Control Feels Safer Than Trust - Encouragement for Today - June 9, 2026
Control Feels Safer Than Trust
NICHOLE J. SUVAR
Lee en español
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (ESV)
“How about we go camping this weekend?” my husband asked. I stared at him in exasperation.
We were in the middle of an incredibly demanding season. Our oldest child had started college, our middle was in her senior year of high school, and our youngest had started driving with her learner’s permit. I was struggling with an autoimmune disorder with no signs of remission, and we were neck deep in hospital bills for our daughter’s medical needs.
The thought of camping, relaxing around a fire, listening to nature’s sounds, and hiking sounded amazing. But there were too many things going on for me to drop everything for a weekend. Exhausted, I could have used the time away, but I felt like I couldn’t leave.
My response to my husband’s question wasn’t just about my love for my family or my efforts to have a “servant’s heart.” Wrapped around my desire to serve were the roots of control … and fear. I handled everything at home because I liked the sense of control it gave me. Although other things overwhelmed me, I could focus on my to-do list, stay organized, and find false safety.
This kind of control is about trusting ourselves, not God. We may say that we trust God to provide for our family’s needs, but our actions show that we’re afraid to surrender and actually trust Him.
What might happen if we aligned our hearts and actions with Scripture?
In Psalm 27:1, David proclaimed: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” If we also believe that God is all of that in our lives, why do we rely on ourselves to keep everything together?
Do you feel most comfortable when you’re the one in control? How often do you release the reins on everyday tasks and allow others to help you, trusting that God has control over that too?
Control can feel comforting, but it’s a fragile substitute for trust.
To realign our hearts to trust God more than ourselves, we need to recognize that our need for control might be rooted in fears that God doesn’t have our best interests at heart, that He won’t come through, or that He doesn’t care. A good place to start is by speaking Psalm 27:1 aloud when our need for control arises. We can proclaim that our Father is our safe space and our salvation. We don’t need to fearfully control everything because He’s already holding it all together for us and wants what’s best for us.
I agreed to that camping trip after all … and it was worth every moment.
Father, I’m so grateful You’re the One who’s in control. Forgive me for trying to take over and hold everything together. Help me have the courage to release my control and to trust You to work everything out for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
If you’re exhausted from trying to hold everything together, I Don’t Have to Hold It All Together: Cultivating the Peace of Eden When Feeling Overwhelmed offers a grace-filled path back to God’s design for peace. Through seven truths from the first garden, Nichole J. Suvar helps you release control, quiet overwhelm, and rest in the steady care of the One who already holds it all. Get your copy today.
ENGAGE
Every week, Nichole sends out a short reflection in her email series, “The Quiet Becoming.” A thought, prayer, and intentional moment encourage you to slow down, look for God in the small moments, and align your heart with His. You can join “The Quiet Becoming” here.
Which attribute of Eden is your soul longing for? Find out with this 60-second quiz.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Colossians 1:17, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (ESV).
Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (ESV).
What feelings arise when you imagine releasing control? What scripture can you cling to for comfort?
What is one thing you can do this week to release control and allow someone to step in and help? Share with us in the comments!
© 2026 by Nichole J. Suvar. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
