We’ve all been there. A situation arises which needs our immediate attention. It’s a crisis. Intervene must take place posthaste before disastrous consequences befall.
But we can’t. Despite our best intentions, efforts and planning, we simply don’t have the influence to fix the problem. Our limited power means we sit on our hands when all we want to do is exert every ounce of energy to control the outcome and avoid disaster.
It happens when our child has a problem at school that he must navigate for himself. You’d love to crawl in the kid’s brain and do the talking for him as he faces down a bully. But you’re stuck at home, most likely fretting until he hits the front door at 3:30 and you can finally ask, “How was your day?” And you know what’s really not fun about your child having problems at school? It’s never just one day, right? You’ve got years before graduation, so buckle up.
Or, here’s another one that may hit home. How about when you’re out of work and no matter the quality and reach of your resume, no one calls for an interview. You’ve prepared meticulously for every possible question from “Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses” to “Explain why should we hire you out of all the other qualified candidates.” But months go by and you never get the chance to tell anyone where you see yourself in five years.
How about this one? You need to sell your house. After painting and cleaning and painstaking efforts at creating curb appeal, you wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Agonizing, isn’t it? You need these things to happen. It’s critical! Something is at stake–something HUGE like my heart, my home, my future–and the outcomes are completely out of my control.
Last year, I decided I’d had enough of perfectionism. It was killing me, trying to do everything at 1000% all the time. But here’s one of the most valuable things I discovered while peeling back the sticky layers of works-based fulfillment . . . are you ready? It’s shocking. It will knock your fuzzy socks right off your feet.
Everything is out of your control. Absolutely everything. All the time. Everyday.
Any time you think that the outcome is sure–especially if you believe the outcome is certain based on your ability to perform the desired result to fruition–look out. That’s pride, and sooner or later it will take you down.
Here’s another shocking revelation–SHOCKING, I tell you!
Nothing is out of His control. Ever.
A family I love dearly is dealing with an unexpected health crisis. Things were rocking along nicely and WHAM!–they got a hard kick in the gut. I’m sure they feel as if they are falling from the sky–wanting to grip something, anything, to end the drop.
My family was in a situation like this in 2011 when my father was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He didn’t live long after the diagnosis. I will never forget my mother’s words, not long after he died, “It feels like life is careening out of control, but God has a purpose.”
None of this is a surprise to Him. He knows what He’s doing.
We like to say that He’s got the whole world in His hands. But really, so powerful is our Savior’s word that He holds the entire universe together with its power.
If we need something to grab hold of, there really is nothing–or no one–else. Believe me, y’all, I’m reaching, too.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
As always, I’m praying for readers to find this post who need the truth here.
Katie
Katie Prescott Beasley 