Do you struggle with God regularly over who has control? Over your plans, the future, or even just what happens next? But what about free will?

If giving up control is as much a struggle for you as it is for me, please, keep reading.

I’m going to tell you a little bit about what I’ve learned in my pursuit to trust God completely, and (much more importantly) a few Scripture-based tips about leaning into God’s power and presence.

We want to be in control of everything

There I am, reading devotionals, singing worship songs, and proclaiming my trust in God and all His ways. Meanwhile, in the back of my mind, I’ve already decided how my day, week, year, and whole life is supposed to go.

Sound familiar?

It’s easy to believe that you’re trusting God with every part of your life.

But as soon as something stops going our way, we are NOT happy.

Because of course, our plan is better, right? No? Yeah, it doesn’t make sense to me either.

But yet, here we are, in a power struggle with the God of the universe. 

It’s the reason that I get so frustrated when my child doesn’t listen or deviates from her usual routine.

Or the reason that I feel the need to be in charge of planning and executing every baby and bridal shower I’ve ever been part of.

I want to be in control of all the things, all the time. And how little control I’m willing to relinquish is not something I’m proud of.

 

This is where control gets complicated…

Total control is appealing but impossible.

If I had to guess, I’d say that you, like me, have struggled with God to take control of your life. Otherwise…. You probably wouldn’t be reading this blog post. 

Our battle for control is not only a wasted effort… but it tells God that His plan isn’t good enough, and ours is better. 

But from what I’ve found in scripture, read in books, and heard from friends - the fight for control isn’t uncommon.

 

“But it just isn’t FAIR”

I didn’t want to get laid off from my job when I was 12 weeks pregnant and with a 1.5-year-old at home. We needed my salary, we needed the security, and even though I was wildly unhappy at that company - it just wasn’t fair. I didn’t want God to change the plan. I didn’t want the pruning and refining. I didn’t want the struggle and sacrifice. 

I simply did not - would not - trust that God was in control and had a better plan for me.

See - I wasn’t going to leave that job myself. I was unhappy and it was a toxic work environment. But it was safe, stable (so I thought), and within my control.

Good ole’ complacency. 

But the thing is: God loves us far too much to leave us where we are. 

He acted on my behalf. He directed me towards His plan for me. 

And boy, was it uncomfortable. But I ended up exactly where I needed to be. More importantly, I ended up where God had prepared for me.

Even when it’s scary, even when it’s hard, He calls us to trust Him with the unknown. 

How do we accept God’s will?

Accepting God’s plan for our lives is a lifelong journey. Some days you’ll do better at it than others. I know I do.

Here are three applicable, Bible-based tips to help you relinquish control, trust in His plan, and seek God’s will for your life. 

      1. Pray About It

This might sound simple. But as the saying goes “We need to pray hardest when it’s hardest to pray”.

Using prayer as our first choice vs our last resort will change how we handle disappointments, setbacks, and when things don’t go our way.

When we pray to God, we’re admitting that He’s in control. We’re thanking Him for what He has done, asking for His guidance and help, and humbling ourselves to His power and plan.

“And pray in the [name of the Holy] Spirit on all occasions; with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
- Ephesians 6:18

      2. Reflect on All He Has Done

When you’re in the valley, it can be hard to remember the times that God placed you on the mountaintop. 

Whether it’s a gratitude journal, a note on your phone, or a daily reminder you wear - remember what God has carried you through before.

It’s easy to thank God when everything is good, but it requires humility and trust to continue to praise Him in the bad. 

Take a step back and count your blessings, no matter how small they seem in the moment.

When we reflect on His goodness, it becomes easier to trust Him.

He’s never failed you before, and He’s not going to start now. Even if it’s not how we thought it should look, God will always lead us to where we need to be. 

       3. Get in the Word

The Bible isn’t just a book of verses, commandments, and sermons. It’s a story of love, provision, and faith.

If you need to see what God can do - get in the Word.

You’ll find countless stories of what happens when people put their faith and trust in the Lord. There is nothing He can’t do.

Healing. Hope. Deliverance. Life. Joy. Peace. Freedom.

You name it. He can do it.

The Bible gives us book after book of His words, thoughts, and heart for us.
 

”The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions”.

He Makes a Way When We Can’t See the Next Step

You might not be able to see what happens next, but God can. When our plans fall apart and we don’t know what happens next - God does.

He’s shining a light into the darkest of corners. He’s making a path for you. 

Hold tight to Him. Trust Him, lean into Him. 

No uncertainty, no fear, no broken dreams or shattered plans could keep Him from you. That’s how much He loves you. 

Let Him lead you where you need to be. In my experience, it’s always been far better than what I had planned.