Reality Check: Who's In Control?
By Nancy Hughes
Key Verse:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
“He’s going to college, Lord…COLLEGE!!!! What if he meets the wrong people? What if he doesn’t study and loses his scholarship? What if someone hits him over the head and takes his money? What if he doesn’t match the right shirt with the right pair of jeans? What if? What if? What if? What if?” Calm and reason gave way to unreasonable in a matter of seconds. Ever been there?
Well, I was. Our oldest, our son Tyler, was heading to a college only about 40 miles away. To me it might as well have been across the country, the sea, and on a completely different continent. I realized that I was worrying and fearful, but isn’t that on a mother’s job application? “Must be able to worry and be fearful on demand.” However, something happened…this worry and fear that I entertained occasionally with a cup of tea and two cookies became a never-ending 8-course meal. I found myself unable to do anything without those two sins (and they ARE sins) popping up in my mind.
I had gotten to the point of allowing common sense and sanity to be overrun with what could be called an obsession with Tyler leaving when the Lord decided He had had enough. One evening I was praying about the move away from home when the Lord spoke quietly but firmly to my heart: “ Nancy, I’ve checked and the college Tyler is going to is within my territory. It’s on my beat. It’s on my shift. I do not need a map. I KNOW where it is, Nancy. And I love Tyler.” Talk about a reality check!
It was easy for me to trust the Lord with my son’s life when Tyler was right in front of me and living in my house. But the minute I saw that he was going to be out of my control, I lost control and became a maniac. Every Scripture that I had memorized about a Father Who is in control and Who knows all things and Who takes care of us and protects us was replaced with doubt and a franticness that threatened to consume me.
What had happened? I had allowed Satan to creep in and steal my confidence in my Father. Instead of praising the Lord for Tyler and asking Him to guide and direct my son as he moved in a new direction in his life, I focused on the situation and not on the Source of strength and power. Instead of realizing that no matter where my son is, my Father is in complete control, I had somehow thought that I was the one in control and that my son’s success or failure in life would solely depend on his living under my roof where I could keep an eye on every move and every decision.
So what did I do? I got on my knees and asked my Father to forgive me for not trusting His plan and protection for my son’s life. My heart cried out “He is yours, Father. You have entrusted him to me for this time on earth and I trust You to do Your will in his life.”
Would you believe that my son did just fine at college? He did. Would you believe that the Lord watched over Tyler and directed his path? In every way, yes. And would you believe that Satan still tried to sneak into my thoughts and convince me that, without me at the controls of his life, Tyler was destined for one horrible problem after another? Oh, yes, he tried. But each time Satan whispered his lies, I focused on a Father who says in Isaiah 43:1”…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (NIV)
He knows my son’s name and He knows your name, too. We are His children and we are created by a Father who wants to take care of us and to direct our lives as we face new challenges and situations every day. May I encourage you today to hand every situation in your life to the One who is in control of heaven and earth, sky and sea, and yes, of your life and mine. The Creator does not need directions to your home. He simply needs permission to enter your heart and take control.
Prayer:
Father, you are in control of all things because you are the Creator of everything. Forgive me for forgetting that nothing happens in my life that does not first pass through your hands. Help me to daily give you every situation and problem and concern in my life and trust you to take control. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Before getting out of bed every morning, pause for 2 minutes and give the Lord the day that is before you and every situation in it. Ask Him to help you to trust Him to handle everything that comes your way and praise Him for His answers.
Write down Scriptures on index cards that encourage you to trust the Lord and tape them on the inside of kitchen cabinet doors, over your washer or dryer, or on your mirror. Say them out loud until you have them memorized. Then make new cards and repeat the process.
Reflection Points:
What is your first reaction when you feel you are not in control of a situation? Is it worry or prayer?
Do you have a prayer warrior who will hold you accountable when you begin to worry over problems instead of placing them at the feet of Jesus?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NIV)
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV)
I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (NIV)
I Cor. 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” (NIV)
Copyright © October, 2006 – Nancy Hughes. All rights reserved.
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