I have a hard time accepting things that are out of my control. I’m not always punctual or organized, but I am definitely a planner – I need to know what’s happening in my life, where I stand with people, what I’m doing for the next month and everything in between. In the face of the unknown I find myself fearful. 

As this semester has wound down, my life has done nothing but wind up. I’ve allowed things like classes, other people, and my own constant worry to stress me out. I’ve worried about “what if I don’t make this grade” rather than have confidence in my own abilities. I’ve let other peoples’ actions take over my thoughts rather than have peace knowing that they only have the power to affect me if I let them. I’ve worried about where I stand with the people in my life and what I must be doing wrong rather than remember that I was created by the same God who put the stars in the sky and told the sun to shine, not only that, but I was made in His image so how could I be worried that I’m not good enough??

I’ve found myself worrying about all of these things that, in themselves, are not all within my control, but I’ve lost sight of the fact that what I do have control over is my response to each situation. 

I do have the ability to study more and remember that I am a good student and a smart girl and that ultimately I am more than my grade in calculus. 

I do have the ability to brush off the unkindness of others because it is not something that I have to allow in my life. 

I do have the ability to remember that the Lord provides and the Lord takes away and he does all of it because he knows His plan for me is far, far greater than my plan for myself. He knows that his timing is perfect and mine is so often immature. He knows that the path on which he has placed me will lead me wherever I’m meant to be and that even though I may find myself unhappy about the present, the destination will be so worth it.  

I’m telling you all of this so that if you find yourself stressing on the daily, maybe you’ll take a step back and look at what’s causing that stress in your life. You may not have to look hard at all, but when you find it, ask yourself if there is another way you could look at the situation. Is the stress you’re experiencing really that necessary, or is there a better way to handle it? 

So if you have a control complex like me, I know it seems like an impossible task, but do your best to let go of the reins. Put your hope and trust in the Lord and remember that for everything that you can’t control, your reaction is something that you can. 

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