Giving It Up

Chaos can drive us crazy.  When all seems out of our control, it can be frustrating and debilitating.  We don’t know what to do with it all.  We seek out things to control – anything that will help us regain the sense that it is not all unraveling.  Chaos leads to decisions which are rushed and not always the best.  Anger seems to surface to unleash the fear.  Our minds tell us we are a victim and there is nothing we can do.  Our bodies react to the stories we tell ourselves.  We either feel defeated or we come out fighting.  Either can be destructive.

What do we do when chaos ensues?  It always seems to show up at the most inopportune times.  We are often unprepared.  We are taken by surprise and all we know to do is react.  But what if the point of life is not control?  What if we readily relinquish control to the One who is the Creator of it all?   What if, instead of reacting, we prepare by learning to give over control to the only One who can actually bring all back into order?  Could it be that in the process we realize we were never in control of anything anyway?  We might just understand we had a false sense of security in things rather than finding true security in God.  

It’s difficult – I’m the first to admit.  And this doesn’t mean we give up our sense of responsibility.  There are things to do.  We are here for a purpose.  We are not a mistake nor are we a failure.  We are children of the Most High God.  That alone gives us enough purpose to move forward.  But it seems to me we could rest better and function more adequately if we stop trying to control things and follow the leading of God.  I always try to remember I cannot control anyone but myself.  And maybe, the answer is for me to give myself to God – he created me and certainly knows what is best.  Maybe giving up control doesn’t lead to chaos.  Maybe it leads to peace when the control is given to God.  

Matthew 7

⁹ Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? ¹⁰ Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!