By Grace Through Faith

Control. We want to know what will happen, when it will happen. We want specific situations to go just the “right” way.

Even when we look back on the first temptation, Eve took control. She doubted God. She gave into the lies of the enemy. And she ate the fruit.

When we believe that God is withholding good things from us, we may want to control the situation. Especially when we don’t know what may happen in the future, anxiety can spark within us. It tell us “we need to do something” to make all things good.

I’ve been thinking of the phrase lately “loosen up your grip”. Physically, this may mean to hold something less tightly and reduce tension. Metaphorically, it may mean to release control on a situation.

Think with me: when you have a tight grip on an object, there’s not much air around it. If the object needed air to breathe, well, you probably just cut off the circulation to it by tightening up your grip.

I know when I feel tight, I usually am not focusing on my breath. I often am taking fast, shallow breaths instead of intentional, deep breaths.

I think of the times where I have tried to control a situation, so much to where I don’t allow there to be room for anything to come into the situation. I don’t allow wisdom to be spoken over it by a friend. I don’t allow the Holy Spirit to be at work in it. I may be deaf to the voice of God where reason and understanding do not change my fixation. I want the control, and I take the control.

But, in seeking control, am I trying to do God’s job for Him??

I think of the verse Colossians 1:17 where it says: “And he [Christ] is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

News flash: God does not NEED me to do HIS job. Not even to mention that I do not have the power, wisdom, understanding, or consistency that God has.

He is unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

But do I truly put my trust in God to work all things out for good and His glory? Do I trust that He is not withholding from me? Do I trust His love over me?

This desire to control is usually a heart posture of lacking trust and feeling doubtful of God. It is saying “Because You won’t do it for me, I will”. However, what would happen if we loosen up our grip? What would happen if we had open hands today? Saying, “God, let Your will be done.”

In what areas of your life do you need to let go of the “need” to control? Where can you allow some room to breathe and let God’s will be done? Where are you doubting God and lacking trust in Him?

This is a daily surrender for us. To put our trust in who God is. To utter deep dependence on Him for our needs. This surrender reminds us of the good news of the gospel: “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8

I pray that you can rest in the Lord today, knowing that He is sovereign, good, and gracious to you. Let Him be The One to hold all things together for you. Take the weight off your shoulders and loosen up your grip.

With love,

Claire