The Incongruity of Control in a Surrendered Soul

The modus operandi for many of us is to be in control of the various facets of life. Is it your normal mode of operation to have your fingers in every pie and make certain that everything lines up to your specifications?  Our thinking tracks along the following lines. If you can control how something operates, then in all reality, you should be able to gain the outcome you desire.  

In the mathematical and scientific world we see this type of consistency within facts and figures, as well as carefully documented scientific data.  Control groups are a natural part of the scientific community.  However, control takes on another connotation altogether when it becomes the byword for spiritual growth.

The Contradiction Found in Control

A life of control is in direct contradiction to the life of surrender that we as Christians should live. It is incongruent.  Something that doesn’t fit in a surrendered life.  However, there are times that we don’t realize that we are grasping the reins of our life in a death grip.   It is only as God graciously reveals our error that we are able to let go and release our hold of the control we have on ourselves and even our loved ones.

In recent weeks God has been working in my life.  Although at first, I did not recognize God’s hand. You see, I was unexpectedly bombarded with fears.  They came with a ferocity like never before.  Furthermore, these fears severed my peace and swallowed my joy. Turbulence swept through my mind. My thoughts jumped from one thing to another which triggered fear after fear.  In addition, no matter which way I looked there seemed to be no way of escape.  Darkness and despair closed in and I cried for deliverance from the fears that had a stranglehold upon me.

It wasn’t the instantaneous answer I was wanting, but as I quieted my spirit, I could hear God’s whisper over the dull roar of fear.  “Loosen your grip on your life.  Let me have your hopes and dreams; your fears and your future.” In the following days, I intentionally made space for quiet moments with my Savior.  Within that space I confronted my fears and found a deeper issue.  My fears stemmed from my inability to control the outcome of situations in the future.

The Surrender Brings Peace

I laid my unfounded and irrational fears before God.  It was only as I let go and recognized again the fact that it was God in charge, not me, that peace again filled my soul.   God could be trusted in those moments that found me in a landmine of fears.  He drew me out and closer to Himself.  Victory came because of surrender and acceptance that God knows best. With that surrender I knew that God would continue his perfect work in my life and the lives of my loved ones.

Dear friend, if you find yourself surrounded by fears that threaten to swallow you up, turn to God.  He is a sure refuge.  He knows where you are and what you are facing.  It is with infinite patience he whispers and draws you to Himself.  Let his perfect love saturate your life until there is no more room for fear to reside.  Don’t let the incongruity of control become your normal mode of operation.  A gripping control is out of place in a soul surrendered to God.  Don’t trade in your peace for the mirage of control. 

The Trusting Life of the Soul

As you move forward take captive the thoughts that threaten to take you under.  Rest in His Almighty power and presence.  The troubles of today and the unknowns of tomorrow can be placed with confidence in the capable hands of God. 

If you find yourself in the ‘control group’ of life, loosen your grip. Don’t let the incongruent control of your life become a barrier to  living a surrendered life. Let go and let God be God. We don’t have to be in charge.  Nor do we have to control the outcome.  We serve a God that can be trusted to work it all out for our good and his glory.  In the surrender, there is peace.

I’m reminded afresh of the truth of Corrie Ten Booms words.  “ Never be afraid to trust an unknown future, to a known God.”   We have no need to fear. He is already there. We can leave the control in God’s hands. Our soul needs the stillness of living the trusting life.