As Long As You Have Control...

As long as we have control, we tend to question anything that comes in that we do not understand, especially if it is not pleasant.

 

Having control means we can manipulate situations within our reach or sphere based upon our own perception of what is appealing. People that live this way seek to orchestrate their world through choices that limit pain.

 

The effect of attempting this control brings us in and out of misery, because real life is not always “user friendly” to our schedules and priorities.
 
We are especially tested in this effort to control as wives and mothers. Eve was deceived into thinking that having control was the answer to a better life. Satan caused her to focus on what she did not have and could not do - creating discontentment. When we become discontent even paradise loses its joy. She did not stop there but went on to influence (manipulate) the other person in her life. Control, just like misery, loves company.

Control will always affect the countenance of the self-centered one. There is a time to mourn, but there is quite a difference when its only about what you wanted. Mourning with those who mourn is not the same as having a "pity party." Self-pity is a very unloving act. It's like emotional sickness, when we share our dis-satisfaction to others; we might feel better, but others have a mess to clean up and might even get sick.


Self-pity is even more destructive when others join us in it. Self-pity's chords are distracting irratations that do not promote peace, but dis-cord. Whereas "godliness with contentment is great gain; sadness, from lack of control is "great loss."

There are times in our lives when something touches self-pity's "chord" within us; some thought or feeling deeply disturbs us that we know is out of tune! How we deal with the out of tune notes in our lives will make all the difference in the music that flows from our lives.


Tuning in to HIS concert PITCH will enrich our homes, and the lives of others; HIS concert pitch is "perfect love." We are mistaken if we think that the internal "sour notes" of our lives will not be heard, even behind closed doors. Self-pity is a moan that resonates everywhere we go. It's way too much "me-verb".

There is a self-control that makes beautiful music, but there is a catch to it; we have to submit to playing only the notes of the "Great Composer". The difference in how much we enjoy hearing a music depends upon who is playing the chore. Giving our Father full control is like a Master taking hold of the instrument that he knows fully. What masterpieces our lives become when we submit under his touch – no sour notes, only beautiful melodies.


God is God. I dethrone Him in my heart if I demand that He act in ways that satisfy my idea of justice. It is the same spirit that taunted, "If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the Cross." There is unbelief, there is even rebellion, in the attitude that says, "God has no right to do this to five men unless..." ~Elisabeth Elliot (Through Gates of Splendor) [Elizabeth’s husband and four other missionaries were murdered by the natives they were seeking to reach for Christ]


"But the question to precede all others, which finally determines the course of our lives is - What do I really want? ….Did I want what I wanted, or did I want what He wanted, no matter what it might cost?" Elisabeth Elliot (Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ Control)


The above picture, taken a very long time ago.  All three were in trouble, for wanting "control".  I guess you can see how different each one of our children deals with correction. :)