Control

Every human being alive wants to have control of their lives. I believe that is a natural part of human nature because we want to make sure our lives are governed by us and not anyone else or other outside force. Unfortunately, life will not let us always have control. In fact, there are times in our lives when we have no control of the situation and find ourselves floating in a rushing torrent that seems to never end. We then are fearful and will lose hope if the situation or our attitude doesn't change.

I have known several people during my life that are, for lack of a better phrase, control freaks. Everything and everyone has to be tightly controlled by them so that they can make it through the day. Others I have known like control but are not as obsessed with it and, in my opinion, lead a happier life because of it.

Control people are always planning every detail and try to control every aspect of their lives as if their very lives depended on it. They are the ones that set goal after goal after goal, manipulate every situation to their benefit, and will use whatever means they have available to make sure no one stands in their way. They will not let go of anything and can end up harboring resentment, bitterness, and anger at anyone or anything that gets in their way, including God. One of the hardest things a control person has to do is to let go.

Letting go is very scary. It's the fear of the unknown that can paralyze anyone, and control people fear that emotion the most. This fear causes them to cling all the harder and wrestle the control back into their possession. But when they start trying to regain control, fighting against anything in their path, they being to push away the people that are closest to them and even try to push God out without being totally conscious of such actions.

When life doesn't go their way, they get angry and look for ways to make themselves regain control of their plans. The more they try to regain control, the more frustrated and angrier they become. Woe be to anyone near them at the times when they feel the most out of control. Bad choices are made. Angry words are spoken. Resentful silence is enacted. A small, but very powerful, wedge is slowly hammered into place between the controller and the people they love.

God never wants us to live in that manner. His plan for all our lives is to let Him control our lives and let Him be the originator of the outcomes. Several people from the Bible exhibited such traits--Lot and his family, David, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. All tried to handle life their own way and control their own destiny, so to speak. But in the end, they made a complete mess of it and God had to intervene to get them back on track.

Why not just let God have control at all times? It certainly is the less complicated way. Yes, there will be times of uncertainty and feelings of floating in a raging river, but when we rest in the knowledge that our omniscient, omnipotent God is in control, then we will have no fear of the outcome and can begin to enjoy the journey. Life's too short to keep clinging to the bondage control forces us into.

God says, "Let Me handle all your concerns."

In doing so, we will end up being a more balanced, happier person that enjoys every aspect of life. And that, my friend, is the way God intends it.