You Can’t Control Everything...

I have a confession to make. I’m not controlling. I’m just... aggressively helpful. At least that’s what I like to tell myself. The truth is, most of us have something we’re always trying to control. It might be our schedule, our finances, our kids, our health, our future, or even what other people think about us.

Can I tell you something I’ve learned about myself? The things I try to control the most are usually the places I trust God the least. I don’t really like admitting that, but I think it’s true. When life starts to feel out of control, our first instinct is usually to tighten our grip. We make another plan. We worry a little more. We try to fix people. We replay conversations in our minds. We think that if I can just get this one thing under control, everything will be okay. Maybe that has worked for you? I just know it hasn’t for me.

One of my favorite moments in Scripture happens the night before Jesus went to the cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing exactly what was ahead, He prayed, “Father... not my will, but yours be done.” Think about that. If anyone had a reason to try to take control of the situation, it was Jesus. Instead, He chose surrender. That’s not the message our culture gives us. We’re told to take control of our lives and our futures, but Jesus keeps calling us back to surrender.

Now, that doesn’t mean we stop being responsible. There are things God has called us to do. We should work hard, keep our word, love our families, pay our bills, and do the right thing. But there are also things that belong to God. The truth is, I can’t guarantee my kids’ future, make someone love me, change another person’s heart, or make my life go exactly the way I planned. Don’t get me wrong, I have hurt myself trying, but some things are out of my hands. And maybe that’s exactly where God wants them.

One of my favorite Proverbs says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” I’ve noticed something over the years. I’ll trust God with my eternity, but then struggle to trust Him with Tuesday afternoon. Somehow, believing He can save my soul feels easier than believing He can handle my schedule, my family, or whatever I’m worried about today. Maybe you can relate. Maybe today you’re trying to control something that is far too heavy for you to carry. A relationship. A job. Your health. Your future. Someone you love. What if, instead of holding on tighter, you placed it in God’s hands? You don’t always have the power to control. But you always have the power to surrender. That doesn’t make surrender easy. It rarely is. But I can honestly say I’ve never regretted trusting God.

So here’s a simple question to take with you this week: What am I trying to control that God is asking me to surrender? You may not have the power to control it, but you always have the power to place it in His hands.