Your Will Be Done
Have you ever been in a season where you felt like you had no control over your life? It just seemed like life was moving, and you were just along for the ride?
I will let you in on a little secret about me: I can be a control freak. I do not like when things feel out of my control. I don’t like when it feels like I have no control over my calendar, let alone where I am going in my life.
Something I have learned over the past few years and am constantly reminded of is that control is a myth. The idea of control and being in charge of every single aspect of our lives is not a reality.
We see this in the big things. We know we can’t control gas prices or how much a loaf of bread costs. We can’t control if our favorite team wins the big game. We can’t control who is in the White House and the decisions they make. We know we don’t have control over these things, and often our reaction is to try to control the little things.
JOURNAL: What are some things that you’ve been trying to control in your life?
What I have noticed is that when I am in a season of “trying to control,” I tend to get really tired really quickly. Burnout happens because we’re trying to play God in our lives, and God never designed us to do that. We carry burdens and feel responsibility that isn’t ours to bear. We begin to live outside of His grace for our lives, and that is EXHAUSTING.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins to deal with this exact thing. First, He begins to teach those around Him how to pray.
“Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need,and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” - Matthew 6:9-13
“May your will be done." I used to look at this part as a prayer that was about God having His way all over the earth and I didn’t see it as a prayer that was affecting my life. What I see now is that this is a prayer for my life as well.
This is a very bold prayer. It is a prayer that calls me to let go of the steering wheel and let Him drive.
I’ve always had a hard time with surrendering control because I have always had a fear that someone wouldn’t look out for me or that I wouldn’t be taken care of.
What I love is that God already knew I would think this way. So a few sentences later, He answers my concerns.
“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." - Matthew 6:30-33
Not only does God call me to a place of surrender, He assures me that He is a Father that will take care of me. It’s a beautiful exchange!
Is there anything in your life that you need to give God control over? Is there something that you’ve been clinging to that has been wearing you down? God is madly in love with you, and He is always good. He has a plan and purpose that He is working out in your life. So as a country singer once said, “Jesus take the wheel."
PRAYER:
“Father, I am tired of trying to be in control. Today I want to surrender (insert what you’re surrendering). I trust that You are good and You will work to accomplish Your will. So God, may Your will be done in my life. I lay it at your feet. In Jesus name, amen.”
I will let you in on a little secret about me: I can be a control freak. I do not like when things feel out of my control. I don’t like when it feels like I have no control over my calendar, let alone where I am going in my life.
Something I have learned over the past few years and am constantly reminded of is that control is a myth. The idea of control and being in charge of every single aspect of our lives is not a reality.
We see this in the big things. We know we can’t control gas prices or how much a loaf of bread costs. We can’t control if our favorite team wins the big game. We can’t control who is in the White House and the decisions they make. We know we don’t have control over these things, and often our reaction is to try to control the little things.
JOURNAL: What are some things that you’ve been trying to control in your life?
- How people view you?
- God’s purpose for your life?
- Your career?
- If the people around you have a relationship with Jesus?
What I have noticed is that when I am in a season of “trying to control,” I tend to get really tired really quickly. Burnout happens because we’re trying to play God in our lives, and God never designed us to do that. We carry burdens and feel responsibility that isn’t ours to bear. We begin to live outside of His grace for our lives, and that is EXHAUSTING.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins to deal with this exact thing. First, He begins to teach those around Him how to pray.
“Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need,and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” - Matthew 6:9-13
“May your will be done." I used to look at this part as a prayer that was about God having His way all over the earth and I didn’t see it as a prayer that was affecting my life. What I see now is that this is a prayer for my life as well.
This is a very bold prayer. It is a prayer that calls me to let go of the steering wheel and let Him drive.
I’ve always had a hard time with surrendering control because I have always had a fear that someone wouldn’t look out for me or that I wouldn’t be taken care of.
What I love is that God already knew I would think this way. So a few sentences later, He answers my concerns.
“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." - Matthew 6:30-33
Not only does God call me to a place of surrender, He assures me that He is a Father that will take care of me. It’s a beautiful exchange!
Is there anything in your life that you need to give God control over? Is there something that you’ve been clinging to that has been wearing you down? God is madly in love with you, and He is always good. He has a plan and purpose that He is working out in your life. So as a country singer once said, “Jesus take the wheel."
PRAYER:
“Father, I am tired of trying to be in control. Today I want to surrender (insert what you’re surrendering). I trust that You are good and You will work to accomplish Your will. So God, may Your will be done in my life. I lay it at your feet. In Jesus name, amen.”
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