Control Freak

Control: To have power over. Webster's Dictionary explains that to control something, you must have power over it. I have been dealing a lot with control in my own life and learning each day that in reality, I don't have the power to control anything.

I have never really thought of myself as a control freak. I like to think I turn most of my major concerns over to God and let Him deal with things in His way and in His time. However, God sees things from a different point of view and has definitely shown me lately that I am more of a control freak than I ever imagined.

God has really shown me in recent weeks that, more than anything, I want to control what other people think about me. I want to have the power over how they feel about me and who I am. Just like most people, I long for others to like me, love me, and respect me.

I've really been seeking God on this and asking Him to take control and allow me the strength and courage to give up that control. I never imagined the journey that He would take me on to allow me to do just that.

Recently, I felt like God gave me a picture of what it looks like when He is in total control. I pictured a courtroom with God in the judge's seat. There were seats for a jury but they were empty. There were seats for attorneys, but they were empty. There were seats for onlookers, press, and others interested in the trial, but you guessed it, they were empty.

The more I thought about this picture, the more I understood what it meant...

No jurors - It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about me. I don't have to answer to a jury of my peers. I simply have to answer to the judge and that judge is God.

No attorneys - I don't need anyone to plead my case for me. It is wonderful to have people pray for me and with me. However, it is important that I also understand that I can come to the Father boldly and know that He will listen and respond with grace and mercy each and every time.

No audience - I need to stop worrying about pleasing everyone around me. I constantly worry that I have hurt someone's feelings, disappointed someone, or caused someone to dislike me. At some point, we have to realize that being who we are is all that we can do and as Christians, we can only be who we are in Jesus.

Psalm 26:2 says, "Put me on trial, Lord, and cross examine me. Test my motives and affections."

If God tested your motives and affections, would He see that your motives were to please Him and only Him? Would He see that your affections are His? Or would He see that you are motivated to please others and gain the affections of this world?

I truly believe as women we all struggle with wanting approval from others. We so desperately want to please others that we often lose sight of who our judge really is.

This week, as you face control issues, whether it be trying to please others, or just trying to get things to go the way that YOU had planned, picture that courtroom. Close your eyes and picture an empty courtroom with only you and God. Thank Him for being everything that you need. Ask Him to put you on trial and change your heart. You'll be amazed at the things He will teach you and show you when you make yourself vulnerable to His will.

Some Things to Think About:

1. Do you worry more about what others think than what God thinks of you?
2. Do you sometimes feel like you have a jury that you must answer to?
3. Do you see yourself as a people pleaser or a God pleaser?

Words of Worth:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

"Put me on trial, Lord, and cross examine me. Test my motives and affections." Psalm 26:2