Control

I admit it!  I'm a control freak by nature.  Not only do I want to know the outcome before I start, I tend to try to plan everything in my life to guarantee the outcome I desire.  But the truth is life doesn't work that way.  It rarely cooperates!  All my nicely laid plans tend to fall like dominoes and I'm left staring at the mess.

God keeps reminding me I don't need to carry the outcome in my hands.  All my striving doesn't guarantee anything anyway.  This is true in relationships, in business, and in life.  I don't need to have every answer ahead of time.  I don't need to constantly run through every scenario in my head in preparation.  I just need to do what I'm called to do and give it my best.  The rest is up to God. 

I Corinthians 3:7 puts it this way: "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."  When I hold onto this scripture and place my focus on God, He leads me down a calm path.  I'm not worried about the outcome anymore; it's in His hands.  I can simply focus on doing what He's calling me to do.  Then, even if all the dominoes still fall, I can see the pattern they make and find meaning in the process.  I stay centered, at peace. 

For further thought: Psalm 23:1-4 "The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always^.   He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water.  He soothes my fears; He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.

Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness, I am not overcome by fear.  Because You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am comforted."