Embracing Trust: The Journey of Control and Surrender

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to discuss a topic that resonates deeply with many of us: control and surrender. We began by addressing some recent personal challenges, including my Facebook account being hacked and the postponement of Vision Sunday due to unforeseen developments. These events reminded us of the importance of trusting God's timing and wisdom, even when things don't go as planned.

We then delved into Proverbs 3:5-6, a familiar yet challenging scripture that calls us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. This passage underscores the difficulty of surrendering control, a struggle that many of us face daily. We explored how our desire for control often stems from fear and a lack of trust in God's plan. This fear-driven control can lead to significant issues in our lives, affecting our relationships, health, and even our spiritual well-being.

We examined the story of Abraham and Sarah, who, despite God's promise, took matters into their own hands due to impatience and lack of trust. Their decision to have a child through Hagar led to long-lasting consequences, illustrating the dangers of not fully surrendering to God's will.

To help us navigate this struggle, I encouraged everyone to identify areas in their lives where they are struggling with control. By writing these down and praying for wisdom, we can discern whether these are areas we need to manage responsibly or surrender to God. I also provided three questions to help us determine when to choose surrender over control: Is this truly worth my concern? Have I fulfilled my part in the process? Do I truly trust God?

In closing, we reflected on Philippians 4:5-6, where Paul, even in dire circumstances, urges us to pray about everything and trust in God's peace. This peace surpasses all understanding and can guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. I shared a personal story about my mother's fervent prayers for my salvation, which ultimately led to my transformation, emphasizing the power of surrendering our deepest concerns to God.

### Key Takeaways

1. Trust in God's Timing: Abraham and Sarah's story teaches us the importance of trusting God's timing. When we take matters into our own hands, we often create more problems than solutions. Trusting God means believing that His timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. [19:14]

2. Fear Fuels Control: Our desire to control often stems from fear. We fear that things won't go right if we don't manage them ourselves. This fear-driven control can lead to stress and anxiety, affecting our relationships and overall well-being. Recognizing this can help us shift from a fear-based approach to a faith-based one. [16:41]

3. Identify Areas of Unhealthy Control: It's crucial to identify areas in our lives where we struggle with control. By writing these down and praying for wisdom, we can discern whether these are areas we need to manage responsibly or surrender to God. This practice helps us confront our control issues head-on. [27:25]

4. Balance Responsibility and Surrender: There is a difference between surrendering control and relinquishing responsibility. We must fulfill our part in the process, whether it's in our finances, relationships, or careers. After doing our part, we need to trust God to do what only He can do. [32:52]

5. The Power of Prayer: Philippians 4:5-6 reminds us to pray about everything and trust in God's peace. Prayer should be our first line of offense, not our last resort. When we invite God into our lives through prayer, we experience a peace that surpasses all understanding, even in the most challenging circumstances. [35:43]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[08:47] - Vision Sunday Postponed
[10:00] - Opening Prayer
[11:27] - Control Issues
[12:50] - Personal Struggles with Control
[14:00] - The Impact of Control on Relationships
[15:17] - Spiritual Problem of Control
[16:41] - Fear Fuels Control
[17:57] - The Vicious Cycle of Control
[19:14] - Abraham and Sarah's Story
[20:49] - The Consequences of Taking Control
[22:17] - Trusting God's Timing
[23:35] - Real-Life Examples of Control
[26:00] - Helicopter Parenting
[27:25] - Exercise of Freedom
[28:48] - Identifying Control Issues
[30:09] - Leadership and Control
[32:52] - Balancing Responsibility and Surrender
[34:20] - Do I Truly Trust God?
[35:43] - The Power of Prayer
[37:14] - Personal Testimony
[38:24] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
2. Philippians 4:5-6: "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

### Observation Questions
1. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 instruct us to do with our hearts and understanding? How does it suggest we should approach our ways?
2. According to Philippians 4:5-6, what should we do instead of being anxious? What is promised when we follow this instruction?
3. In the sermon, what personal challenges did the pastor mention that led to the discussion on control and surrender? ([08:47])
4. How did Abraham and Sarah's decision to take control of their situation instead of trusting God lead to long-lasting consequences? ([19:14])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it challenging to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6? ([16:41])
2. How does fear fuel our desire for control, according to the sermon? What are some examples given? ([16:41])
3. What does the story of Abraham and Sarah teach us about the consequences of not trusting God's timing? ([19:14])
4. How does Philippians 4:5-6 suggest we can experience God's peace? What does this peace look like in practical terms? ([35:43])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to control a situation out of fear. How did it affect your relationships and well-being? What could you have done differently to trust God more in that situation? ([16:41])
2. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with control. Write it down and pray for wisdom to discern whether it is something you need to manage responsibly or surrender to God. How can you start this process today? ([27:25])
3. How can you balance responsibility and surrender in your daily life? Think of a specific situation where you need to fulfill your part and then trust God to do what only He can do. ([32:52])
4. The pastor shared a personal story about his mother's prayers for his salvation. How can you incorporate more prayer into your life to surrender your deepest concerns to God? ([38:24])
5. What steps can you take to shift from a fear-based approach to a faith-based one in your decision-making? Consider a current challenge you are facing and how you can apply this shift. ([16:41])
6. How can you practice trusting God's timing in your life, especially when things don't go as planned? Share a recent experience where you struggled with this and how you can improve. ([22:17])
7. Think of a person or situation you are trying to control. How can you release this control and trust God more fully? What practical steps can you take this week to start this process? ([28:48])

Devotional

### Day 1: Trusting God's Perfect Timing
Description: Trusting in God's timing can be one of the most challenging aspects of faith. The story of Abraham and Sarah serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of taking matters into our own hands. Despite God's promise of a child, their impatience led them to have a child through Hagar, resulting in long-lasting complications. This narrative teaches us that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. When we rush ahead of God, we often create more problems than solutions. Trusting in His timing requires patience and faith, believing that He knows what is best for us. [19:14]

Bible Passage: "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are struggling to wait on God's timing. How can you practice patience and trust in His perfect plan today?

### Day 2: Overcoming Fear-Driven Control
Description: Our desire to control often stems from fear—fear that things won't go right if we don't manage them ourselves. This fear-driven control can lead to stress, anxiety, and strained relationships. Recognizing that our need for control is rooted in fear can help us shift from a fear-based approach to a faith-based one. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can let go of our need to control every aspect of our lives and instead, find peace in His plan. [16:41]

Bible Passage: "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where fear is driving your need for control. How can you surrender this fear to God and trust in His power and love?

### Day 3: Identifying Areas of Unhealthy Control
Description: It's crucial to identify areas in our lives where we struggle with control. By writing these down and praying for wisdom, we can discern whether these are areas we need to manage responsibly or surrender to God. This practice helps us confront our control issues head-on and allows us to seek God's guidance in managing or surrendering these areas. By doing so, we can experience greater freedom and peace in our lives. [27:25]

Bible Passage: "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Take a moment to write down areas in your life where you struggle with control. Pray for wisdom to discern whether these are areas you need to manage or surrender to God.

### Day 4: Balancing Responsibility and Surrender
Description: There is a difference between surrendering control and relinquishing responsibility. We must fulfill our part in the process, whether it's in our finances, relationships, or careers. After doing our part, we need to trust God to do what only He can do. This balance between responsibility and surrender is essential for a healthy spiritual life. It allows us to be diligent in our efforts while also trusting in God's ultimate control and provision. [32:52]

Bible Passage: "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area where you need to balance responsibility and surrender. Have you done your part, and are you willing to trust God with the rest?

### Day 5: The Power of Prayer
Description: Philippians 4:5-6 reminds us to pray about everything and trust in God's peace. Prayer should be our first line of offense, not our last resort. When we invite God into our lives through prayer, we experience a peace that surpasses all understanding, even in the most challenging circumstances. This peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, providing us with the strength and serenity to face life's difficulties. [35:43]

Bible Passage: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you make prayer your first response and trust in God's peace to guard your heart and mind?

Quotes

1. "Whenever we try to control something that was never really ours to control, we're trying to actually take God's place in the universe. There are some things in life that truly are ours to do something about. But then there are a lot of things that aren't, and we're still doing everything in our power to control." [15:17] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "It's actually fear that fuels control. We work so hard to control things because at the heart of it, we're actually afraid it won't go right if we surrender to anyone or anything else. We trust ourselves more than we trust God. We trust in our own ability more than we trust his ability. We trust in our own wisdom and our own insight sometimes more than we trust in God." [16:41] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Never let timing keep you from trusting. If God has promised it to you, there is nothing in this universe that will keep him from providing it for you. It may not be when you want it. It may not happen the way you want it to happen. It may not be the script that you drew out for your life. But if God has given you a promise, time will never diminish the providential promise." [22:17] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You can have control or you can have growth, but you can't have both. You have to let go of even some good things in order to embrace the best things. And what things are in your life that you need to release that's holding you back from the best things?" [31:30] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You can't lean on a shovel and pray for a hole. Yeah, God feeds the birds, but he don't throw worms in the nest, baby. You're going to have to get out and do a little scratching, right? So there's a responsibility that we have. That's the balance part of the equation. We do trust God. Ultimately, we do need to make sure that we have done all we're supposed to do before God will do only what he can do." [32:52] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Do I truly trust God with the most important things in my life? I would always... My first go-to as a follower of Christ would always be, of course. And then I start actually looking at my life. And then I start digging a little bit deeper, and I start watching what I do and how I do it and decisions that I make sometimes. And the truth is, question three really demands a deeper look." [34:20] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Don't worry about anything, man. Instead, pray about everything. That is not a spiritual punchline, and we need to stop treating it that way. Prayer is not and should not be our last resort. It should be our first line of offense. We should rediscover the power of what it means to pray. And we don't pray to instruct God because he's got a will. We don't pray to inform God because he's got all knowledge. We pray to invite God into our lives." [35:43] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "What is it in your life that you're truly not trusting God with today? May you find the courage to choose surrender over control." [38:24] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?