Daily Devotional: When I Need to Be in Control
"Be still" feels uncomfortable when everything in us usually wants to fix, adjust, respond, or prepare.
Control doesn't always look loud. Sometimes it looks like constant thinking. Replaying. Strategizing. And trying to make sure nothing falls apart.
But Psalm 46 wasn't written in calm circumstances. It was written in the middle of chaos; earthquakes, roaring waters, and trembling mountains.
And right in the middle of instability, God says:
"Be still."
Not "figure it out."
Not "tighten your grip."
Not "handle it."
"Be still."
Stillness is not passivity. It is surrender. It is the quiet confidence that God does not need my management to remain sovereign.
Sometimes our need for control is really our fear of vulnerability. We think, if I can manage the outcome, maybe I won't get hurt. If I prepare for every possibility, maybe I won't be disappointed.
But control is heavy. And we were never meant to carry sovereignty.
Humility is surrendering control.
It's trusting that God's timing is better than our urgency. We see this in 1 Peter 5:6-7;
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
Today, let's ask ourselves:
What am I trying to force right now?
Where is God asking me to be still instead of reactive?
Do I trust Him even if the outcome looks different than I imagined?
Be still does not mean nothing is happening. It means God is working in ways we cannot see.
Today, loosen your grip.
Breathe.
Let God be God.
In my own experience, the struggle to maintain control is something I encounter daily. When faced with uncertainty or challenging situations, my instinct is often to become restless, trying to strategize endlessly—almost like the 'constant thinking' and 'replaying' mentioned in the devotional. Yet, I have found that embracing stillness, as Psalm 46:10 advises—"Be still, and know that I am God"—brings a calming clarity that planning alone cannot provide. This stillness is not about passivity but about surrendering my fears of vulnerability. Like many, I believed that managing every outcome would shield me from disappointment or pain. However, this heavy burden often leads to exhaustion and anxiety. Learning to loosen my grip and trust in God's sovereignty has been a gradual process but one filled with peace and hope. One practical way I apply this is by pausing during moments of stress to breathe deeply and reflect on what I can control—and more importantly, what I cannot. This reflection often leads me to a sense of humility, understanding that God's timing surpasses my urgency. Verses like 1 Peter 5:6-7 which encourage casting all our cares upon God resonate deeply during these times. Furthermore, recognizing that chaos does not mean God is inactive helps me reframe difficult experiences. Just as Psalm 46 was written amid earthquakes and roaring waters, life’s storms often precede growth and renewed strength. The powerful reminder to 'be still' amidst turmoil reassures me that God’s work continues, unseen but unstoppable. By sharing this, I hope to encourage others who struggle with control and anxiety to try embracing this stillness—not as helplessness but as an act of faith and confidence in a greater plan. Loosening your grip, breathing intentionally, and letting God be God can transform how you face challenges and open doors to peace that surpasses understanding.
