Surrendering Control by Russ Pond

Surrendering Control – Letting Go and Letting God

BY RUSS POND 

When I was in high school, I remember thinking to myself: I’m in control of my life and my destiny. With a good education and hard work, I can do anything. I control whom I will marry, where I live, what I do. My life is in my control.

These thoughts were normal for me, but they would always fall short in one area–death. I could not control the inevitableness of death, or what happens to me after I die. This revelation would trigger total panic in me. What control I thought I had was really no control at all.

People like to think they’re in control–control of their lives, their future, their peace. But control is an illusion. Yes, we can affect certain aspects of our lives. Our decisions affect what happens to us. That’s the law of consequences. But our life is not our own, as much as we’d like to think it is.

“Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20a).

The more we attempt to control our life, the more fear and anxiety controls us. This illusion of control makes us feel safe and secure. But, when something happens that is out of our control–a job loss, a doctor’s bad report, a spouse leaves–suddenly, our world becomes very unstable. Our little controllable world becomes more and more fragile.

However, the moment we relinquish all control to God, the fear of being out of control no longer has a place to work its destructive plans. Our minds are released from the need to fix everything, to maintain everything, to control everything.

“A job loss.” Well, God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10). Surely, he can take care of you. He is the Lord who provides (Genesis 22:14).

“A doctor’s bad report.” Well, God purchased you at a high price (1 Corinthians 7:23). If God owns you, then surely he can take care of you. And, Jesus holds the keys to death and the grave (Revelation 1:18). Not man.

“A spouse leaves.” Even if someone abandons you, God will never abandon you. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9).

I’m going to make a bold statement here, but I believe with all of my heart: There is absolutely nothing that has happened, is happening or will happen to you that you and God can’t handle together. In Jesus, all things are possible (Luke 18:27).

God wants to be first in your life. Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these other things will fall in place (Matthew 6:33). Give him control of your life. Not just a little control. Not just control in your weak areas. Give him all control. Let him carry the burden for you. I can say with all of my heart, it’s well worth it.

Prayer: Father, I give you control of my life. I trust you.