Letting Go of Control

I am letting go of control, because the battle is always the Lord’s. So much is going on right now in the world. I have been recently reading an AW Tozer book, and he talked about this concept. He quotes the verse:

1 Samuel 17:47

“⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

So many people are fighting God’s battles for Him. I think that I tend to want to speak out against issues going on in the world, but have to remind myself that it is not my place. I am choosing to just give it to God. Some people may be called to do speak about certain things, but I know for myself that it is not what I am called to do. Not everyone is called to do everything. With wars, shortages on baby formula, pro life bills being talked about, and gender identity issues going on it is enough to drive someone crazy. All of this after the 2 year long pandemic we are all just coming out of. I don’t even watch the news, but it is all over social media. It spreads like wildfire.

Seeking Refuge in Jesus

I have been searching for just scripture and words from Christians who talk about seeking shelter, and refuge in Jesus to find answers. Isn’t It incredible that we can just lay it all down at His feet, and let it go? I find this pretty comparable to minimizing my house. I am choosing to give it all to God, and to just trust that He knows best. Letting God have control is hard for a lot of us. We want to feel like we are doing something, but in reality letting it go to the creator of the universe is the best thing we can do. He is the one who is capable of changing it.

“Commend all to God and then lie still and be at rest in his bosom.”

One of the people I look up to is Elisabeth Elliot, which is no surprise to anyone who has been following my instagram account for any amount of time. lol! She quoted someone who had something profound to say about this. Here is a quote by St. Francis De Sales, ” Strive to see God in all things without exception and a ques( Not sure if that is spelled correctly) His will absolute submission, do everything for God uniting yourself to Him by a mere upward glance or by the overflowing of your heart towards him, never be in a hurry, do everything quietly, and with a calm spirit. Do not loose your peace for anything whatsoever even if your whole world seems upset.

Commend all to God and then lie still and be at rest in his bosom. Whatever happens abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to Him trusting to His eternal love for you, and if you find that you have wandered forth from this shelter recall your heart quietly and simply. Maintain a holy simplicity of mind. Do not smother yourself with a host of cares, wishes, or longings under any pretext.”

No matter what is going on lean on Him. He is ultimately the only one in control of all of the chaos. He can change it if He chooses. Are we willing to just let it go? Stop the madness and just breath. Just allow Him to refine us. To really give us peace that passes all understanding. Here are a few verses I found that talk about just that.

Psalms 57: 1

¹ Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
    until the disaster has passed.

Psalm 33:20-22

²⁰ We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
²² May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you.

Psalms 32:6-7

⁶ Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
    will not reach them.
⁷ You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Hebrews 12:28-29

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Psalm 55:22

²² Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.

Romans 12:19

¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 5:38-39

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

I hope this is a source of hope for you that God is in control. He ultimately wins the battle. We just need to be obedient to His calling, and give it all to Him. We may not understand any of it, but He knows what He is doing. There is a simplicity in that.

I know how much of a struggle it can be when you are someone who has a very hard time letting go of control. The verses below have been my personal favorite, that I cling to.