiritual advisor.

A good friend of mine shared a copy of Fenelon’s work with me a week or so ago, following a spiritual chat over breakfast. It had been very helpful to him, and based on our conversation, he thought I would find value as well. He’s been right so far.

I’m a few weeks in as a small business owner. And business has been good early on. I have three clients with active projects, and several other opportunities that could come through soon. But I’ve noticed that building a business is really time consuming. Yeah, I know. What a surprise! I have also noticed that I live and die each day based on how the business is going. If I get good news, or something goes right, I feel good. If something throws me off course or doesn’t go as planned, I feel bad.

I’ve also noticed that while it’s really physically demanding to start a new business, it’s mentally overwhelming if you let it be. You think about it constantly, running things through the back of your mind no matter what you’re focused on at the moment. You worry, you scheme, you dream about it. It can take over everything before you know it, preventing you from being present with your family, friends, even – or should I say, especially – God.

Letting go is obviously a big issue with me. Luckily, I’m reading a book on how to do it. Perfect timing, God.

In one of the first letters of the book, Fenelon had this conversation with me:

Fenelon: “Haven’t you yet learned that the strivings of the human mind not only impair the health of your body, but also bring dryness to the soul?”

Me: “Well, yeah, I guess that makes sense.”

Fenelon: “Do you think God can speak in soft tender accents that melt the soul, in the midst of such inner confusion as you permit by that endless, hurrying parade of thoughts going through your mind?”

Me: “Well, I suppose not.”

Fenelon: “Be quiet, and He will soon be heard.”

Me: “So, I hear ya. But that’s not as easy as it sounds.”

The letter encourages peace through simplicity and obedience. Suggesting that peace is quickly destroyed by  a restless mind. And that inner striving can consume you. He’s got a great point, because this all has been true for me. Just as I’ve declared that I’m finally taking action and moving into what God has for me, I’ve engaged in so much inner striving, so many hurrying parades of thoughts that I’ve not been still in a very long time. I’ve not posted on this blog. I’ve not meditated with God. I’ve not regularly prayed to hear from Him. I’ve been working furiously to make everything make sense. Getting adrenaline and affirmation from successes and crippling anxiety and worry from defeats. I go high, I go low, and I keep running right past the happy medium that lies in being at peace with God.

So my prayer is that I can get better at letting go. That I can be still and hear God. That I can release the pressure and expectations I’m placing on myself and allow God to work through the gifts He’s given me and the opportunities He brings my way. That’s going to be tough!