Free of fear
Our mid week message last Wednesday was on the importance of loosening up our control on people and situations in order to not steal our joy or worse: turn our hearts bitter and angry.
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love and self-control “
2 Timothy 1:7
Last week, we identified Fear as a huge motivator of our controlling nature:
* Fear of what others think
* Fear of abandonment
* Fear of experiencing emotional pain
* Fear of loss of control
* Fear of failure
* Fear of disappointment
Let me digress for a second and highlight the difference between what is in our control and what is not.
You are absolutely in control of your own thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
Yet, as I've talked a lot about on Sundays at Beach Church, is that we need to hold each thought captive and examine it before letting it lead us in behavior or action. Some thoughts, especially those controlling ones, need to be throw out before they catch us on fire and blow up our relationships.
Now, for what you're not in control of, is other peoples thoughts, feelings and behaviors. This does not mean you shouldn’t be concerned with other people’s thoughts, feelings and actions, but we need to release the idea of attempting to control people or circumstances.
With the goal being entrust our concerns to God. The good news is that the more plugged in we are to the Kingdom the more the Lord's grace will provide us the discernment and the will to release our controlling cares and concerns to Him.
Today, I just want to make the simple suggestion when you feel that controlling lower nature come upon you to first hold it captive before walking it out, and secondly to take a minute to talk to God about it. By talking to God about it He will lead you to recognize His will and sovereignty from there He’ll do the heavy lifting by removing it from your shoulders as well as to provide you the grace you’ll need to stick with it.
Remember, When we try to control people or situations, we’re actually saying, “God won’t handle it the right way or my way, so I have to do it.”
The secret sauce to giving up control is to know the Lord is in control over all things.
“I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted”. ~Job 42:2
Choose to trust in God with all the things that concern you rather than trying to control the outcome of every life, event or person who’s in your life.
I remember when we felt moved to start Beach Church and how I immediately started thinking and saying to Paloma if we only do it, it will only be for 3 month or until Covid dies down and other churches can open up and that after things return to some normalcy we’ll return to the church we co-pastored.
I now realize that my control was a screaming testament of my distrust in God”. Yikes! I was simply trusting myself more than The Creator of the world.
I finally surrendered, albeit after being convicted ( 😂) and here we are 2 years later.
I also had the same experience when the Lord planted the idea to go to Poland, in that after He seeded the idea; I spent a lot of time trying to find reasons not to go, but this time I took my own advice and started talking to Him about it which included my fears and worries. Yet, I once again surrendered to His sovereignty and boy did He rain favour on me and the Mai sun he sent me on.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”
Proverbs 19:21
God’s purpose for His people, that means it does not include you controlling others or circumstances. He’s got His own bigger and better plans in mind. But it starts with you trusting Him and His plans for your life.
But let’s just strive for progress versus perfection as this will take a lifetime to get it right. The flesh is a powerful force! The good news is that the more we release control to God the easier it gets.
Question:
What area of your life do you need to put into God’s hands ?
Pastor Rick