Giving Up Control

As part of our upcoming Lent series, I'm reflecting right now on what it means to give up control in our lives in order to live in faith and trust in God. I just remembered a little scene from my childhood.

When I was really little and my family went to amusement parks, my dad and sister would ride the big roller coasters, and my mom would accompany me to the kiddie rides. Everybody got what they wanted. I’ll never forget the first time I rode a big roller coaster with my dad and sister. I was terrified. I kept rising up out of the seat as we would speed over hills and get thrown side to side on the crazy curves. Instead of holding the top of the safety bar, I held underneath to try to keep myself still in the seat. It was miserable and terrifying. During the long recovery, I told my dad what I just told you. He told me that the whole point of a roller coaster is to move your body in every direction, but that it’s safe. What felt to me like being out of control was actually the intended sensation. My attempts at control were actually the cause of my anxiety and stomach ache.

How often don't we do the same thing when it comes to trusting God? We want to hang onto complete control, but our own attempts at gripping life can't slow it down. God knows where we are going, and trusting him is the key to riding the roller coaster of life - and even enjoying it.