Surrendering Control to Trust Him
We want to trust God, but we still grip tightly to our plans. Real trust means opening our hands and letting Him lead.
I thought I trusted God. I prayed about my decisions. I asked for His guidance. But looking back, I realize I was still holding the steering wheel.
I wanted His blessing on my plans, but I didn't really want to surrender control to Him.
It took a crisis—plans falling apart despite all my careful control—for me to learn what it means to actually trust God with my work.
The Illusion of Control
We tell ourselves we're in control. We make detailed plans, prepare for contingencies, try to predict every outcome.
But it's an illusion. We control far less than we think.
We don't control the economy, the market, what others decide, how projects unfold, or what happens tomorrow.
The exhausting part? We know this. Yet we still try to control everything. And in trying, we wear ourselves out.
What Trust Actually Means
Trust isn't just believing God can work things out. It's releasing our grip and letting Him actually do it.
Real trust looks like:
Seeking His will before making plans: Not just asking God to bless what we've already decided, but actually waiting to hear what He wants us to do.
Following His peace, not our logic: Sometimes God's direction doesn't make logical sense. Trust means following His peace even when our minds argue against it.
Resting in uncertainty: We want to know how everything will turn out before we step forward. Trust means moving in obedience even when we can't see the whole path.
Letting go of outcomes: We can do our best work and leave the results to God. This is freedom.
The Hard Part
Surrendering control is terrifying. What if God's plan is different from ours? What if He doesn't come through the way we expect?
But here's what I've learned: God is more faithful than our tightest grip. He cares more about the outcome than we do. He sees what we can't see.
When we hold tightly to control, we're actually limiting what God can do. When we open our hands, He can work in ways beyond what we could plan or predict.
What Changes
When you surrender control and truly trust Him:
Anxiety lifts: You're no longer carrying the weight of making everything work out. You do your part faithfully, and leave the rest to Him.
You make better decisions: Instead of forcing your agenda, you're listening for His direction. This leads to choices you wouldn't have made on your own—choices that bear more fruit.
You experience His faithfulness: When you stop relying on your own control and start relying on Him, you see Him work in ways you never would have otherwise.
Your work bears lasting fruit: What God directs and empowers lasts. What we control in our own strength is temporary.
Today
What are you gripping too tightly? What plan, project, or outcome are you trying to control instead of trusting to Him?
Try opening your hand. Surrender it to God. Tell Him you trust Him with it.
The control you think you have is exhausting you. The trust He offers will set you free.