Learning to Let Go of Control: When You Can’t Fit the Limitless God into a Box

Very few people alive today can argue that this year has been one of the most challenging around the world in history. Yet, it has pushed us to do one thing – let go of control. But how do you relinquish the urgency you feel to control a situation? How do you stuff the limitless God and His authority and will into a box? Answer: you can’t.

However, you can learn to strengthen your faith and give the reins back to God. The truth is that not everything is your responsibility. You cannot control the actions of other people, natural disasters, diseases, viruses, or death. You just aren’t that powerful.

But God is. Shifting our perspective to give the responsibility to the heavenly Father releases us from the anxiety and depression that often develop in these troubling times. Keeping a vertical perspective rather than a horizontal perspective will help bring peace and comfort to us as this earth is not our home. Our hope is in Christ Jesus and our citizenship is in heaven.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. — John 14:1-3

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is a powerful gift from God given to everyone that seeks His face. Prayer is direct communication to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. In turning to God in repentance, faith, and humble submission, you can be assured that God will hear you.

Prayer does not have to mean a long, lengthy speech with complicated words. God hears you when you cry out to Him, even in your head. You should approach Him as your Father that loves and adores you and is willing to listen to what troubles you. But even if you cannot formulate the words, His word says that He understands your groanings and utterings through the Holy Spirit. He knows what is in your heart.

Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. – Romans 8:26

The Power of His Word

Do you really need to read your Bible? Joshua 1:8 is a command from the Lord, “The Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

The Scriptures are not merely a history of God’s people and a guide, but it is first and foremost a revelation of Himself. It is literally God’s word. As you study His Word, you may begin to feel a spiritual pull, a connection with God, as His Spirit works to help you make connections that are relevant to you today.

Pray before you meet with God daily to read His word. Ask Him for knowledge, wisdom, and peace, and to show you what He wants you to learn. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

When to Ask God to Take Control

Trusting God when you cannot see Him requires faith. Although you cannot see him face-to-face yet, you can strengthen your relationship with God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit, so that you can feel His presence. It takes surrendering yourself and your expectations to Him.

Certain areas of your life are tougher to “let go and let God” than others. Your health, family, basic needs, finances, and future are all in His hands, but He says that if you commit your works to Him that He will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3)

Your Health

Our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and we should treat it with respect and care for as long as we have this temporary vessel. This includes our physical, mental, and emotional health. However, diseases, viruses, and bacterial infections are mostly out of our control. We need to ask God for His provision to find the right physicians, counselors, and treatments. Ask Him to grant the doctors with wisdom and timely insight into your condition.

Begin your day with prayer. Thank God for the body and mind that you do have, and then ask Him to continue to bless and protect your health. Ask Him to lead you to the right people for your circumstances. Do everything within your power and knowledge to become healthier, but keep in mind that ultimately, our Sovereign God has a plan for your life, and He is in control.

Your Family

For most people, the family is at the center of the universe. It can be hard to remember that God created family, marriage, and parenthood. It is sobering to realize that the people whom we love the most are only on loan to us for a while.

Family members are also human beings in a fallen world. Sometimes the things they say or do cut deeper than any two-edged sword. God knows that. He knows the hurt and the pain. He knows the dangerous situations that they are placing themselves in, and yet, He wants them to turn to Him. Your prayers are powerful in this area. Do not stop bringing their names to God’s ear but give God room to move. His Spirit moves into the crevices of the heart where you cannot.

Your Basic Needs

Water, food, shelter, and clothing. These are the things we all need to survive. However, many people do without one or all these things. If you are worried about meeting your basic needs, remember what Jesus said:

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.” – Luke 12:22-23

God knows what you need. Pray and ask Him to send you the opportunities and people into your life. Ask for spiritual insight to recognize an excellent opportunity from God that can help you find a more secure place to meet your needs.

Your Finances

Throughout the Bible, the writers told stories about how God’s people listened to Him and obeyed His laws. When they did, God blessed them. Sometimes this was a financial blessing. Did they win the lottery? No. In most cases, they worked, saved, and invested in growing their income and wealth.

This may sound strange if you are struggling financially. How will obeying, praying, and studying God’s word help you out of financial mistakes or a lack of income? It comes down to surrendering your expectations and seeking God’s direction for your life.

The important thing to remember is that God will supply your needs both spiritually and physically according to His will. He will change the desires of your heart to align with His desires which are eternally focused. Trust in God’s sovereign providence.

Be confident in God’s promise to provide all your needs and remember that what you think you need may not be what God knows you need. Additionally, God desires for us to focus on the spiritual needs of others rather than our material needs and wants. Trust His provision. God provides our finances and the means to obtain them. He expects us to be good stewards of what He provides.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8

Your Future

The only security we have as Christians is to know that one day, we will see God. Your future rests in Him. Use your prayer time to seek His face and ask for wisdom. A Christian counselor or pastor can help you make plans and refine the vision you have for your life, but God holds the future even in the face of defeat. What he has ordained, neither man nor anything can stop. Let go of worry and trust Him with everything that matters to you.

Christian Counseling for Learning to Let Go

As you continue to develop your spiritual life, you will see how it positively affects your mental wellbeing. If you need help learning to let go, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would love to work with you to better your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.