Losing Control
- May 17, 2020
- Brandi Michelle
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. 😆
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.
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.
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.
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
Jessie Q. Synan
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!
Brandi Michelle
I like that quote Jessie and it’s true. We only delay ourselves from God’s best when we chose to hold on to control. Thanks for reading.
Kayla Clyde
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 🙂
Brandi Michelle
Amen Kayla! We have to lay aside our own kingdoms for God’s Kingdom! 💞
savoringeachmoment6cd0664a71
As I was reading this I thought about the difference between losing control and letting go of control. Both can be scary to do, but when we let go of control and give it to God, we are no longer losing control so often.
Brandi Michelle
That is so good! If we give up our control more often, the less we will lose it. 👏🏽💞
Michelle Ling
I often hate the feeling of losing control but this post was filled with so much encouragement and wisdom! Thanks for sharing!
Brandi Michelle
I don’t like it other Michelle. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Rachel Mayew
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.
Brandi Michelle
Yes Rachel and thank you for reading.
Cindy
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!
Brandi Michelle
Cindy, we serve a mighty, mighty God! 🙌🏽 Thank you for sharing!
Maryann Lorts
Yes to all of the above 😉 But I do search, a lot, for what the Lord wants for me to be doing, even if it is not within my control.
Brandi Michelle
Maryann, it is so important to be open to what the Lord wants, even when we don’t want it. Thanks for commenting.
merryohler
Wonderful post. Thank you for sharing your experiences here. This season has stirred a realization for many of us that we do cling to control.
Brandi Michelle
Yes, this is definitely a season of reflection. Thanks for reading.
Donna Miller
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 … ❤
Brandi Michelle
Donna, thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. We all must remember to let God be God! 💞
~Stacey~
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.
Brandi Michelle
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!
Teresa Trumbly Lamsam
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.
Brandi Michelle
Teresa, that would be a good article! You’re right, we have to be intentional about remembering that God is in control. Thanks for sharing!
susanhomeschooling
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.
Brandi Michelle
Susan, it absolutely is hard and scary. Relinquishing control little by little helps to increase our faith. Thanks for reading and sharing.
Kristie
May God always be in control of our lives.
Brandi Michelle
Absolutely!
Favoureddaughters
Sis! It’s even hard when a close family member keep comparing you with others and want things done her way. Just today, I was feeling a bit out of control mixed with a bit of anger and deep concern. I fell out of control when I couldn’t explain to this person that I’m unique and content. I’ll rather follow God’s leading.
This is a very helpful post. Thanks for sharing
Brandi Michelle
Sis, one thing is for sure, we can’t control the actions or thoughts of others. In order to keep our peace, we must give control over to God.
Jen
Yes give it all to God that is where our peace comes from
Brandi Michelle
Absolutely
J. Shelan
Wonderful reminder to trust God!
Brandi Michelle
We all need a reminder sometimes. ☺️Thank you for reading.
Lady Mel
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!
Brandi Michelle
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! 💞
Ava James
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!
Brandi Michelle
Relinquishing control is hard to do, but it can be done. I’m a work in progress. I appreciate you reading and sharing.
Elizabeth Anderson
Yes, we need to ask God what He wants to do. We tend to do our own things then end up in trouble. Thanks for sharing
Brandi Michelle
Absolutely Elizabeth! I appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts.💞