The Choice to Relinquish Control

Follow Along with the Message

James is challenging us to consider how we live our life: in pursuit of control or in submission to the Lord.

There is nothing inherently wrong with planning for the future, so long as the intent remains to focus on God’s plan and will for our lives.

If we trust Him, we don’t have to manipulate or control situations for our desired ends to be achieved.

Submitting to God’s Plans means…

1.     Your  .

We want to be in control, yet we lack self-control.

Thomas Brewer writes, “This is what we wanted in the garden. We wanted sovereignty. Instead, we got sin and shame.”

If the endgame is to control everything in our life to avoid anything uncomfortable, inconvenient, or distasteful, it’s a losing battle.

Submitting to God’s Plans means…

2.   His  .

In James’s letter, he instructs us to keep doing what we are supposed to do.

Therapist and author Dr. Pat Allen says, “The only way you know you love yourself—or anyone else—is by the commitments you are willing to make and keep.”