to my fellow {recovering} control freaks

December 10, 2012 By • 8 Comments
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Hi my name is Lara and I’m a recovering control freak. Seriously. I used to alternate our dinner plates by color. The ones inside the cupboard that no one saw. Can we say “issues”?.

But God gave us three kids in four years and all color-coding fell apart. Then our marriage walked through a dreaded valley and my soul fell apart. And I finally had ears to hear my God whisper in sweet perfection, “Child, you are not the one in control.”

*Deep. slow. sigh.*

 

God's on His throne

 

Thinking we have life under our control — or not — is simply an illusion. Because only One reigns. And He has authority over every storm, every bird, every heart, every principality of darkness, every cell, and every disease.

Rest comes upon us when we let go of our grip. When we let go of the people and things we’re desperately trying to fit into our box of how life should play out, and grab hold of the One who’s sitting secure on His throne.

That taking hold of Him is done in the moments. It’s done when our feelings react, or overreact, and we run to the laundry room and remind our heart of truth. That’s when His peace guards us. He promised.

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

 

Because He’s got this, wrapped tight in His perfect love. And He can be fully trusted with every detail of our lives.

Looking forward with expectation,
Lara from ToOverflowing.com
 
Any other recovering control freaks out there?
What encourages you to get past that feeling of needing to control ev.er.y.thing?
 

Lara

Speaker and writer, Lara Williams ministers with a passion to see God's Word affecting the moments of our daily lives as children of the King. You can find out more about her at www.LaraWilliams.org or read her blog at www.ToOverflowing.com/about.

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8 Comments • Filed Under: Being a Light, Marriage, Motherhood
  • http://www.eileenknowles.com EILEEN

    I have no clue what you are talking about. ;) Yes, I am in this club too. It’s good to be recovering.

    • http://www.larawilliams.org LARA GIBSON WILLIAMS

      Yes it is, Eileen. :)

  • JEN

    Thanks Lara. We just booked out Christmas-to-see-the-grandparents flight last night and I needed to see that scripture this morning. I cut and pasted it to a ‘sticky note’ on my desktop. :)

    • http://www.larawilliams.org LARA GIBSON WILLIAMS

      Yes, Jen. It is one of those I need tattooed on my hand. (or something) Be anxious for nothing. Blessings to you in your Christmas plans!

  • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ KIM HALL

    Oh, I am so familiar with that voice and the sound of my resigned sigh, and often find myself returning to that very same verse. Quite humbling for someone who thought they never had control issues, but whose family has held up the mirror oh, so gently, so I can see it for myself.

    • http://www.larawilliams.org LARA GIBSON WILLIAMS

      The mirror is painful, isn’t it Kim. God is gracious not to leave us in our mess. (And so patient in the process of sanctification.)

  • http://www.sundijo.com SUNDI JO GRAHAM

    I admit, I too am a recovering control freak.

  • DANNY

    Lara, I agree that religious faith is an effective way for many people to let go of control. There are other effective ways as well, including accepting life “as it is”, processing the fears that cause us to control, and recognizing that we are powerless over people and most things. I write about the harms of excessive control and how to let it go at Danny’s Decontrol Yourself Blog.

    Danny