Suzie, how do I let go? Is that even possible?

That’s the overwhelming question coming in this week. My friend, Karen Ehman, says this in her book, Let.It.Go:

There exists a miniscule line between being conscientious and being controlling.

A marker so fine, we often cross it without even noticing that it’s stretched out right there in front of us, waiting to trip us up.

What we must do is determine the difference between being conscientious (our part) and being in control (God’s job).

Today, take an honest look at this topic together.

Do we speak the truth once, or over and over again? Speaking the truth once is conscientious but speaking it over and over again is nagging. It’s trying to bend someone to our will.

Do we want it done our way every time? Doing things our on way in our personal space is conscientious, but when we ignore others or their input it’s controlling. Have you ever considered that your way isn’t the “right way” or the only way?

Do we feel the need to fix another person? Coming alongside someone to encourage, to pray, or to be a friend is conscientious, but when the motivation is to fix them — line them up, straighten up without walking in their shoes, listening, or praying for the right words (or no words at all), it’s controlling.

These are hard questions to ask, and all of us will fall short at some point. The good news is that we can all change. It may a complete shift in your thinking (Romans 12:2), or perhaps a slight perspective change that completely frees you of “jobs” that aren’t yours to carry.

How do you let it go?

Let’s begin today by asking God to show us when we are conscientious and when we are controlling, and the strength to accept the answers so that we can grow!

 

Want to let of of your inner control freak? Join Karen Ehman on Encouragement Cafe radio as she digs deep into how to let go and let God have his way. . . and how that changes you and your family. Listen now!