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Control - Useful only at times, for there is a higher priority in life.
Most of us like to be in control, at least regarding whatever pertains directly to ourselves. We may have personal experience of being frustrated when we do not. However, we are not so desirous of being in charge that we would be willing to be seated in the cockpit of an airliner and start directing it to our destination. We recognize that we are not equipped for, nor even interested in, being in control of everything in the world about us. We are not always equipped with sufficient knowledge and expertise even for handling some personal matters, as when we become ill in a way that is unfamiliar to us.
When we are unable to manage things on our own, we rightly turn to others for help, relying on their abilities to control some of the things that we cannot. We may also turn to God, with a belief that at last, there is in God someone who is entirely and absolutely in control. However, we also believe that God creates us with freedom to choose and thereby turns over at least some manner of control to us. With God, then, the central issue is not control, but love.
When we entrust ourselves to God, and to others as well, we move out of the realm of control into the spiritual expanse of care, concern, positive regard, and all other aspects of love of which God makes us capable. When we seek help, we rely on God and others to act on our behalf, trusting that they have regard for our wellbeing. Even those who are paid for their services place at least some value on our welfare when they do something good for us, for ultimately, they have freedom to decide how they will respond to any request we make. God, who knows us better than we know ourselves, loves us entirely just as we are at each moment, though we might not recognize or appreciate how our needs are being met through this all-encompassing love.
We could think that trusting God is “giving up control,” but from the perspective of love, we give up nothing that we had, and we gain what we need. However, just as we have difficulty in distinguishing between wants and needs, so we might not always be pleased with God’s answers, especially at first. Upon reflection, we have never found that God erred in our regard. Even a clear “no” from God, which might have stung at first, turned into a peaceful recognition that we are where we belong. Peace ensues, even sometimes amid pain and suffering.
Far better for us to seek love rather than control.
Last Updated 10/11/2025