Giving Up Control

Whoa . . . just typing the title of this entry kind of made my stomach clench. I like control. I like knowing that I'm in charge of my life . . .

OK. Now I have to laugh because I'm realizing more and more how little control I really have.

I've written previously that I suffer from some chronic health problems, and I've been feeling pretty miserable the last several weeks. I have no control there.

Despite my ongoing prayers and daily attempts to live a Christ-like life, my husband doesn't seem to be closer to a relationship with the Lord. I have no control there.

Even though I try to "promote" my ministry as much as possible, it's growing more slowly than I'd hoped. I have no control there.

Hmmmm. A pattern perhaps?

Guess what? I don't HAVE control. My future, my health, my calling . . . my life . . . everything is in God's control. Now, I can try to snatch control back and try to do things my own way. But you know something? He does things so much better than I can!

When I trust Him, when I wait for His timing, when I walk through doors He's opened, when I let go of my CONTROL (!), I can rest confidently that everything will work out for my ultimate good, just like Paul says in Romans 8:28.

And you know something else? There's a freedom that comes from giving up control. Wow . . . what a concept!