How Do We Let Go of Control? (with Sr. Josephine Garrett)
Feb 27, 2025
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Sister Josephine Garrett, a thoughtful Catholic sister, joins Father Josh to unravel the complexities of pride and its impact on our lives. They discuss how pride can lead to a false sense of control and the importance of self-reflection. Listeners are encouraged to embrace God’s guidance, especially when expectations don't align with reality. The conversation also emphasizes the need to surrender control and trust in divine timing, enhancing personal spiritual journeys through prayer and community resilience.
Pride, as a sin of self-exaltation, hinders spiritual growth by creating a barrier between individuals and their relationship with God.
Letting go of control through surrendering to God's will fosters peace and enables a deeper understanding of life's unpredictable journey.
Deep dives
Understanding Pride
Pride is characterized as a disordered self-love or an irrational desire for self-exaltation, manifesting when one prioritizes personal desires over love for others and God. It can present itself in various contexts, such as when individuals believe they know better than the teachings of the Church or fail to recognize the limits of their understanding. This attitude of self-superiority not only leads to strife within communities but can also inhibit spiritual growth and a true relationship with God. Recognizing pride as a prevalent vice is essential, as its acknowledgment is the first step towards combating its influence in our lives.
The Illusion of Control
The illusion of control often can cloud judgment and create unnecessary anxiety, particularly when faced with challenging life circumstances. One perspective emphasizes that individuals may feel the need to dictate the course of their lives, only to discover that they have limited control over events. Surrendering to God's will is framed as an act of faith and trust, where one learns to let go of rigid expectations and embrace a more flexible approach to life's outcomes. Ultimately, this surrender can lead to spiritual peace and a deeper understanding of God's greater plan.
The Beauty of Small Beginnings
Experiences of small beginnings can often yield significant spiritual fruits, as illustrated by a story of a parishioner leading a modest Bible study that transformed lives despite its size. This woman initially felt discouraged by the small attendance, but the intimate nature of the group allowed for profound connections and ultimately led one participant to convert to Catholicism. This narrative highlights the importance of humility and the willingness to embrace God's plans, even when they diverge from personal expectations of success. By expanding one's view of what constitutes meaningful impact, individuals can better appreciate their roles in God's broader mission.
Pride can mislead us into believing we are the center of everything and that we have complete control. Sr. Josephine Garret joins Fr. Josh to discuss the sin of pride and its various expressions in our lives. They answer a question about relinquishing control in life, particularly when things do not go as we desire.
Snippet From the Show
We are finite, our intellect is fragile, our hearts are cloudy, and we need God's help to be purified.