Control.
I have to admit, I like it.
Just the other day, when I went to the gym, the stair masters that I normally use were all taken. I saw a friend on a machine I’d never tried, and I hopped up next to her.
“What level do you usually do?†I asked, not familiar with the buttons. “Does it have a manual setting?†I looked at her and laughed. “Because I like to be in control!â€
And as I worked out, I thought about just how true that is.
The same way I like to be able to push the buttons on the workout machines (instead of having them shift levels without ME telling them to), I like to be able to control what happens in my life.
I like to plan, execute the plan, and get expected results.
It’s an area that I need to work on, actually. And it’s an area that God constantly helps me with.
How many of you do what I do?…
Give control of your life to God.
Take it back.
Give control to Him again.
Take it back.
Give it.
Take it.
Give it.
Take it.
You get the point, right?
But the good news is, no matter how many times we hold too tightly onto our own plans and “forget†that God’s in control, He still is.
And that changes everything, doesn’t it?
He’s got our present.
He’s got our future.
He’s got our kids.
He’s got our husbands.
He’s got our friends and families.
Even if things may not be perfect for you right now, and even if it may not seem like God’s intervening in certain situations, you can be sure that nothing is a surprise to him. That He knows the end result. And you can trust Him.
I’ve quoted Jeremiah 29:11 before, but I have to quote it again. Because it’s so powerful and can bring such peace…
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.â€
Prosper.
Not harm.
Hope.
Future.
Those aren’t empty phrases.
Those are the promises of an Almighty God.
Our plan for our lives may not be the same as His plan.
But when we learn to relinquish control, we can begin to feel the peace that “letting go and letting God†can truly offer.
Great post Genny. There really are echoes of the same idea between the two of us this week, isn’t there? I appreciate your reminder too.
Great post!!! I usually only catch myself trying to be in control in hindsite…so I have to play catch up and repent. Oh how to stop it in the moment!!!
Many blessings-
Amanda
HOw perfectly perfect for me today. Got soooooo much on my plate, and though I serve all of it over to God, I still fret about how to get it all done. And I’m pretty sure God doesn’t want my leftovers. I think most people deal with this in some way, shape or form, so I pray this post gets straight to heart of many, convincing them the way it did me.
Genny –
I could have written this column. I too am a total control freak. One of the toughest things for me is turning a situation over to God. I tend to push aside the fact that He is in control of EVERYTHING in my life. It is completely out of my hands and there is no point in trying to control it myself.
This is a hard lesson but I’m slowly (very slowly) learning. *sigh* Thank you so much for confirming His ways.
I am a perpetual recovering control freak.
I come from a long line of controlling human beings.
When my oldest started driving (one of my greatest fears as a mother) I realized there is nothing I can do.
Slowly He is taking my controlling nature and turning it into a life of prayer.
Great post Genny…
Joanne
p.s. when we finally grab that cup of coffee, I will try and let you order for yourself.
WoW! I don’t remember meeting you but man do you know me! I am so glad I read this today~ just perfect! Thank you.
How true is this! I am right there with you girl, giving and taking, giving and taking over and over again. For me, worry goes hand in hand with control. I continually worry about everything, big and small alike, which spirals me into the inevitable give and take relationship with God. I want things to go well and to go right and I catch myself thinking that the only way they possibly could is for me to grab hold and control each situation. God is always gracious. He continually reminds me that He has made each day, not to fear, not to be anxious, not to worry about tomorrow and that He IS in control. Thanks for today’s nudge! 🙂
Thanks for the reminder that He is still actively working behind the scenes even when I can’t SEE that. 🙂 This was a timely reminder for me. Blessings!
This is SO me and it is SO hard to let go of control!!! I know many times He has sat quietly on the sidelines and let me have at it!! So that when I get tackled, He can run in and rescue and assure me that He could have had it all that time, if I’d just let Him!
AMEN!!!!