surrender to God

Losing Control

I must admit, I like to feel as if I have control over my life. Knowing what to expect, being proactive, and having a plan, all give me a sense of accomplishment. The thought of losing control will sometimes overwhelm me or even cause me to shut down. It’s just something about being organized that makes my soul happy. Don’t judge me.  😆 

surrender

The Wrong Path

 

As I was trying to think of someone in the Bible losing control, I immediately thought about Saul of Tarsus. Here is a man who did not follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. He was actually ruthless and relentless in his pursuit of persecuting anyone who was a believer.

 

Saul had complete control until he began to make his way to a city called Damascus. His plan was to capture the Christians that lived there and imprison them back in Jerusalem. However, on his way there he had an encounter with Jesus. At that moment, whether he knew it or not, Saul began losing control. 

 

Saul surrender

 

Have you ever taken the time to ask the question, “Lord, what do You want me to do”?  As you’ve read, you see that Jesus gave Saul an instruction to follow. The same goes for us. When we hand over our control to God, He will guide us from the wrong path to the right one.

 

 

After taking this crucial step by asking Jesus what to do, his life began to change. Jesus provided him with a new life and a new name. He went from being a Christian persecutor to being the Apostle Paul, who wrote over half of the New Testament.

 

Like Saul, sometimes we find ourselves headed down the wrong path. But be encouraged and know that there is not a path we can go down where God can’t redirect us.

 

Have you ever gone through something where you felt like you were losing control?

 

As for me, I’ve never felt more out of control than I did when I was going through my divorce. Where will I live? How will this affect my child? Will I ever heal from this? There were so many questions I did not have the answer to at the time.

 

Some of you may find yourself in a similar position. Maybe it’s not a divorce, but you lost your job. Now you don’t know how you will take care of yourself, let alone, your family. You could find yourself filled with anxiety during this shelter in place and feel as if you’re losing control of your sanity and reasonable thinking. Or perhaps your health or that of a loved one has taken a turn for the worse and you don’t know the outcome. 

 

worried

There are so many circumstances that could arise to make you feel as if you’re losing control. With the world in the state that it is in, we don’t know if businesses will shut down or if schools will open back up to functioning as we have known it. There is so much uncertainty at this time.

Losing Control Can Be Beneficial

 

But take heed, Jesus has already overcome the world. So that in which you are worried or uncertain about, Jesus has already made a way for you. Losing control may not feel good but when you make the decision to lose it to Jesus, He will make all things work together for your good.

 

There is a song by Jonathan McReynolds called “The Best Thing” that perfectly describes why losing control to God, is always the best thing. Here is a snippet of the lyrics.

 

“I find my life when I lose it in you. 

I gain control when I give it to you.

I save myself when I let you save me. 

The best I can do for me is you.”

 

There is no better thing that you can do for yourself that is greater than giving your life to Christ. It is when you seek His Kingdom above everything else in your life (ie, FaceBook, Instagram, bae, work, etc), that all other things will be added to your life.

Seek God first

 

So don’t be concerned about things you don’t have control over. Be willing to lose control of every area of your life and allow God to do His work? You will never know just how God can move in your life until you are bold enough to say, “Lord, not my will, but may Your will be done.” Make the choice to start losing control today.

 

In Relentless Pursuit,

Brandi Michelle

38 Comments

  • Avatar
    Jessie Q. Synan
    June 1, 2020 at 7:02 pm Reply

    One time I heard the quote “if you’re in control, you’re going to slow”. It has always stuck with me. Love giving it all to God!

  • Avatar
    Kayla Clyde
    June 1, 2020 at 1:58 pm Reply

    So true! It’s so important that give up our fear of losing control and give over control to God. I love that verse too! Seek first the Kingdom of God…not our own kingdoms 🙂

  • Avatar
    Rachel Mayew
    May 31, 2020 at 10:53 pm Reply

    This is such an encouraging read. So true that we find ourselves and our full identity when we give ourselves to God. And though it’s scary to lose control, you’re so right that there are benefits, namely finding our strength in God.

  • Avatar
    Cindy
    May 31, 2020 at 6:21 pm Reply

    Loved this post, Brandi! This statement, “When we hand over our control to God, He will guide us from the wrong path to the right one” is such a great one. This is exactly what happened to me last year. I handed over control to God and He took me off that path and put me on the one that I am on today. PTL!

  • Avatar
    Donna Miller
    May 27, 2020 at 8:18 am Reply

    I love this post Brandi! The more I can give up control, the more God can take the reins of my life back into His capable hands. It takes growing in trust and also understanding that God is God and I am not. Love this post sweet sister. You are an inspiration to us all … ❤

  • Avatar
    ~Stacey~
    May 26, 2020 at 12:03 pm Reply

    Oh I have been there with divorce. Losing control is never fun (or good if you ask those around me!!). I also feel like I have no control over a custody issue I have had with my daughters father for all of her 15 years of life. That is why I give it to God. I have no other way to find peace but to give it all to God and let him have his way.

    • Avatar
      Brandi Michelle
      May 26, 2020 at 12:12 pm Reply

      The more we try to hold on to controlling the actions of others, the more of our peace we lose. Stacey, you’re right, we have no other choice but to give it to God if we want to keep our sanity. Thank you so much for sharing!

  • Avatar
    Teresa Trumbly Lamsam
    May 26, 2020 at 9:37 am Reply

    It’s so difficult to release the control that was never really ours in the first place! For me, I find that I have to be intentional about it. It’s not a one-and-done type thing. Control has a way of creeping back into our lives. I think it’s the default position for many of us. I would love to read an article about how to be a friend to someone who is in the stage of Losing Control.

  • Avatar
    susanhomeschooling
    May 18, 2020 at 10:38 pm Reply

    My whole life I have tried to be in control. It’s hard to hand complete control over to Jesus. It’s done little by little over time, as we hear the Holy Spirit guiding us.

    • Avatar
      Lady Mel
      May 19, 2020 at 11:12 am Reply

      Good Afternoon,

      Please get out of my business. Lol. I’ve struggled with control my entire life. In 2018, I lost my job, a baby, and a college friend. I felt like I had lost all control. Realized all along that I was never in control in the first place. I gave it all to God!

      Excellent blog!

      • Avatar
        Brandi Michelle
        May 19, 2020 at 11:23 am Reply

        Sorry Chile, I didn’t mean to get in your business. Lol. Well you definitely had enough going on in 2018 that was all out of your control. Because you are still here, let’s me know that God kept you through it all. 🙌🏽

        It doesn’t make sense at the time, but God always has a reason for what He allows. As the old church would, “we will understand it better, by and by”.

        Thanks for sharing! 💞

    • Avatar
      Ava James
      May 26, 2020 at 2:14 pm Reply

      This is something l am learning every day. Like making forgiveness a choice, l think relinquishing control to God is a prayer l have to prompt myself with. I can relate. Thanks for your honesty Brandi!

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