Professional Over-reactor
by SPIRITGIRL
I admit, I might be a professional over-reactor~
Sometimes it is big things but often times it is the little things, that send me into a tizzy. When I over-react, I am responding emotionally, to something that upsets me and perhaps challenges me. It is often in these small mundane moments; with my kids, in traffic, with the state of my house~you name it, that I feel out of control and have an exaggerated response…
Like many Mothers, I feel the burden of life and the lives of those I love~a little too much. Inherently this is not a bad thing and this is how most of us are built.
So when does it tip the scales of being responsible for myself and others to becoming an impingement?
Let’s look at this a little deeper…
Oftentimes I allow myself to be crushed by the assumed responsibility of success, failures, relationships and every other nuance of my life. There is an enlarged sense of duty and ownership for almost everything including; my husband, my marriage, my children and my parenting, And when things go left, falling outside of my expectations, I often over-react.
And when I look back at the passage above~ I can not help but focus on one word…ASSUME
“Assume”-verb: take or begin to have(power or responsibility)
Wait…if it is a verb, that means it is an action. And if it is an action, that means I am making a choice to choose this it. And if I am choosing it, that means I am electing to put myself in full control over everyone’s outcomes, while feeling the weight and responsibility of it all.
And when I look back at the passage above~ I can not help but focus on one word…CONTROL
Wait What?
But how could I live any other way? How can I give up the control that influences outcomes, avoids disappointments, heightens successes, and increases opportunities, all the while holding the whole world up for everyone in my life?
And then I wonder if I am addicted to control because the thought of letting it go~ makes my heart race fast.
Sound familiar?
Lurking behind my need to control…is FEAR
You see control is illusive. We often percieve that we have control of life, and things, and people-when in fact, we have none. The perceived control becomes becomes a false sense of security and one that if left unrecognized, has the potential to create a rift between us and God.
Relying on control is the antithesis to living with faith. Striving to maintain control becomes a barrier to developing a personal relationship with the one and only who does have control~Jesus Christ.
And I am learning that my need for control may inadvertently allow me to skirt around God’s will, God’s desire and God’s promises of faithfulness to me.
We can look to the story of Abraham to find examples of a life lived with obedience and impenetrable faith, for a God that loved him. Without negotiating the conditions or trying to control the outcome, he relied on his inherent faith and walked in obedience. His devotion to God was foundational to his life and the cornerstone of his faith. Abraham demonstrated a living faith and his life is a testimonial to God’s grace and goodness. He is an example to all Christians of how we can live a more Godly life simply by relying on our trust in God which casts away all Fear.
I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 NLT
And do you want to know what makes my heart beat even faster?
The thought of living a life without God nor honoring his will for my life and the lives of those I love.
By trusting God’s promises and power, I am assured I am on the right path. When God’s direction leads me into uncharted waters or circumstances that may overwhelm me, I can trust his goodness and rely on his overwhelming peace. And then like Abraham, my life will demonstrate a living faith, as I learn to walk with something deeply inherent in my heart~a promise to trust and obey the God who loves me, in all circumstances and through all things. As Christ followers, we must put aside all doubts and allow our obedience to God to become second nature. With a living faith nestled in our hearts, we will find the freedom that has the power to set us free from Fear.
The Lord is my Shepard, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right path for his name sake . Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:1-6 NIV
Let Go and Let God
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