Are you a control freak?
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I don't know about you, but I am a control freak. It comes out when I drive, when I start a project, when I am in a meeting, when I am on a plane. OK, it comes out everywhere. Oh Lord, help me!
Anyway, as a control freak, I have wrestled with God for control so many times in my life. Stop laughing. You are probably a control freak too!
But how does being a control freak impact your work? How does it impact your faith?
Sue Wilson wrote a chapter in our recently released book entitled sheWorks4Him: Embrace your calling as a Christian Woman at Work. Her chapter was titled "Who's in control here?" In it, Sue talks about her struggle with God over control, trust and submission in her personal life and her professional one.
She describes the impact of fighting God for control of her life and her work and subsequently the process of Him bringing her back to himself.
Do you have control issues? Where do they show up in your life? Does it come out in your relationships or your attitude towards others? Or maybe it comes out in your work?
Wherever it shows itself, being a control freak isnot a fruit of the Spirit. In fact, it's precisely the opposite! To truly live in the Spirit, we have to give up control. So, what does that look like as a follower of Jesus?
Well, it can look like going places you don't want to go because God directed you there. It could be doing things you don't want to do because God asked you to do them. Or possibly hanging out with people you don't want to hang out with because God wants you to learn to love those who aren't easy to love, and who aren't like you.
I don't know exactly what giving up control looks like for you, but I do know that when we insist on being in control, God will not force himself on us. Instead, he wants us to step aside so that the Way, Truth and Life can step in and lead the way.
Examine your life today. Are you holding onto your plans for the future, or are you living into God's calling, purpose and will for your life?
Let go of your control freak today and watch Him work in your life as He worked in Sue's life!
 | Jim Brangenberg is an established leader in the faith and work movement who has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and business owner. In 2013, God called him and his wife, Martha, to begin the iWork4Him Talk Show, where they have had the privilege of challenging thousands across the globe with the simple message that your workplace is your mission field. In addition, he and Martha have co-authored a series of collaborative books, iWork4Him, sheWorks4Him, and iRetire4Him. Learn More » |
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