Whether We are overwhelmed with our busy lives and the daily demands made on us, or we are faced with projects that require more and more of our attention, we often strive to be in control. Our need for control can often be described as a ‘power trip’ that in hindsight was very unnecessary. Don’t confuse this with the very necessary self-control. What we are talking about is control of others, and of situations around us. Yet we might ask, when does our striving for control become a lack of faith in Almighty God?
Right and wrong ‘control’
The word ‘control’ in scripture is translated in the New American Standard Version from the words to ‘rule’ or ‘subdue,’ denoting to have rule over or subdue someone or something. In Genesis 1:28, God blessed Adam and Eve and told them to be ‘fruitful and multiply and to subdue the earth and have dominion over it,” indicating that the animals, fish, and beasts were theirs to control. What about other people? When David was king and wished to build a house for God, (I Chron. 17: 1-10), Nathan was instructed to tell David that God would build a house for David, and that He would subdue David’s enemies. Even when Israel had a human king, it didn’t stand in the way of the real King or His will being done.
Psalm 4/ reflects this sentiment: “He subdues peoples under us, and nations under our feet.” In Leviticus 25:43-46, the law was very explicit when it came to how the Israelites treated their fellow countrymen who became servauts to pay off a debt. They were not to ‘rule with rigour or severity,’ but to fear the Lord’ (KJV), or ‘revere your God’ (NASV). They were expected
remember their own need for God’s grace, and in turn to reflect that same spirit upon the ones who served them. Controlling a servant without kindness and compassion, or even controlling him/her outside of his duties wasn’t an option. In Gideon’s day, when the people of Israel asked him to ‘rule’ over them, Gideon refused, saying that God would ‘rule’ over them (Jud. 8:2223). This was something that Gideon obviously understood but which the people in Saul’s day chose to ignore when they rejected God from ruling over them (I Sam. 8:6-9).
God is in control
Often we think that if we could control certain events or people, we would be fulfilling God’s will, and solving a problem. David is one man who waited for God’s time and allowed Him to control his life no matter how terrible things became. For years he ran from Saul, and his life and the lives of all those with him were endangered. He had ample opportunity to take matters into his own hands. He could have interpreted things differently to meet his own purposes but was unwilling to do anything while Saul, the Lord’s anointed, was alive (I Sam. 24:8-13). He was so willing to wait upon God that he fulfilled the law by ‘loving his neighbor as himself’ and even grieved for Saul when he died (H Sam. 1:17-27).
So often we see situations we would like to fix, but are we qualified to fix some situations? For example, we may encounter young people who we feel should be thinking about baptism, and we think ‘if only someone could just say that one thing’, but God is working! God knows. We can assist in prayer and in extending hospitality and friendship, but to push or manipulate would be wrong. If their decisions were based upon our urgings, they may be very insincere ones, and our interference could even be counter productive. Likewise, perhaps there are others who we are sure would be much happier if they would just choose what we think would be good for them. Remember the Lord is working. Our expectations of ‘what should be’ often cloud our vision of faith in God’s timing.
Faith obviates control
Faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for and the evidence (conviction) of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval (Heb. 1:1-2). In Romans 4:3, Abram believed and he was accounted as righteous because of that. He ‘gained approval’ by his faith. Thomas said that if he could see the marks of the nails in Christ’s hands and feet and the place where the sword pierced Christ’s side then he would believe (John 20:24-29). Are we ‘doubting-Thomases’? Christ blessed Thomas for finally believing, but said that more blessed are those who believe without having seen. In Romans 9:30-32, it says that those who live by faith obtain salvation, and those who live by their own control obtain the reward of their labors in this life. Every single time in scripture it is faith that makes the difference. It heals people (Matt. 9:21), it saves (Luke 7:44-50), and in Romans 10:9-10, the word of faith is able to save, and not only does a faithful heart equate as righteousness, but a confession of that faith brings salvation. We are extended grace through faith Eph. 2:8), as a gift from God, and the outcome of our faith is salvation (I Pet. 1:3-9). Our faith is sure and the evidence of our faith is borne out in our actions. Logically it would then make sense to say that the need for control is sound evidence of our lack of faith.
Thy will be done
So how much control do we really have even if we strive for it? Can we make one hair of our head naturally white or black? (Matt. 5:36). Would it not make more sense to leave that up to God, since He has them all numbered anyway? (Matt. 10:30). Not getting what we think we want is almost always because He has some better gift in mind for us just around the corner. We are sometimes too blinded by our impatience and need to control to accept in faith the will of our loving, all-knowing heavenly Father who indeed created the entire universe, including us. This reinforces the fact that we should be very careful what we ask for when we pray. Be sure that we recognize God’s will and allow Him to work in our lives effectively so that His will can be done through us on earth as it is done in heaven. Perhaps when situations or events frustrate us to a point of wanting to control them, a prayer for patience would do more good while we are waiting for His will to be done in His time.
Surrender control to God
I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Psa. 121:1-4 NIV). Sometimes our finite minds forget that God is at work whether we care to recognize it or not. He is working in people’s lives, leading them and allowing them to discover Him. In His time He makes all things beautiful. That doesn’t mean people won’t make mistakes, take wrong turns, need to learn hard lessons and live with consequences, but it does mean that through it all God is there if we seek Him.
Perhaps by controlling we may gain some temporary victory in this life, but how can that help us in the future? How are we showing our faith? It can’t be done by striving to control people or situations. To strive always to be in control takes a great deal of hard work and what God asks of us is far less work than that. We have enough trouble keeping ourselves under control.
If we take the advice in Romans 14:1-5, we may be better able to let go of our impulse to control and act more on faith, focus on self control and leave the rest to the One who knows our hearts and motives. In Philippians 3:21, Paul says that Jesus will one day subdue all things unto Himself. Could we ask for a more just, gracious, and merciful judge to ‘rule’ us?
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One