Have you ever referred to yourself as a “Control Freak” and chuckled as you said it? Maybe you’ve called someone else the same. Society has made this kind of a term of endearment these days…..but being a control freak couldn’t be further from a compliment.
Today’s sermon once again spoke to me and brought up some “junk” that is easier to just keep under the surface. While I wish I didn’t have so much “stuff” to address in my life, I’m also thankful for the patience of God as that process happens. Since none of us are named “Waze,” I guess none of us arrived yet.
Today’s message was about having joy even in the midst of challenging circumstances. It may be easier to feel joyful when life is good and trials are over. But I think about these Scriptures that present joy in a different light:
“And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!””
Nehemiah 8:10 NLT
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.”
James 1:2 NLT
Friday was a bit of a challenging day. Our fridge died Thursday night and I was up until 2:30 on Friday morning cleaning up, transferring food to the deep freeze in the garage, and finding irony that I was tending to a fridge that died at the exact same time my dad passed away two years earlier. I ruminated on that all day. Then I ruminated on some things professionally that had me playing through unnecessary “what ifs” and “if/thens.” Nothing – NO THING – good came from any of that.
How sweet the Lord is to send a Word for me today. I was certainly not the only person in the room but felt like I was as the message continued.
Why do we do this? Why do we ruminate on things we can’t control to the point of allowing them to steal our joy? Maybe it’s out of fear or hurt /offense. I don’t know…..but it’s real.
Galatians 5 names “self-control “ as one part of the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus, give me strength to be in control of me and where my eyes are fixed…..and truly trust You with the rest. Help me to find joy in the good, the bad, the easy, the hard, and everything in between.
May we break off the control freak tendencies , stop labeling ourselves and others with that title, and learn to TRUST so we can find You in it all.
If you are reading this, you have not “reached your destination”……you have not “arrived”……so keep on growing. There’s joy in the journey (and grace along the way)!!!
Lessons from the Lawn 