Letting Go of Control

Control has been the number one hindrance within my relationship with God. I always feel this pull to be in control of something in my life even if it is the smallest amount of control. Control for me comes in many forms, even when I feel like I've given it all to God I still find myself grasping onto something in my life. It happens in the most subtle ways, like over-cleaning my house or managing my children's day in a way that seems impossible to upkeep. I know it sounds silly, but even small amounts of control can create a barrier between us and God. Then there is control over the major things in life. Prayer requests we are waiting to be answered, financial hardships, healing, salvation for friends and family, the list goes on. We pray, we have faith and we wait. It is in the waiting where control makes its way into our hearts. We get impatient and we try to speed things up, we attempt to create solutions to problems, and we even get angry with God for not doing what we desire when we desire it.

Colossians 1:16-17 says "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. We are told here and throughout the Bible that God is and always will be in control, so why do we try to do His job? It's because having a sense of control feels good; it makes sense in our human minds, but it never truly resolves anything. When we feel like we are in control, we feel less vulnerable in life, less disappointed, and receive a false sense of peace that is surely fleeting.

When we seek to control:

1. We rely on our understanding (which creates confusion) instead of trusting in the Lord. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

2. We create a pattern of anxiety. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" - Matthew 6:22

3. We lose faith in the Lord. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:7-8

When we release control:

1. We receive peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27

2. We gain strength and are renewed through the Lord. "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10

3. We receive spiritual rest. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I want to encourage you (and myself) today to ask God to search your heart and reveal all of the areas that you are grasping onto. Ask Him to help you release control so He can freely move in those areas of your life.

Prayer:

Lord, give your children the courage and strength to seek you today with an open heart to release anything that we are seeking to control. Please show us the areas that we need to give to you, and please give us your perfect peace as we release these things. We trust your perfect plans for our lives and thank you for your everlasting grace.