Control

Dear Beautiful,

I have a confession.  I have an addiction to my desire for control.  When I am really honest with myself, I must admit that I have at different times in my life attempted to control situations, circumstances, and even people.  Feeling like I am in control gives me this false sense of security, safety, and predictability in a chaotic world.

Although, I know in my brain that my feeble attempt to control people, things, and situations is futile and quite honestly makes me a crazy person, I still try.  Sometimes I feel like I cannot help it, but I know that is lie.  However, this deep longing for stability, security, and safety within me drives me to at least try.

This year has been a year of growth.  I have come face to face with my lack of control over my life, my circumstances, my desires, my hopes, and my dreams and it hurts.  It's extremely painful and candidly, I hate every minute of it.  Lately, however, I have been noticing that something is changing inside of me.

I am learning to let go.  Slowly, very slowly, but I am learning.  I am learning, since I have no control anyways, to spend less of my life, energy, and time attempting to control everything.  I am learning that I am a much better person when I do not attempt to control everything.  I am learning that I can more easily reflect God's peace when I trust His faithfulness and love for me.

I totally get our desire for control, I mean I really get it.  However, I am challenging us to try to control less in our life.  I am challenging us to find rest in God's control by believing He is trustworthy.  I am challenging us to let go and receive the peace and freedom that comes from surrender.

I know how painful and difficult this is, but I also know how radiant we are when we don't actively attempt to control people, situations, and circumstances in our life and truly learn how to let go.  It's not a one time surrender, but sometimes a minute by minute, day by day surrender.  However, it is one that will bring much peace, freedom, rest, and beauty into our lives.

Beauty Tip #8:  Spend some honest time in prayer asking God to show you the areas in your life that you attempt to control and ask Him to help you begin the process of letting go.