Letting Go of Control

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Remember the song, "Everyone wants to rule the world" by Tears for Fears?

Since Adam and Eve’s fall in Garden of Eden, humanity has been trying to “control” what they can’t control.   They have used God’s name to control and denied there is even a God so they can feel in control. 

Come to think of it, one’s own justification for salvation comes from the idea of control.  Ever hear, “I should be able to go to heaven because I am a good person”.  Some people want salvation based on their works (control) instead of what God has done through His Jesus Christ.  There is no other way to heaven but through Jesus Christ.   

Man was made to be an instrument for God, to be used by God.

Don’t think of control as a bunch of puppet strings but a supernatural living conduit where the soul is weaved together with God’s spirit.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

One is either submitting to God or the ways of the flesh that are easily manipulated by evil.

Of course those who think they are in control would call this nonsense and that is their choice but what is steering their choice?

God gives us the ability to choose what we submit to.  We can submit to God and discover what LIFE is or be manipulated by Satan who comes only to kill, steal, destroy. 

When what personal control evaporates in a person’s life what happens to that person?

When I forget God is in control I become discouraged, spiritually tired, stressed, frustrated, overwhelmed, anxious, worried, and sometimes even physically ill.

No wonder why the Word says,

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:6-9

If God is in control why does he allow suffering?

Suffering is part of the consequences of Adam and Eve’s actions in the Garden of Eden.     Their minds and hearts had become corrupted and this defect was passed down to all their offspring (that would be us).  And now those enticed, lured and persuaded by the world -yearn to have things their way.  They essentially want to be their own god.  This is not only sinful, self-centered, but causes trouble and heartache for anyone else around them and hence suffering occurs.

One of probably many reasons, God sent Adam and Eve into the world was to discipline/teach their souls to trust Him and show He is the one to be rightfully in control and without Him there is only destruction and havoc.   

Some might disagree but how many times did suffering awaken and reveal to us, as Christians, the realities of God?  How many times has our soul prospered in God through hardship and challenges in this life?   And have we not learned, as Christians, God needs to be in control, He trustworthy and He loves us?

Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”  

Knowing God is in control brings comfort, strength and stability to our soul.

That is not so when we think we have control -in fact it is down right destructive.

I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of what it says in Galatians 5:19-21 and Romans1:28-32 and all these instances have to do with not acknowledging God in our lives.  They all have to do wanting some type of control instead of submitting to God’s will.

They also have to do with us hanging on to our life and losing our life and instead of giving it to Jesus to save it. (Matthew 16:25)

But look what it says when we allow God to have control.

“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Here there is no conflict with the law.” Galatians 5:22-23

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy1:7

Power, love and sound mind come from submitting to God who is really the one who needs to be in control.