Separate what you can change from what you cannot

Think of one situation that is disturbing your peace, weakening your hope or making you feel overwhelmed.

Take a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle, dividing it into two sections:

• what I can change
• what I cannot control

In the first section, write down anything you can genuinely do. This might include asking for help, having a conversation, gathering information, setting a boundary, resting or completing one necessary task.

In the second section, write down what is outside your control. This may include another person’s choices, something that has already happened, an uncertain outcome or a problem that cannot be solved today.

Then choose one small action from the first section and decide when you will take it. You do not need to solve everything. Focus only on the next useful step.

You might then pray:

“God, help me act where I can, accept what I cannot control and trust you with what I cannot yet resolve. Give me hope, peace and strength for the next step.”