CONTROL

Shared by Lindsey Cox

I got a call from my mother saying that my 92-year-old grandmother was headed to the hospital with a severe infection. My immediate thought was “what can I do, what should I do?” My night had already been planned out, my schedule fixed – and now deviation to my agenda was necessary. I quickly adjusted plans and headed to the hospital. I urged the hospital staff to respond promptly, and not that they WEREN’T, but it is never quick enough when it is your family member suffering. We want things on our time, our way, and our expected outcome.

As I sat next to my grandmother’s bedside in the ER, I couldn’t help but think of what a strong person she has always been. I sat there and watched her in pain, begging internally for some relief, but joking with the nurse who worked to help get her comfortable. And just as I reminisced on the numerous lessons this lady has taught me over the years, she turned to me and said something I will never forget:

“Lindsey, I read in my devotional the other day that I really need to let go of control and let God — but that is my biggest struggle in life.”

HELLO. I almost said, “Is God sharing my heart and internal struggles with you?!” “How could he reveal my vulnerability through you!”

I had control of my evening before that 2-minute phone call from my mother. I had control of my situation, my expectations at the time – but I quickly lost it all. And my grandmother quickly lost control of her life as she has known it for the past 5 years.

Control.

It is something we all struggle with, and I will shamefully say that I am guilty of it every single day. I want the sun to shine every day. I want my kids to get their shoes on the first time I ask, not the tenth. I want my coffee brewed just perfectly, my patients to all be happy, and my evening to go as I have planned — every minute of every day. I want my kids to listen. I want this world to be a world with no fear, no disrespect, and no harm. I want to control the way others perceive me. I want to control the way others treat me. I want to control my mouth and thoughts.

But reality is, I can’t and you can’t either. So why try? Why do you and I obsess over something that is completely and absolutely out of our control (did you see what I did there?). When things aren’t going as planned and chaos intrudes, my first instinct is to gain control of the situation. And when I realize that it isn’t in God’s plan for me to control, then I become distraught, confused, and upset. What those actions are really saying is that I am not trusting God to control the issue at hand.

Remember, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1

We MUST remember that God is in control, and He is more capable of driving the ship than any other sailor. TRUST in Him and His Word to sustain you. There is no situation you will face that is out of God’s control, so the best place to be, always, is right there with Him.

You may be sitting there saying “I know I am not the one in control, but how do I ensure that God is the one in control of my life?”

Let’s not be mistaken – just because you are not in control does not mean you have allowed God to be in control.

There are so many things that can control your life. Rest assured, those things will NOT sustain you, will NOT fulfill you, will NOT comfort you. Some are great band-aids, but all band-aids are temporary. Why entrust your life to a flimsy, temporary comfort?

Start abiding in His Word. Surrender control (I know, this is a difficult step, trust me!). Be still and know, God has a plan — God ALWAYS has a plan.

Amidst the storms, you must be still. You must acknowledge that God knows what is going on, despite any confusion. And trust — trust that God’s knowledge far exceeds anything you could comprehend. Trust that God WILL carry you to a place of prosperity and love. And finally, just seek Him. Keep God at the forefront of everything you do. Lean on Him in the good times and the bad.

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” — Psalm 94:19

You must surrender control. When you surrender control, you surrender your fear. You surrender hurt. You surrender the devil’s work and become more like the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

God has control, and there is no one more capable than the One who created it all.