April 28

Read Job 18, 19, 20, 21 – feel free to skim!

Job and his friends were obviously confused and sometimes condemning when it came to trying to make sense of Job’s suffering. Can’t we all relate to that? But again, Job leads us well. Even in the midst of all this turmoil, Job is able to come back to some very basic and life-giving beliefs. Job totally gets who is in control.

People with a history of hurts, habits and hang-ups rarely relinquish care and control of their lives without a lot of kicking and screaming. Even as I write this, I realize that what I’m saying isn’t quite true. The truth is, we do relinquish control. We give ourselves over to abusers, we give ourselves over to temporary solutions, we give ourselves over to our own minds. Maybe it’s not as simple as saying we have control issues. Could it be that what we really struggle with is idolatry? We want to determine who or what we worship. And we like our small gods. They don’t ask much of us.

Thought for today: Boy, I’m having a brain freeze thinking about this. How easy it is to say, “I have control issues.” It’s a nice, neat, flip response. Say that, and people nod their head in understanding. So let’s pause in our nodding and think about this. Control issues? Really? That may be true. But could it also be that we are out of control, and trying to regain control by exhibiting CONTROLLING BEHAVIORS.

So stop saying you have control issues as if that’s a virtue or a good excuse. List all the ways you attempt to control. Code words: rigidity and lack of spontaneity, manipulating others to gain approval, overreact to change, lack trust, judgmental attitude, intolerant, fear failure.
I attempt to control ____ because ____. This affects ____. This activates ____. This makes me feel ____.

Thought for tomorrow: Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV If you still want to hold on to that control issues excuse, be my guest. But I’m warning you: you don’t have the power to over-ride the prevailing purposes of God. So knock yourself out, but don’t be surprised by the results.