Control Freak

“Control Freak” is something I would jokingly call myself to seem less crazy when explaining certain reasons, I did things to other people. For instance, if I was explaining why all my activities and academic subjects needed to be different colors in my planner, I would say “well, you know me, I’m a control freak.” Followed by a short and very nervous laugh. I believe if we speak things over our lives enough, they start to be what we take on as our perception of truth. Somewhere down the line, others started to get this idea of this label being who I am. I had spoken it over myself and control is something I craved in my everyday life. Some people would say “you’re just a good leader” or say, “she just knows what she wants and doesn’t want to settle.” Let me propose a thought to you. Why don’t we stop teaching people the mentality of doing it yourself is the best way? Let’s stop celebrating people who think their way of doing things is the best and writing it off as leadership and independence.

While I still very much do like my planner to include all my due dates and events on the monthly AND weekly view in their respective colors, I am also learning I can not have control. See, God gave us the option of free will. It is beautiful and dangerous. It is the best and worst gift we have. We have the option to say “no, I don’t want to obey these instructions.” But God also left the option of saying, “I choose to obey these instructions and I want your help doing so.” Our way is not the best way. I know that may come as a newsflash to some. Good leadership is not characterized by tossing other ideas to the side and assuming you being in control is the best. A good leader is willing to ask for help when needed and make sure the best option is picked to reach a common goal. I think we can all agree that God has the best way. We know the only salvation comes through Christ. (Acts 4:12) Our common goal should be Heaven. Try as you might, you can not cover someone else’s salvation by your faith. Your good works here do not matter to God if they are not what He has intended for you to do and it is not for His glory. (Ephesians 2:8-9) You will not make it to Heaven just because you were a good person. You can’t do it alone. There are so many independent variables you will not be able to control along the way. Ultimately, God’s will is what is going to prevail. So, you can choose now, to willingly surrender and admit that you don’t have control and don’t want it.

Let’s back up a bit, I said surrender. Surrender does not mean “well God, I can’t handle this part of my life so if you could take that, and I should be able to figure this part out on my own.” It means all of it. Dwell here for a minute.

It takes my breath away a little. I can plan, and things may not turn out the way I want. I can be so careful of so many things, but bad things could still happen. I could think I have things lined up, but none of those things may be available. When you surrender, fear leaves. You aren’t fighting your battles. Satan can’t touch you. Sounds lovely right? This doesn’t mean you are free from all the sad days, wrongdoing and disappointments; it means that you can walk right through them knowing this isn’t it. Either way, you win. If you are seeking God’s will, you will not be disappointed. You will not be in the wrong.

I said this started out as a label I would jokingly say. Then it started to feel true. Well it isn’t. I’m not in control. I give up control. Jesus, take the wheel.

Let me tell you some labels I know are true because God’s word says so.

I am..

Loved. ( 1 John 4:16)

Treasured. (Deuteronomy 7:6)

Protected. (Isaiah 54:17)

Chosen. (1 Peter 2:9)

Unique. (Isaiah 64:8)

Righteous. (1 John 3:7)

Strong. (Philippians 4:13)

Dignified. (Proverbs 31:25)

Valuable. (Matthew 6:26)

Fearless. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Beautiful. (Song of Solomon 4:7)

Clean. (John 15:3)

Free. (Psalm 118:5)

And so many more but I think you get the idea. Be careful of what you choose to speak over yourself. Center yourself in God’s word. It is true and unchanging. Know that God is in control. Pick one of these words you want to be reminded of this week. Share the word you needed reminded of with someone else or leave it here and I will pray for you to see yourself through God’s eyes.

Acts 4:12 : “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 : “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

1 John 4:16 : “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

Deuteronomy 7:6 : “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

Isaiah 54:17 : “no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.”

1 Peter 2:9 : “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Isaiah 64:8 : “But now, O Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

1 John 3:7 :” Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.”

Philippians 4:13 : “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Proverbs 31:25 : “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

Matthew 6:26 : “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

2 Timothy 1:7 : “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Song of Solomon 4:7 : “You are altogether beautiful, my love, there is no flaw in you.”

John 15:3 : “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

Psalm 118:5 :” In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free.”