4th Sunday 1/25/26:Clarity Over Control

The Power of Surrendered Focus in a World That Pulls at Your Attention

There is something quiet and clarifying about this fourth Sunday. A turning point of sorts. January is nearly complete, and I sense the soft shifting of pace—no longer rushing into the year, but now listening more deeply to what it wants to teach me.

This week reminded me that clarity is not the same as control. Clarity is knowing who I am and what matters most. Control is the illusion that everything around me must bend to my expectations. “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be” (Lao Tzu, as cited in Tzu, 2006, p. 56).

The Cycle of Strength and Surrender

In times of uncertainty, we often look for external anchors—people, systems, guarantees. But history reminds us that true strength begins within. And when strength falters, so does stability. “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And weak men create hard times” (Hopf, 2013, p. 98). The quote by G. Michael Hopf strikes a sobering chord. It speaks to a collective cycle—but it also reflects a personal truth. When I neglect my inner strength, I open the door to confusion and chaos. When I avoid discomfort, I sacrifice resilience. This is why surrender must not be mistaken for weakness.

Vision Without Attachment

It is important to dream, to set intentions, to hold a vision of what is possible. But the moment we cling too tightly, we begin to suffer. We move from peace to pressure. From awareness to anxiety. “Surrender is the simple but profound wisdom of yielding to rather than opposing the flow of life” (Tolle, 2004, p. 171). Surrender is not about silence or stillness—it is about strategic softness. Letting go of what does not serve, while holding firm to what does> “Surrender is not about giving up anything. It is about letting go of what is no longer real or useful” (Vanzant, 2010, p. 142).

This Week, I Choose to Trust

Though I may not be able to predict what tomorrow holds, I can choose to stay grounded in the present. I can trust that clarity, not control, is my truest guide. “I release the need to control every detail. I choose clarity over control. I trust the unfolding.”

Reflection Prompts for You:

• Where are you clinging to control out of fear or habit?

• What truth do you need to let go of to grow?

• How might surrender lead you into strength?

References

Hopf, G. M. (2013). Those who remain (The New World Series, Book 2). GMichael Hopf.

Tolle, E. (2004). The power of now: A guide to spiritual enlightenment. New World Library.

Tzu, L. (2006). Tao Te Ching (J. Legge, Trans.). Filiquarian Publishing. (Original work published ca. 6th century BCE)

Vanzant, I. (2010). Peace from broken pieces: How to get through what you’re going through. SmileyBooks.