Let Go of Control

I love to be in control of my life. But the truth is, many things that have happened, are happening, or will happen are beyond my control.

Paul the Apostle writes in Romans 8:28, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The verse should reassure Christ followers, but that’s much easier said than done. The reality is, we can only control how we react or respond to people or situations. We cannot control what comes our way.

Poverty was a thorn in my side. And there were so many nights I spent as a child strategizing how I would get myself out of it. It felt like I was stuck in this cycle that no one in my family could break. The more I thought about my poverty, the more hopeless I felt. But Matthew 6:34 became a great encouragement for me:

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Realizing that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose, I made a choice to approach things differently. I took a shoe box and used it as a representation of God’s love for me. I called it my “God Box.” I would take a piece of paper and write down something that was beyond my control, troubled my spirit, or was a problem I was dealing with. Then I would fold the piece of paper and place it in my God Box. As long as that piece of paper was inside the box (in God’s control), I would not discuss it, worry about it, or have anything to do with it.

With time, my life was more joyful! And I started to have the peace of God. To personally worry about my issue, I had to go to the box, open it and manually pick it up. Why would I want to pick up something that would make my life more stressful, whose outcome I couldn’t control?

Find a way to let go of control and let God take care of the things you cannot. He is far more powerful than your anxiety, fear or worry.