The Battle for Control

Our words reveal our desires. Our conversation says a lot about who or what we worship. It also says a lot about how we view God. Personally, I love to plan. I think A LOT and 90% of those thoughts include a run through my schedule for the day...week...month. Ouch. Then, my mouth reflects my mind. My words express my need for control. I want more control over my life than God does. I make up "needs" in my mind and expect God to meet them. I "need" Him to make sure my day is productive. I "need" Him to make the weather perfect for this event. I "need" Him to cancel this item so I can complete this task. I end up worshiping the creation rather than the creator. I blame God and other people when my expectations are not met. My desire for control quickly turns into a multitude of false need.

"If my words don't flow out of a heart that rests in his control, then my words come out of a heart that seeks control." Paul Tripp

What about you? Do your words reflect your need for control? If so, what can we as Believers do about it? How can we release all of the control to God? I can tell you one thing, it takes effort on our part but it also takes the grace of God. It all boils down to these three words: Surrender, Submit, Trust.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."James 4:8

Surrender your words daily and hourly. This involves humbling ourselves before the Lord and giving our speech to Him. Our mouths belong to the Lord. Draw near to Him so that you can see things through His perspective. Do not demand things out of His hands. Humbly submit to God's plan because His way is always higher. If we knew what God knew, we would be okay with every plan He has for us. But, we don't. So we walk in faith. Trust that He knows best. Trust that, even when things feel chaotic, He is intricately involved in every detail of our circumstances.

Surrendering, submitting, and trusting is a continuous cycle that should happen every morning and several moments throughout the day. With time, the battle will get easier, you will see the faithfulness of God more and more, and your victory will increase.

I leave you with this prayer of Mary, the mother of Jesus, taken from the song "Be it Unto Me" by Geron Davis.

"Be it unto me, according to your Word, I give myself to thee, just a servant to you Lord. Though I don't understand your purpose our your plan, still I say, be it unto me."  Amen

☎︎

The Girl Next Door