The Power Of Giving Up Control

Proverbs 16:3-9  –

‘Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans…. In their hearts humans plan their course but the Lord establishes their steps.’

Giving up Control is something that recently, I've had to learn a lot about. Having graduated university in the middle of a global pandemic, it can often seem as though all expectation and hope for the future has been stripped away. Currently, I feel as though God has called me to stay in Birmingham and complete a year interning at Gas Street, but with no source of financial income, I’m having to completely trust in God’s provision and his plans for my life during this season.

Many of us know that letting go and exercising trust in God, is what allows us to experience life in all its fullness. Nonetheless, it still proves difficult in reality. God is aware that whether it’s active or subconscious, we’re going to try and plan the course we want our lives to take. There’s no denying it, as humans we like to be in control - but this can become crippling! 

In John Mark Comer’s latest E book, ‘Living in Holy Uncertainty’, he discusses how an obsession with control can ‘derail our spiritual formation’ and prevent us from becoming hopeful, loving and faithful people - we start to live without a deep trust and steady confidence in God’s involvement in our lives, and we doubt the future he has planned for us.

But, when we hold our hopes, expectations and plans for the future lightly it creates space for God to move into our circumstances and ‘establish our steps’ by the power of his Holy Spirit. It’s the uncertainty that comes with giving up control which builds our dependence on God and his goodness. Submitting ourselves to God’s ways more and more each day is ultimately what allows us to live a life of FREEDOM - the pressure is off us to make everything happen – Phew!  

Reflect – What things in your life are you trying too hard to control? What would it look like for you to submit these things over to God?

Prayer – Thank you Jesus that you have ultimate control over everything in my life. I’m sorry for when I've tried to make things happen in my own strength. I ask now, that you would fill me with hope for the future you have planned for me.