Daily life with my family frequently teaches me about our relationship with God. I look at my toddlers who are fiercely trying to be independent and want more control over their lives and I see parallels with my life as an adult Christian. They frequently tell me “I want to do it myself!”. From wanting to brush their teeth themselves, taking baths themselves, to wanting to clean their bottoms after using the potty! Some independence is good and encouraged but for many activities, they still need my help and guidance, and refusing that help will lead to failure, time wastage, or even injury. In the same way, we sometimes struggle with relinquishing control and letting God be in charge. Perhaps that’s why no matter how many times we read Philippians 4:6-7 we sometimes do not intently pray about the issue causing us anxiety “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” NKJV. I believe a lot of the anxiety we experience in life arises from us trying to influence issues that we have no business trying to be in control of. Clear examples are trying to control outcomes or other people’s opinions. Definitely, we should make plans and set out goals and objectives but this should be approached prayerfully, realizing that forces bigger than us will determine the final result. Proverbs 21:31 says “The horse is made ready for the day of battle but victory rests with the Lord” NIV. Proverbs 16:33 says “We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall” NLT. We relinquish control completely to him and trust him, all the while believing in his promises. Jeremiah 29:11 says “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”. Now this does not mean once again doing nothing while we wait on God, as that will only make us be like the servant in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25: 14-30 who did nothing with his talents. Rather let us pray and commit all our affairs to God and in the meantime, we can do the following:
- Be hardworking and do our best in whatever we are involved in. “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well” Ecclesiastes 11:6 NIV.
- Speak wisely. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” Colossians 4:6.
- Control your thoughts – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” Philippians 4:8.
- Follow peace with all men “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” Hebrews 12:14
If we want some control maybe focus on the above and then pray and let go of the situation.