God is on the throne! God is at the helm!
Do you believe that? Do any of us truly believe that God is in complete control? That He has a plan for this world and for us and that all this chaos we call life is going to work out in the end?
I’ll admit to being a serious control freak. I believe it stems from an unsettling childhood in which I had absolutely no control. That coupled with an anxious personality, and I tend to drive myself (and everyone around me) crazy trying to create a “safe, structured” environment. I also can’t handle a lot of change. I don’t like anything out of the ordinary. I like to know what to expect from my day, and I don’t like surprises.
But recently, God has been revealing to me that no matter how much control I think I have, I really don’t have any at all. Normally that would be a terrifying thought, but along with that revelation, He’s also showing me that He is in control. Not just of the big things like the world, wars, politics . . . etc., but of every single detail of my life! Including sending the right person at the right time to solve a major problem I was facing, and even including arranging sticks in the shape of a cross down the entire trail where I walk each day. Why? Just to show me how much He loves me and how involved He is in the details.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives (Psalm 37:23 NLT).
For some people who don’t know God in a personal way and who don’t understand how much He loves them, having someone else control your life can be a fearful situation. I’ve met some people who picture God as a power-hungry tyrant, wielding punishments depending on His mood. But if you know God, if you really know Him and understand His love for you, then you know He’s not like that at all. He’s a loving parent who would die for His children (who did, in fact, die for His children). His only goal, only desire, is to bless us, to create in us a new heart so we can experience joy and peace and live life to its fullest.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18 NKJV).
When we truly understand God’s love for us, we won’t be afraid of anything anymore. Why would we be? Our Father is the most powerful being in the universe, and He’s crazy about us. So, when problems come or tragedies strike, rest assured; God is still at the helm of your ship! Not only that, but He has allowed these things to happen for our benefit. Does He enjoy watching us suffer? No. But like any good father, He wants to see us grow in maturity. He wants to build our character, even if it means making the waters choppy now and then or allowing the occasional squall to strike our ship. All He asks for is our trust.
MaryLu Tyndall