Yesterday, we talked about how living with integrity helps us to have less worrisome and more peaceful lives. Today, I want to share with you a third and final thing you can do to keep your days free from stress and worry: abandon the outcomes to God.

Webster’s dictionary defines abandon as “to give up with the intent of never again claiming a right or interest in.” That may sound a little scary when we think about our lives, but the truth is that we don’t abandon our goals or our dreams. We never give up on our hopes, nor do we stop working hard to get to where we want to be. We do, however, give up our right to take ownership of the outcomes. As we live from day-to-day and do the very best we can, we trust that the Lord will work in and through our efforts to accomplish His plan and purpose. In essence, we do our part and we believe that He will do His. He will work things out for His good pleasure and what results will always be be in accordance with the love and goodness that define Him.

As we let go of our need to control the outcomes in our lives, we are freed from the worry and anxiety that accompany our desire to prove ourselves. We can trust Him because He holds us in His loving arms and gently guards all of our hopes and dreams. Isn’t that good news?