Our need for control often looks like responsibility, but deep down, it’s really fear in disguise. And I’ve learned we most likely try to control in two ways: with our actions or our words.
With our actions, we try to fix, do, hustle, and produce. And yes—faith without works is dead. But it’s our work apart from God that gets us into trouble. We wear ourselves out trying to make things happen in our own strength and end up more frustrated than fruitful. But in Psalm 46:10, God offers us a different path, telling us to:
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (ESV)
Stillness isn’t laziness—it’s surrender. Now I understand that being still is especially hard when we’re uncomfortable or hurting. But when we know who God is—faithful, trustworthy, gracious—we gain the strength to be still and let Him move.
Other times, when there’s nothing we can do, we try to control with our words—defending ourselves, over-explaining, protecting our image. But Exodus 14:14 says:
“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (ESV)
Sometimes, silence is the strategy. Every time your best defense is trusting that God will fight for you, vindicate you, and redeem what was lost.
So remember:
- God cares for you.
- He has not and will not forget you.
- He works in His way and in His time.
- He can be trusted.
- He can do more—and better—than you ever could on your own.
You don’t have to control everything. You just have to trust the One who can.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to let go of the control I’ve held on to out of fear. Teach me how to be still when I want to act, and how to be silent when I want to speak. I trust You to fight for me, work on my behalf, and lead me in Your perfect way. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.