Attempting
to control life is an impossible task. Panic attacks, endless worry, attempting
to manipulate people and events, and using anger or condescension or guilt to
control people's responses and behavior are all exercises in futility.
Controlling
also alienates us from the affections of our loved ones. They either cringe
when we come around, avoid us or tune us out to protect themselves from what
they perceive as emotional abuse.
This
all stems from a deep seated fear in our soul that life will overcome us and we
will drown in despair. Leaving life in God's capable hands is the only way to
face life with confidence and victory (Exodus 14:4; Psalm 127:1; Hebrews 11:6).
Living
with the knowledge that we truly are incapable, frail and powerless, we thrive
in a life of praise for God's bountiful provision for us in every area of life
- physical, financial, emotional, spiritual and mental (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
We
are confident of His divine presence, power and majesty in our spirit, which
conforms our soul by the sanctifying power of His Holy Spirit until we have the
mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
We
come to the end of our self and God reveals to us that we are no longer
separated from Him, but living in union with Him to the degree that we will
allow Him to function in and through us by His Holy Spirit.
He
fills us through all of our being with all of His fullness (Ephesians 3:16-19,
Amplified Bible). We represent Him in our world, because He keeps us, teaches
us and showers us with His love, unity and grace (Psalm 121; Jude 24, 1 John
2:27, 4:17)
Prayer:
Father
God, thank You for providing each of us with a breaking point in our life that
allows us to leave this earthly realm by Your Spirit and to see and hear the
heavenly realm right here in our world. We see things from the perspective of
Your heart and we walk in the power of Your might; not lifted up with human
pride but motivated and empowered in meekness by Your sacred heart (Matthew
5:5).
You
stripped us of our self-sufficiency and taught us that we cannot ever control
life or manipulate people enough to feel safe in this world. Once we realize
our insufficiency, You are our sole sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5). Life may
still make us nervous and the unknown future may still shoot a bolt of terror
through our heart, but You teach us to entirely place our every care on Your
strong shoulders, because You always care for us.
Thought
for the Day:
No concern of ours is too small or complicated for God to use to shower us with His blessings, once we totally surrender to His will in all things - whether we suffer deprivation or we rejoice with every good and perfect gift, which comes only from God.
No concern of ours is too small or complicated for God to use to shower us with His blessings, once we totally surrender to His will in all things - whether we suffer deprivation or we rejoice with every good and perfect gift, which comes only from God.
