NO CONTROL HERE

I don’t want to wait on a prayer I want the outcome NOW!  I am a do something kind of person.  I want to do something about it.  I want it fixed today! I don’t want to wait for prayer.

CONTROL FREAK!  

So just what is control?

The power or influence to direct people’s behavior or the course of events.

In the book ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING by Max Lucado, the first chapter dives right into CONTROL.  He goes into the definition of sovereign.  This is the term the Bible uses to explain God’s perfect control and management of the universe.

SOVEREIGN- supreme power or authority, to rule, power, CONTROL

In the scripture Colossians 1:17 it can’t be more black and white.

Colossians 1:17 New International Version (NIV)

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

God is in charge of all things.  He not only created the world, but He makes sure the world functions.  God holds everything together and protects everything. He prevents all things from going crazy. We are not independent of Him.  We must trust that God will take care of us, protect us and sustain us.

We have one big problem- we want complete control when actually He controls all things.  We want black and white.  We want the concrete.  We know what is happening now, but we grasp on to figuring out the then and the after that.

So, guess what happens when we feel we are out of control?  Anxiety sets in.  This is why control freaks are the most stressed-out people on the planet.

Page 23 of Anxious for Nothing there is an excellent quote,

“ANXIETY INCREASES AS PERCEIVED CONTROL DIMINISHES.” 

But why?  Why do we have to know?  Why do we want to know?  Why do we worry about things that may not even occur?

It tells us in Proverbs 21:30 NO PLAN can succeed against the LORD.

Why do we waste so much energy on trying to have control?

Proverbs 21:30 New International Version (NIV)

30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan

    that can succeed against the Lord.

In the Bible, we can find a better solution.

Pau lrealized he had no control.  He was wise and understood that God was sovereign.  So, what did Paul do he rejoiced. He sang in prison.  He found joy.  He saw his life as a life that was lived for God and for God’s purpose.  He understood that God’s plan for his life was much better than his plan even if it included hardships.  He trusted God.

Paul explained in Philippians 1:12-13

Philippians 1:12-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters,[a] that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard,[b] knows that I am in chains because of Christ.

It will all work out.  MAIN POINT.

Why worry?  Why has anxiety?  Paul didn’t.  Every piece of the puzzle of Paul was important.  Every piece had a reason, and Paul knew it.  He says Everything that has happened to me has helped spread the good news.

Philippians 4:6-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

When you have a difficult time of letting go of the wheel make a list.  Make a list of what you can control and what you can’t control.  Then pray to God about your list.  For example, I can’t control the weather, but I can put on a raincoat.  I can’t cure cancer, but I can bring joy to those who have been given the diagnosis. I can’t control other people, but I can control my reactions to others.

Trust God and realize it will all work out.  Let go of control release the wheel and let God drive your car.

ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING Page 29

 “Anxiety decreases as your understanding of your father increases.”

CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK:

•    Keep your daily appointment

•    Relinquish control to the one who has control, let God drive your bus

•    When we feel anxiety coming on make a list of what you can control and what you can’t

•    Fill your cup with God so that you can fill cups