Surrendering Control to God

Surrendering Control to God

"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." — Proverbs 3:5-6 (WEB)

The Illusion of Control

Have you ever felt like you had everything planned out perfectly—only to watch it all fall apart? Maybe it was a job you were certain was the right fit, a relationship you thought would last, or a dream that seemed within reach. And then, suddenly, things didn’t go the way you expected.

I know that feeling well. I’ve always been a planner, someone who likes to map things out and feel in control. But there was a season in my life when every plan I had carefully laid out seemed to crumble before my eyes. 

The job opportunity I counted on disappeared, relationships changed, and the future I envisioned no longer made sense. I wrestled with frustration, wondering why God would allow everything to fall apart when I had prayed and trusted Him.

That’s when I realized something powerful: I was never really in control to begin with.

God Sees the Bigger Picture

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

It’s so easy to trust God when everything is going smoothly. But when things don’t go according to our plans, doubt creeps in. We start questioning if we heard God wrong or if we need to try harder to make things work. But the truth is, our understanding is limited, while God sees the full picture.

Look at Joseph’s story in the Bible. He was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and thrown into prison for something he didn’t do. From the outside, it looked like his life was completely out of control. But God was orchestrating every step, preparing him for a greater purpose—one that would save an entire nation from famine. What seemed like setbacks were actually setups for something beyond what Joseph could have imagined.

Could it be that the things you see as obstacles right now are actually part of God’s greater plan?

The Peace That Comes with Surrender

One of the hardest parts of surrendering control is trusting God’s timing. Sometimes, He isn’t saying “no” to our plans; He’s saying “not yet.” And waiting can feel discouraging, especially when we don’t see any signs of movement.

But Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.” No matter how much we plan, it is ultimately God who leads us. When we surrender control, we release the pressure of trying to figure everything out on our own. We trade our anxiety for His peace, our striving for His rest.

Even Jesus modeled this surrender. In the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing the suffering that awaited Him, He prayed, “Nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.” (Mark 14:36 WEB). If the Son of God could trust the Father’s plan, even when it led through pain, how much more should we trust Him with our unknowns?

Moving Forward in Faith

So, how do we practically surrender control?

Stop clinging to what’s not working. Sometimes, we keep pushing in a direction that God is clearly closing off. Instead of forcing our way, we need to recognize when God is leading us elsewhere.

Trust that God is still working, even when we can’t see it. Just because nothing seems to be happening doesn’t mean God is absent. He may be preparing something behind the scenes that will be revealed at the right time.

Take steps of faith, even in uncertainty. Surrender doesn’t mean doing nothing—it means trusting God as we move forward. It means obeying His leading, even when we don’t have all the answers.

Isaiah 43:19 reminds us, “Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” When we surrender, we make room for God to do something new in our lives.

A New Perspective on Control

If you’re struggling with letting go today, take heart—God isn’t asking you to have it all figured out. He’s inviting you to trust Him, to rest in His plans, and to believe that He is leading you toward something good.

You were never meant to carry the weight of figuring everything out. So let go. Surrender. And watch as God leads you into something far better than you ever planned for yourself.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I confess that I struggle with letting go. I want to be in control, but today I choose to surrender. Help me to trust You, even when I don’t understand. Lead me, guide me, and give me peace in the waiting. Thank You for always working in my life, even when I can’t see it. I choose to trust that Your plans are better than mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.