"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:28
Are you a control freak? Do you struggle with the need to control others? There are two extremes —the need to control and the laissez-faire attitude where anything goes. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle. There are elements of control that enable our society to function orderly, and there are times when a little chaos within order promotes fun and creativity. The brilliant among us find ways to combine both extremes to produce the best results.
Many years ago, I worked with a man who fit the control freak title to a tee. The issue with control freaks is that, in their effort to control every aspect of their life, they believe they can control the overlapping aspects of the lives of others. It’s easy to see how this can lead to a totally frustrated life. A control freak is really hiding his/her inadequacies, especially the inability to adapt to change. And, if there is one thing we know for sure, it’s this; change is a vital part of living, and, everything must change! Unfortunately, an inability to change brings obsolescence; and with it, antiquated ideas concerning the reality of the world-at-large.
Here's the thing to remember when you decide you will be the ultimate control-freak. God created the world, yet He did not control Adam or Eve. He allowed them to determine their destiny, and ultimately ours. Jesus, who loves us dearly, could have manipulated the events leading to Calvary and His crucifixion; yet, He did not. So, here is my question. Why would you believe you can control elements outside of yourself? Why would you believe being the ultimate control-freak will work for you?
The fine art of being Christian is the ability to relinquish all cares, problems, and even people to God. In our growth we gain the understanding that we can only control ourselves, and even this, takes work. God gave us dominion; however, He gave us dominion as stewards, not as despots who would not acknowledge His sovereignty. So, today, leave room for the Spirit of God to come in. –Pray it up, let it go, and let God handle it! L.
Study Reference: Genesis 1:26-31
From: "The Control Factor." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock
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