Over the years as I evaluate different things that I get anxious or stressed out about, there is one common thread in my response to them — a desire to be in control. It’s as if playing out potential negative outcomes or imagining unsuccessful work projects puts me in the driver’s seat. Nothing is going to happen without me being forewarned and prepared to face it.
The problem, however, is that trust and control do not coexist. You can have control or you can have trust, but you can’t have both. This presents a challenge considering that throughout scripture, God’s instruction to us is to trust Him. In fact, we often see that God’s guidance does not include the final picture nor are all the details known.
Scripture tells us that God desires our trust and dependence on Him along the way. Abraham was instructed to leave his country but not given a specific destination ahead of time. The people of God were told to step into the raging river prior to God parting the waters. Mary and Martha were challenged to trust when Jesus instructed the stone be removed from their dead brother’s tomb.
Evaluate your heart and motives today. How much of your stressing and worrying is an attempt to be in control? Make an attempt today to put your trust in Him again. Here are a couple of tips:
- Acknowledge your struggle to Him and declare that you want to trust Him.
- Stop negative thoughts within 30 seconds of them entering your mind and replace them with healthy thoughts.
Many scientists believe that we can create new neural pathways by changing our thoughts because it changes negative thought patterns. The apostle Paul talked about taking thoughts captive in Second Corinthians, chapter ten, verse five. Ironically, one of the first steps in releasing control of your life may be gaining control of your thoughts.
“The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.”
Genesis 12:1 NLT
“So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.”
Joshua 3:14-16 NLT
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”
Psalms 37:5 NLT
“Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?””
John 11:38-40 NLT
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
“We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT