Quote from Forum Archives on January 9, 2010, 12:16 pm

Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>

Forthright Magazine
www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross

When troubles come, no one knows better than Job. 'In
Search of Perfection: Studies from Job,' by Michael E.
Brooks. Click here:
forthrightpress.com/#InSearchOfPerfection

COLUMN: FIELD NOTES

Control
by Michael E. Brooks

"The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the
answer of the tongue is from the Lord" (Proverbs 16:1
NKJV).

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his
steps" (Proverbs 16:9)

"O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is
not in man who walks to direct his own steps"
(Jeremiah 10:23).

Are you a control freak? Conventional wisdom says that
most men tend to be. I would agree with that, but with
the added observation that the same thing applies to
most women as well.

The truth is that most people would like to determine
their actions and situations all of the time. The harsh
reality is that no one can do that, and that most of us
are truly in control of very few of the circumstances
of our lives.

When I first began to travel in other countries to
preach the Gospel, I found myself wanting to dictate
almost everything that pertained to the work. I wanted
to choose the hotels where I stayed, the restaurants in
which I ate, the cars and drivers in which I traveled,
and the times of departure of each trip, not to mention
the schedule and topics of Bible studies and
evangelistic meetings.

It was frustrating to me when the local Christians
directed the driver to stop without asking me first, or
invited other passengers to share our already crowded
vehicles without prior consultation, or when they
invited other speakers to participate that were not
prearranged.

After all, who did they think was paying for this trip?
Who was in charge?

With experience and a measure of maturity, I have
learned not only to delegate many decisions to others,
but also that there are some things that I am not
necessarily in charge of. The fact that I initiate or
organize a trip and secure the necessary funding does
not make it exclusively mine.

Others are involved and are as vital to success as I,
or more so.

They are often in a better position to make
arrangements than I am, and they don't really need my
help (or my interference). This is not even our work —
it belongs to the Lord. We are stewards of his gifts,
to use them for his purpose.

Much of our frustration and feeling of helplessness can
be overcome by faith. We are not in charge of events on
this earth, but we serve the one who is. Speaking of
Jesus, the Holy Spirit teaches:

"For by him all things were created that are
in heaven and that are on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or
principalities or powers. All things were
created through him and for him. And he is
before all things, and in him all things
consist. And he is the head of the body, the
church, who is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead, that in all things he may
have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:16-18).

When confronted with adverse situations, we can react
negatively with anger, depression, or a sense of
failure. Or, we can respond with faithful patience,
relying on God to present us with alternatives which
will lead to progress.

Or, it can leave us with courage and strength to
survive the difficulties. Often the best approach is
not control, but submission — the willingness to "let
go, and let God."

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