LET GO OF CONTROL

A man trying to control things

Every day when I wake up, I make plans for how I’ll spend that day. I usually stay in bed for a while, visualizing the day and imagining how I’d feel if I accomplished everything I set out to do. I also create backup plans—B, C, and even D—in case things fail. I imagine how I’d feel if they failed, and how quickly I’d need to recover from disappointment and move on to the alternatives. When things go off track, I start asking myself questions like: What should I do next? Where should I go? Who should I talk to? At the end of the day, I re-evaluate my thoughts, actions, and movements. I ask myself how well and effectively I used my God-given time. Was I productive for the Lord? Did I read a Bible verse that day? Who did I help or encourage? Did I pray enough? Did I grow spiritually, emotionally, or intellectually? What did I do for my ministry? What did I do to move forward the vision and mission of our church? That’s how I spend my day. And eventually, that becomes my story—how I handle each day to get better and better.

At this point, you might be thinking, “Well, I’ve got my days figured out.” Someone else might say, “That’s too much pressure—think of your mental health.” But another person might feel encouraged and think, “I’m doing the right thing—that’s exactly how I plan my day.” And someone else might say, “I do more than that.” I guess it’s all subjective. We all plan our days differently. But there’s something common to all of us: we don’t get 100% success every day. When our main plans fail, our backup plans don’t always work either—otherwise, they wouldn’t be called alternatives; they’d all be Plan A. So we scramble, push, call this person and that, trying to make the most of the day. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. And the disappointments, stress, and frustration become the bed pillows for that night. The big question is: Does it have to be this way? Does the Lord intend us to live like this?

Of course not. The inconsistencies we experience aren’t engineered by God NOT even by Satan. Most of the time, they’re engineered by us—by our constant desire to control things. We want exactly what we planned. That desire to control rises above our desire to let God handle it all. But God’s desire is to control things for us and deliver a perfect, successful day. He wants us to stop playing God in our own lives. Psalm 127:1–2 (ESV) says: "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

We have to let go of control and leave it in Jesus’ hands. The sleepless nights spent figuring out what went wrong—or what could go wrong—come from wanting to control everything and make reality obey our wishes. But if we submit our daily plans to Him and still have a hard day, Psalm 127:2 says He will give us sleep because of His love for us.The thought of letting God take control has brought me a lot of peace. I’m not perfect yet—there are still things I want to control and outcomes I expect. Maybe it’s the same for you. That’s just part of being human, isn’t it? We’re all God’s work in progress. His grace covers us in those moments. But we have to let it all go and leave it in His hands.

The Bible says: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). And in Isaiah, the Lord says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9). We have to let the One with higher thoughts and higher ways handle the cares of our days. Because He is higher, He sees what we can’t see and hears what we can’t hear. That’s why He can direct our paths—if we hand over control.

In the New Testament, Peter says: “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God cares for you. He cares about your life and your mental health so much that He’s willing to take that burden from you. That’s what the cross is for. He didn’t just come to take away your sins—He also took everything that troubles you to that cross, so you could be truly free and live an abundant life. As Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).We have to let Him handle the days of our lives and let go of control. It won’t be easy, I know. That’s why He just says, “Trust Me.”

If you relate to my everyday struggle with control, I encourage you to try letting it all go too. I’m not there yet, but I’m trying every day to let God take control of everything. Sometimes I can’t. Sometimes I do. But I keep submitting everything to Him daily. It’s a process—and it’s worth it. Try to do the same.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I come before You today, acknowledging my struggle with control. Lord, You know how I wake up each morning with my carefully made plans, my alternatives, and my expectations. You see the anxiety that builds when things don’t go according to my schedule. You know the sleepless nights I’ve spent trying to figure out what went wrong.

Forgive me for trying to play God in my own life. Forgive me for believing my plans are better than Yours, and for placing my desire for control above my trust in Your sovereign care. I confess that I’ve often lived as if everything depends on me, forgetting that unless You build the house, my labor is in vain.

Father, I thank You that Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and Your ways higher than my ways. Thank You that You see what I cannot see and know what I do not know. Thank You for caring so deeply for me that You took my burdens to the cross, so I could live an abundant life.

Today, I choose to release my grip on control. I submit my plans, my days, and my expectations to You. I trust that You are working all things together for my good, even when I can’t see it. Give me grace to rest in Your sovereignty, to sleep peacefully when plans fail, and to rise with renewed faith in Your providence.

Lord, when I feel the urge to scramble, push, and manipulate circumstances, remind me to be still and know that You are God. When disappointment knocks at my door, help me to cast all my anxieties on You, knowing You care for me. When I’m tempted to take back control, gently draw me back to surrender.

I pray for all who struggle with this same issue of control. May we learn together to trust You more fully, rest in Your goodness, and embrace the freedom that comes from surrender. May our lives be a testimony of Your faithfulness—even when our plans fall apart.

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. I trust. Help me to trust more. I surrender. Help me to surrender all. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.