Yielding Control
I have always been someone who likes to be in control. I like to know what is around the bend and plan every detail to make it come out the way I perceive it should be. That is not God’s plan or way for us as His children.
Over the years, I have been learning how to release control. God has allowed many events in my life to teach me how to let go and allow Him to control my life and bring about His plans. He has taught me that there is a big difference between self-control and being in control. Either one, a person can get lost in.
Self-control is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galations 5: 22-24 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 2 Peter 1: 5-7 says, “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” God is the giver of self-control. We can’t exhibit self-control without Him.
Being in control means that I am in charge. My way is THE way. People who are controlling are most often focused on themselves, are quite insensitive towards others, and work hard to push for their own agenda. For years, I was lost in the need to be in control. I had to figure everything out and make sure to do what was necessary to be in control of every area of my life. I tried to control my husband, our son, my daughters, my work, my career, my Christian walk, my family and my friends. Nothing was off limits. When I went through some serious events in my life, God unveiled the sickening truths about trying to be “in control” and how this action destroys people, events, blessings, and relationships. He spoke truths from His word that showed how very sinful this behavior is.
In Matthew 16:22-23 we see Peter trying to control Jesus and the situation and the Lord’s response to it. The scripture says, “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” When we are trying to control a person or action we are setting our minds on our interests and not on God’s interests.
Today, my prayer is that I will yield control in all areas to my precious God and allow Him to bring forth His plan in the way He originally designed it to be. Will you join me in this prayer?
