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UNCLENCH

“Let go and let God” is a statement that you have either said to someone or you’ve been told. I wonder how it felt receiving it. Naturally, human beings like control and we fight for it whenever the opportunity presents itself. Letting go is a foreign concept for many, yet it is required of us. But even when it seems implausible, we would rather die trying.

I have lived life seeking to know where everything is, preparing for situations in advance and needing to be well aware of my options so that no surprises creep in. I prepare my work schedule, I organize all my tasks and even more, technology has made it easier to the point that even the apps help in boosting our illusion of power. I like to carry everything extra just so I do not have to adjust- you know what I mean? The planner in me dislikes not knowing. I write down everything and the joys of crossing out a task is satisfying. Planning makes me feel in control, and I like being in control. 

Max Lucado says certainty is a cruel imposter and I could see how he arrived at this. Our need for certainty blinds us to the notion of control. In his book, Trade your cares for calm, he provides the cure for anxiety ; trust and release control, which truly is something we work at daily.

“Releasing control brings  us to a place of trust .When you release, you make room for His power.”

I read about people in the Bible who obeyed with no questions asked and I aspire to live life in that manner.  If I were Abram, with this deep desire to know everything, I would’ve probably responded to the command in Genesis 12:1 with “How long? Where will I stay? Which place is better? Will I have the same opportunities ?”

God works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11) and we aren’t looped in on all the details thus the need to trust His moment by moment revelation.

JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL

I imagine you are humming to the tune already. This is a song often sung whenever we are in trouble; when we need God to come to our aid and salvage the situation but when things go well, we don’t even let Him in the car let alone allow Him to take the wheel. I know you want to trust God, we all do. We will find ourselves in bleak situations, where then do we go?

“We can’t take control because control isn’t ours to take.” Max Lucado

Complacency? Certainly Not!

Every opportunity in life, especially the tough ones, usher us into deeper levels of trust. Even as we trust, we are invited to lay our supplications and have Him sift through every desire that He may establish it. Psalm 37:3-5, “Trust in the Lord…Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord.”  Matthew 7:7 “Ask, Knock, Seek.” All these are invitations to appeal to God. 

  • In our planning, let it not drive us into the trap of self sufficiency. Let it invite us to a place of reliance.
  • In our analysis, let us not seek to find reason for everything.
  • In changing situations and seasons, don’t be swept by the need to flow with the currents.

 

How does Control present itself? The phrases of “What if”, “How” “Then?” “Why not?”  is a huge sell out . We question and invent solutions to things God hasn’t even declared as problems.

Eve sought control and was lured into having her own way because the thought of being like God and having the power overtook the trust in God. This pursuit was in attempt to allude that God had kept back something they should have had(Genesis 3:6)

Sarah, though having received the promise, took matters into her own hands and attempted to help God. She felt the need to control the situation otherwise they would have no heirs (Genesis  16:2)

BENEFITS

Psalm 40:4 “How happy is the man who has put his trust in the Lord and has not turned to the proud or to those who run after lies!”

Calm and Peace

(Isaiah 26:3-4) Those whose imaginations are fixed on Him, He gives peace. Instead of living wondering how things will go, we have got to learn to look to Him and think about all the promises He has given us, allow ourselves to meditate on the core truth of His word which is the best guide for our lives, looking to Him for comfort, affirmation and direction.( Psalms 32:8)

Freedom and Rest

There is a certain freedom we enjoy when we have nothing to worry about. We shouldn’t even give room to worry. (Matthew 6:27) Even better put is how it pervades the notion of being taken care of. It is exactly what we get when we relinquish control and trust God. Going to Him for answers,  waiting for His go ahead  and only moving when He says move. I yearn for this kind of posture to be evident in my life ; that every situation takes me back to my creator. (1 Peter 5:7)  Don’t rob yourself rest by being adamant in running the show. Go to God for rest (Matthew 11:28-29)

Cultivates virtues such as contentment

Trusting God is knowing He has given you what you need; trusting that where he wants you He will lead you and that all you require  you are in possession of. Refer Psalms 23:1-3) Adopting this posture kills all the vices; jealousy, competition, envy and malicious acts of greed. Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6) and it is made possible  by unclenching.

HOW DO I UNCLENCH?

  • Be vulnerable. Pour your heart to Him. (Psalms 62:8.) He can handle your “bossy self” and He will invite you into the place of molding by making His supremacy and sovereignty visible. 
  • Stay in His presence; Prayer and Bible Study . Prayer is a sign of humility. His word will teach, rebuke and  correct you (2 Timothy 3:16)
  • Tune your ear to the heavenly signals- Just because He is on the wheel doesn’t mean He stops giving instructions or that He expects Passivity! (Psalms 130:5)

 

Above all, as you delight in Him, as you release the need for control and trust him, I pray that the Lord, in His glorious power, will be made manifest in your situation  and may He fulfil all the plans He has for you.

You are light and you are so loved. Stay anchored and keep His light shining through.

6 thoughts on “UNCLENCH

  1. Wow!!! I refuse the D.I.Y life. May I be vulnerable, Mai long for His presence and make a permanent residence, may I not stop hearing His voice. Thanks so much, dear, this is beautiful and an eye-opener.

  2. May I put my Trust in God knowing that He has given me all that I need and He will lead me where He wants me to be…?

    Thank you so much for this post. God bless you.❤

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