A Prayer to Resist Control and Rest in God's Sufficiency - Your Daily Prayer - April 16
A Prayer to Resist Control and Rest in God's Sufficiency
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God. - 2 Corinthians 3:5
Listen or Read Below:
A few weeks ago, the load of my life felt so heavy that my anxiety started to spiral out of control. There were moments I literally felt like my body would collapse and my heart might fail. I’d been navigating an extremely difficult season, combined with the numerous needs of my people, the countless commitments I’d made, and the endless expectations I put on myself. And suddenly, I was facing an impending snowstorm that was sure to throw a giant wrench into all my plans. I recall frantically grasping for control amidst my swelling circumstances. Which, among many other anxious indicators, was apparent in my compulsion to refresh my weather app every 30 seconds. But I could hardly help it. I was already maxed out on life, and now I needed to deal with this major disruption that would require me to readjust my entire life, it seemed. And I just didn’t have it in me.
How about you? Can you recall a time you couldn’t take much more? When you had reached your limit and could hardly fathom how you would keep it all together. Or how you’d manage without making a total mess in your path, or keep from completely crumbling? And I wonder if you’re also quick to grasp for control. Maybe you’re in the midst of a scenario like this right now. I feel it.
But personally, my perplexity is this: Why do I always feel like it's all up to me? Why do I think I have to control it all? Like I’m the one actually in control? Maybe you feel this too. And why do we tend to measure our capacity against our own seeming strength? Because I, for one, know how limited my ability can be at times. Most of the time. Seriously, I don’t know about you, but it seems I’m constantly wearing thin from the steady stream of struggle. But I know better. I know where my power actually comes from. And it’s not from me. And yours isn’t from you.
2 Corinthians 3:5 says, Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.
The truth is, we are not strong enough to handle everything that comes our way in life. We are not strong enough to control our suffering, our struggles, or the surprise storms. Many days, we aren’t even capable of dealing with our normal routines and the monotonous, simple tasks with sufficient smiles, energy, and joy. And we weren’t meant to. Our sufficiency isn’t in and from us. As 2 Corinthians 3:5 reminds us, our sufficiency is from God. He is the source of every ounce of our strength. He is our strength. When we acknowledge this, we find great relief. Because when we realize we can’t and aren’t producing our own strength, we can resist stressing and striving and wearing ourselves down to nothing. We can release control. Because God is the one in control. So we can rest. And isn’t that what we’re often desperate for? Rest? I know I am.
We could plot our plans to go the way we want. We could spin our wheels, strive, and strategize to make things happen the way we think they should. We could manipulate details to create the outcomes we desire (I know I’m super guilty of this). But ultimately, whatever God wants will be. His plan always prevails. And he wants us to trust his plan. He wants us to rest in his plan. To rest in his control, his strength, and his sufficiency.
I know there’s a lot looming around you. So much stuff and struggle surrounding you. But the control doesn’t belong to you. And it doesn’t belong to me. So we can let up a little, release control, and rest knowing our sufficient Savior has a good plan. I can. And you can. And in his power, he will bring about that which you think is up to you. Because God always provides perfectly. God always provides precisely what we need. And precisely when we need it. Let’s rest in that.
Let’s Pray:
Father God, You are my all-sufficient Savior. And you care so perfectly for every detail of every one of my days. I confess my tendency to try to take control of my life. To bypass your strength and instead run ahead in my own. But my capacity is limited. My striving and stressing wear me down, the weight becomes too heavy, and I know I need your help.
Help me remember that you are the one who holds all power, that you are the one who provides my strength, and that you will supply exactly what I need, and always. Lord, help me to resist control. Help me to rest in your sufficiency. Help me to rest in you. I praise you for your power that fills every gap, and your peaceful presence that fills my entire soul.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
Related Resource: What If God’s Heart Toward You Is Kinder Than You Think?
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