Daily Power #362

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. (Prov. 16:1 ESV)

After Christmas, there’s usually quite a bit of cleaning up to do—all that wrapping paper, some of the leftover treats, tinsel tracked all over the house. Over the years, I’ve learned that my wife likes being a good steward of whatever activities take place in our house. Who knew that some types of wrapping paper can be recycled but not others? Or that the dishes should be loaded into the dishwasher a certain way? They don’t teach us in Man School that you should leave parallel lines in the carpet while vacuuming.

I’ve learned to surrender those areas to Amy. The only things I try to control are, well, everything else. We joke about it, but it can be a real problem. I like to control when we leave, when we arrive, how everyone is dressed, how they act, what they say, and the list could go on and on. Controlling is a problem for me—not just during the chaotic holidays but all year long.

How about you? Are there areas of your life that you try to control that aren’t yours to control? Are you trying to manipulate outcomes rather than trusting in God? Are you frustrated when you don’t get to have things your way?

I’m trying to live the important principle that you can have faith, or you can have control, but you can’t have both. If you’re trying to control something that isn’t yours to control, try trusting it to God. Surrender it to him. He’s way more experienced at being God than you are. And you can always trust him.

Power Lift

As this year comes to a close, Lord, I give you thanks and praise for all you’ve done for me. Today I surrender control for the year ahead and give it to you.