Anxiety is fear mixed with control. When you can’t control something, the only thing left to do is rage.

-Andy Mineo “Anxiety”

John 14:27/ Joshua 1:9

When Jonah ran from God’s directive to go to Ninevah, he was trying to control a situation. He was already aware of God’s forgiving and compassionate nature and character, so going to Ninevah was futile to him. Once there, he still tried to control his surroundings and when he couldn’t, his response was anger (Jonah 4:6-7.) How many times have we attempted to control a situation? a family member? a colleague? a relationship? the conditions for an event? And then become angry when our attempts blow up in the worst way? Control is my nemesis; I have been captive to it. I try to control everything around me because I want to manage the outcomes by minimizing risk as much as I can.

Risk itself is a scary word because it carries the implications of loss, danger, and harm. It implies that we might be hurt in some way. So, control allows us to attempt to manage that risk by forcing our own will, as if we have all of the answers. This robs us of our peace. It upends us from our place of resting in Him. It takes us out of His covering. It displaces our center. Jesus’ words in John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Because of this promise from our Savior, there is no need to fear risk, thus no need to be captive to control.

Fear, aside from Satan himself, is one of the most destructive forces to a believer. It tries to take your spiritual power through convincing you that you need to decrease the possibility of being hurt and disappointed. It speaks to you in a voice that persuades you that God needs your help. It tells you, “You still believe, but there’s nothing wrong with you trying to do what you can to help yourself. You should have a little control.” This doubt holds you captive. Doubt and faith cannot coexist just as light and darkness cannot coexist. Something has to give.

In the first chapter of Joshua, as he stood on the cusp of taking the Promised Land, the Lord told him three times to “be strong and of a good courage” (Joshua 1:6,7,9.) Joshua faced a lot of risk. He didn’t know what lay ahead of him in terms of rival armies. He didn’t know what lay ahead of him in terms of difficult terrain. Opposition probably existed in many forms. But he turned a deaf ear to fear and control and instead heeded only the voice of the One who parted the waters. Little did he know that for him, God would split rock (Joshua 6:20.) When we release our grip on situations and people, the action engenders freedom because we’re not trying to control and govern outcomes. Instead, we’re resting in faith.

Prayer for Release: Dear Lord, You are the God of all comfort and I thank You that I can rest in You. You are for me and not against me. I don’t have to fear my future, for You are already there. Help me to rest in You and Your promises.