Control… It’s the primordial human sin. This is the problem Adam & Eve had right back at the beginning. They didn’t want to let God be in control… they wanted to be.

The more I think about control the more I think that everyone ‘has a problem with control’ to one extent or another. It may look different from person to person, and the extent to which it is a problem may differ, but essentially, being human means we have ‘a problem with control’. If this wasn’t the case, then we would have no problems trusting God. But, in reality we do!

People yearn for control. Lacking control is uncomfortable and distressing.

The ‘problem with control’ exhibits itself in different ways in different people. There appears to be temptations or problems that are predominately masculine and others that are predominantly feminine (generally speaking). Now, I can’t say a great deal about guys, since I am not one, but I have some limited observations… VERY generally speaking, it appears men attempt to gain control through force and aggression. They tend to throw their weight around when they feel insecure. There is probably more to say on this and if you are a man, please feel free to chip in and correct me or offer some other suggestions.

However, I have noticed a number of things that are predominantly feminine temptations in the world of control. Women attempt to control their husbands (or the men around them) through nagging. They try to control their bodies through exercise, diets and most noticeably ‘problems with control’ exhibit themselves in eating disorders.

But the one that is most interesting to me is the way that women dream and fantasise about real life: the future, romance, whatever really. I think the reason women do this is because it creates a ‘feeling’ of being in control. Things always work out the way you want them to when you are dreaming. You are never disappointed and you get to decide what is best. BUT this isn’t control at all. It’s an illusion. The big problem that this creates is a false sense of security and this can be very damaging to the woman involved.

But, the BIGGEST problem with our ‘problem with control’ is that it drags us away from God. We try to rely on ourselves instead of running to the God who created everything, knows everything and is ACTUALLY in control of everything.

There are so many things in this life that we can’t control… most things really… and recently I have been reminded that we can try to take our lives into our own hands but it won’t necessarily work out as we plan. What’s more, it can turn out to be more disastrous than it was in the first place. I, along with 3 other work mates, had the terrible experience of seeing a girl attempt to take her own life. As far as I know, she did not succeed. Part of me is sad on her account, that life was so horrible before she jumped but now life is likely be worse. But part of me rejoices that she gets a second chance at life.

But I guess one thing is for sure… no matter what we do we cannot overcome or thwart the plans of God. If God wants us to live… we will live. If God wants us to die… we will die. This sounds miserable and horrible but the comforting thing in all of this is that God knows better than me. I don’t know why horrible things happen all the time but God does… and he is in control. And I can know God. He is loving, merciful, kind, just, righteous and holy. I can know the one who knows what’s going on. What a comfort!!

Psalm 33

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.


6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.

9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.


12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;

14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—

15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.


20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.