Are You Trusting God or Trying to Control Everything?

Life often feels like a balancing act—one where we teeter between trusting God and clinging to control. It’s human nature to want certainty. We crave plans, predictability, and the assurance that everything will turn out as we hope. But as followers of Christ, we’re called to surrender our lives to God, trusting His plan even when it’s unclear or uncomfortable.

The Illusion of Control

Control gives us the illusion of security. We plan our days, set goals for the future, and work hard to make things happen. While planning and diligence are good, the problem arises when we elevate our control above God’s sovereignty. Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

When we cling too tightly to our own agendas, we risk leaving little room for God to work. We can become so focused on orchestrating outcomes that we fail to see the beauty of His timing and the perfection of His plans.

The Cost of Control

Trying to control everything comes at a cost. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and even spiritual burnout. We’ve all been there—agonizing over decisions, second-guessing outcomes, and feeling the weight of the world on our shoulders. But Jesus offers a different way. In Matthew 11:28-30, He invites us to rest in Him, saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

When we trust God, we trade the burden of control for His peace. Surrender doesn’t mean giving up; it means giving over—handing over our fears, plans, and desires to the One who knows what’s best for us.

Trusting God in the Unknown

Trusting God often means stepping into the unknown. It’s not always easy, especially when we can’t see the full picture. Abraham’s story in Genesis 12 is a powerful example of trust. God called him to leave everything familiar and go to an unknown land, promising to bless him and make him a great nation. Abraham obeyed without knowing all the details. His trust wasn’t in the plan but in the Planner.

In our own lives, trusting God might look like letting go of a job opportunity that isn’t right, releasing a strained relationship into His hands, or waiting patiently for His timing in a season of uncertainty. It’s in these moments that our faith grows deeper.

How to Surrender Control to God

1. Pray for Guidance: Bring your plans and worries to God in prayer. Ask Him to guide your steps and align your heart with His will.
2. Meditate on Scripture: Fill your mind with God’s promises. Verses like Proverbs 3:5-6 (“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”) can anchor your faith.
3. Release Your Fears: Identify the areas where you’re holding on too tightly. Consciously release them to God, trusting that He is in control.
4. Take One Step at a Time: Trusting God doesn’t mean having all the answers. Focus on the next step He’s calling you to take.

The Freedom of Trust

When we surrender our need for control, we find freedom. We discover that God’s plans are far greater than anything we could imagine. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.”

Trusting God doesn’t mean life will be free of challenges, but it does mean we’re never alone. He walks with us, providing strength, wisdom, and peace. So today, ask yourself: Are you trusting God, or are you trying to control everything? Let’s choose trust, knowing that His plans are always good.