Apr 25th 2015

In Control

I recently took on a major new project, and getting it off the ground has consumed a lot of my energy. I landed this project unexpectedly, and though it was welcome, it upended my neat, organized life, disrupting my carefully planned schedule and interrupting all of my routines. And mind you, there was still all the regular stuff … you know, laundry, cleaning, family responsibilities, church work, other projects, staying connected to people I love, etc., etc., etc., etc.

Before I knew it, I was overwhelmed. I became so fearful that I was going to drop some really big ball that I started obsessing. (Yeah, I know that Scripture about not having the spirit of fear, but in the moment, well, let’s just say that that wasn’t the Scripture I was quoting.) And for me, obsessing means working overtime – mentally and physically – trying to control every little and big thing. And working overtime means no sleep. And a sista is cranky when she doesn’t get her eight hours!

After my third night of tossing and turning, list-making, and schedule planning, I decided that there was no way I was gonna win this battle, and, on the path I was on, this project was gonna get the best of me. Well, I am a daughter of the King and I refuse to be defeated!

So I did what I should have done in the first place: Acknowledge that the God I love and serve is the One Who is ultimately in control of everything. Release all my concerns and fretting to Jehovah-Jireh, the One Who Provides. Trust that He is working out everything for my good (Romans 8:28). And praise Him in advance for provision, solution, direction, and favor.

And you know what? Just like that, I got my peace back. My spirit calmed. My soul was soothed. And in less than 24 hours, I got confirmation that help was on the way. A door that had been shut suddenly reopened. I could see a clear path ahead. And, most of all, I got my eight hours.

The lesson: You and God can’t both be in control. So just acknowledge that God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Lover of your soul, is better at steering the ship than you are. So just let go and let God do what God does best. And love and adore God because God loves and adores you enough to make everything, everything little and big thing, work for your good. And God can accomplish this because he is in control of everything.

May God bless your week.