Proverbs
16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Confession: I’m a mess…I’m a control freak. I try to control my life and my children’s
lives. How do I let go of being a
control freak when I have these little lives to worry about? How do I trust and let go…to let God control
us without the fear and anxiety that I typically have when I think of my
children and their future? I’m all
tangled up in this life and to trust…to let go and let God? A hard thing to do. So hard especially when my constant default
is to worry and to control…control them and me.
Because I feel like if I am in “control” then I can protect them and
shelter them from the bad things in this world.
Don’t get me wrong…I’m not talking about parenting…but to let go and
trust that He has us and that He will use everything to transform me and them
into the image of His son (because that is what He says He will do)…I need to
remember. Daily! Sometimes- minute to minute.
Last week, when I wrote about Martha, Mary and Dancing with
God….Martha was a bit of a control freak as well- I think. I mean she flat out told Jesus to tell Mary
to help her! She didn’t ask
Jesus she told Jesus.
In everything give thanks.
This is what Jesus says to do.
When I look at Jesus’ life…he wasn’t running around making people follow
him, he didn’t demand anyone to choose him, he wasn’t controlling everyone, and
he wasn’t afraid and anxious before his crucifixion. He takes the bread and gives thanks. He takes time to have quiet time with
God. He gets away from it all and sits with
his Father to focus. He listens and
trusts Him. He responds to people with
love, patience, grace and kindness. The
fruits of the spirit.
Can I trust God to transform everything---the mess of
me---into something good? Yes! I may have to remind myself of this a lot
though. My pastor made a comment a
couple of weeks ago that stuck with me.
He said that, “Sometimes you have to be in the fire to see Jesus.”
Can I take these moments…trust God in them and frame the
moments of my life? Yes! Ann Voskamp
says, “Remember: You have to want to see the well before you can drink from
it. You have to want to see joy, God in the
moment.” If I don’t do this…does it mean
that I am rejecting God? Ugh
I take pictures daily because I want to see the light in
these moments of my life. There are dark
parts but there are lighter moments if I stop and look. God brings light into the moments of our
lives. Snapshots of the beauty around
us.
I’m not in control. If I try to control my life or my
children’s lives…it’s going to be a hard road.
We are given the choice to follow God and in order to change from
control freak and worrier to letting go and trusting – I have to choose Jesus
first. My pastor said this week that “change
is like remodeling or renovating a house.
It takes time and it gets messy.
It’s not instant.” Romans 8:28
says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of
those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Trust.
Let Go of Control…Because I am not in control.
Patience.
Jesus.
My life verse is Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” You would think that I would remember this
but like I said earlier…my constant default is to worry and control. This is a daily focus for me. Jesus.
I love this quote by Susie Larson…“It’s hard to step out of
the boat when you’re anchored to your fears.”
Maybe I love it because it’s me…it is so so true! Sometimes I think…but this boat is comfy and
cozy and out there…is different. Change
can be good but it can also be a scary thing.
“Step out of the boat Michelle…let go of your fears
Michelle. Trust in Me Michelle. Drop the control freak act Michelle.” I kinda think this is what God says to me.
Here are some
verses that can remind me and you that God is in control:
Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but
it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Matthew
19:26 “Jesus looked at them and
said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all
things are possible.”
Joshua
1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah
55: 8-11 “I don’t think the way you think. The way
you work isn’t the way I work.”
God’s Decree: “For as the sky soars high above earth,
so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies
and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom,
producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth
not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do,
they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.” ~The Message
God’s Decree: “For as the sky soars high above earth,
so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies
and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom,
producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth
not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do,
they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.” ~The Message
Job
12:10 “In his hand is the life of every creature and
the breath of all mankind.”
Happy 4th of July! Be Safe!
I love the quote about being hard to step out of the boat when you are anchored to your fears...this is totally me, and I watch my little girl struggle with it too at such an early age...I pray for guidance on how to help her and be less fearful and more faithful myself! Thanks Michelle!
ReplyDeleteOh Kathy...It is one of my favorite quotes! I totally relate to it as well. Praying for guidance for you and me! :)
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