Giving Up Control
Bible reading: Psalm 61:1 – 8
Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)
Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.
“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)
The thought of turning our will and our lives over can be attractive. When we give into our addictions aren’t we giving control of ourselves over to another power? Are we, in some way, giving up personal responsibility for our lives? When we are overwhelmed or wanting to escape, our addictions can make us feel strong or safe, attractive, powerful, or happy. So, in a sense, we are very comfortable with the thought of giving up control of our will and our lives.
We can simply change our focus to turn our lives over to God instead of the sources we have turned to in the past. The apostle Paul touched on this contrast when he said, “Don’t drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit, and controlled by him” (Ephesians 5:18).
When we are overwhelmed and in need of some kind of escape, we have a new place to turn. King David declared, “All who are oppressed may come to him [God]. He is a refuge for them in their times of trouble. All those who know your mercy, Lord, will count on you for help. For you have never yet forsaken those who trust in you” (Psalms 9:9 – 10).
David also wrote, “For wherever I am, though far away at the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help. When my heart is faint and overwhelmed, lead me to the mighty, towering Rock of safety. For you are my refuge, a high tower were my enemies can never reach me” (Psalms 1:2 – 3).
God never changes; he is always present with us.
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