Have you ever groaned, “I’m not in control!”? Former procrastinators, this phrase prompts negative and positive thoughts. Let’s look briefly at a few angles. Putting things off can cause us to identify with negative aspects of each of these.
There’s “I’m not in control” meaning “I can’t accept that somebody else has responsibility.” Sometimes it’s not appropriate to be in control. Enjoy! Let others develop talents and abilities. New vistas might open. Maybe through other methods those folks will come to the same place I desire. Maybe they’ll come to another place all together. Maybe what I desire is not the objective. God is at work in and through others– not just me. What a joy to see how He moves! What freedom to focus where I should! (It’s somebody else’s turn or I wasn’t chosen or the children grew up!)
There’s being “out of control” meaning “I’ve lost it, I’m not doing the job. Things are crazy. Will somebody, please, take charge?” (I ate half a carton of ice cream!)
There’s “I’ve lost control” meaning “I started okay, but now I’m not keeping up. We’re careening.” (Behind in school? Colleagues lost confidence?)
There’s “I’m not in control” meaning “I should not be held accountable. It’s not my fault if …” We claim this excuse as license for not doing our job or the most possible. (I’m waiting for my husband to… When acquisition comes through…)
We often have more control than we think we do – or than we want other people to think we do. We particularly have control of our attitudes and approaches to tasks or people. We have control over whether or not we get on a job in a timely manner and continue. We can pray and be faithful to fulfill our responsibilities.
If control is an issue, let’s get before the Lord for His perspective without delay. Let’s stop grasping at what isn’t ours to control. Where we are responsible, let’s step up to faithfulness.
God is in control. Hallelujah! As our son once reminded me, Let God do His job, Mom.
As God directs, we are to rule our spirits. Proverbs 25:28 describes those who cave in to emotions, circumstances, or blaming. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” Subject to pillage, destruction, loss. Doing what needs doing when it needs doing maintains city walls.
It’s not as important to be in control of others as it is to faithfully do what is before me as my own responsibility. Accepting whether or not I’m responsible for something provides me with bowling bumpers that help me know where I should or should not go. It helps me apply my energies in my lane and knock down the priority pins that are mine. (The Bumper Theme January 9, 2017)
In what area might you be struggling for control you should relax about? In what area might you need to be more faithful?
Beth, you hit the nail on the head! I am to “faithfully do what is before me as my own responsibility.” Not stepping outside the boundaries of where I am in life, but first being in control of what is right before me in my own home (however mundane the tasks may seem). Thank you my friend!
Thank you, Lynn! It’s so relieving to do this. It also removes a weapon of accusation the enemy likes to use against us. “You haven’t done so-and-so” holds no power when we know that “so-and-so” is not my responsibility.