The Secret to Finding Peace

How can we stay in a place of peace when others lack empathy? It may feel like an impossible task, but I have the secret. Being able to discern who should be controlling things in our lives can make or break us. At times, it can even become a stumbling block in our faith. Control often comes from one of these areas; fear, failure, fatigue, or frustration in our lives. Attempting control during these emotions can make us believe we have the power to shape and mold the outcome of certain situations. The need to interject takes away the wonder-working powers of the Lord; it is taking out the God factor! When we try to take this control, we say, “I do not need to trust God for this. I am the one responsible, not Him.” 

Don’t get me wrong, being organized and present creates healthy control over our daily tasks. Still, crossing over from those daily task management skills, we can quickly get into patterns of NEEDING to dictate every detail. When you cannot control these details, you manifest negative and different attitudes that harm you and those around you.

Letting go of this control has to start with facing the fear! Fear is a terrible master and the #1 motivator for seeking control. It will drive us to do and say things and control the situation. We assume that something bad can happen if we do not control it. We learn in the book of Daniel about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three teenagers refused to let fear win. Their response was, “Even if.” This is a principle we need to apply in our fear-based circumstances. Get ready to start getting comfortable with facing fear head-on! 

The secret is learning to know the boundaries of the things you can control versus the things that need to be released unto the Lord.  Ask yourself; what do I really have control over? What authority do we need to give to God with the control He is more than capable of? Is it our relationships, our children, or our finances? 

Through prayer and declarations, all these areas are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. You have control over your peace, your joy, and how you react to others. Make this your declaration, rooted in God's Word! You must refuse to allow worry to trick you into feeling like you are doing something. Remember, it takes the same amount of energy to worry as it does to stay in faith. Choose faith every time!