Who’s Really in Control?
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding" – Proverbs 3:5
If you want to grow deeper in your faith, you have to ask yourself an uncomfortable but important question. How much do I actually trust God, and how much am I relying on my own strength? Not just in one area of life, but in every area.
It’s easy to say we trust God when life is going well. It’s easy to hand Him the areas we feel we can’t control. But what about the places where we still hold the steering wheel? The decisions we make without praying? The plans we move forward on without asking if they’re His plans? The relationships, finances, health concerns, and daily routines where we subtly believe we know best?
The truth is, most of us live with a mix of trust and self-reliance. We’ll trust God for our salvation but try to manage our careers ourselves. We’ll trust Him with our eternity but worry endlessly about tomorrow. And while God gives us wisdom, responsibility, and the ability to act, He never intended for us to live as if it’s all on us.
Taking the next step in your faith means evaluating the areas where you are still holding on too tightly. It means asking, “Have I truly given this to God, or am I still trying to control it?” It’s not about becoming passive. It’s about letting Him lead and refusing to move ahead of Him.
God’s Word makes it clear, leaning on your own understanding will always fall short. But trusting Him with all your heart in every area opens the door for Him to direct your path. And His path is always better, even when it takes you somewhere unexpected.
If you want to grow in faith, start here. Get real with yourself and with God. Identify the places you’ve been relying on your own strength and release them into His hands. The more you do, the lighter your burden will feel and the more you’ll see His faithfulness at work in every part of your life.
If you want to grow deeper in your faith, you have to ask yourself an uncomfortable but important question. How much do I actually trust God, and how much am I relying on my own strength? Not just in one area of life, but in every area.
It’s easy to say we trust God when life is going well. It’s easy to hand Him the areas we feel we can’t control. But what about the places where we still hold the steering wheel? The decisions we make without praying? The plans we move forward on without asking if they’re His plans? The relationships, finances, health concerns, and daily routines where we subtly believe we know best?
The truth is, most of us live with a mix of trust and self-reliance. We’ll trust God for our salvation but try to manage our careers ourselves. We’ll trust Him with our eternity but worry endlessly about tomorrow. And while God gives us wisdom, responsibility, and the ability to act, He never intended for us to live as if it’s all on us.
Taking the next step in your faith means evaluating the areas where you are still holding on too tightly. It means asking, “Have I truly given this to God, or am I still trying to control it?” It’s not about becoming passive. It’s about letting Him lead and refusing to move ahead of Him.
God’s Word makes it clear, leaning on your own understanding will always fall short. But trusting Him with all your heart in every area opens the door for Him to direct your path. And His path is always better, even when it takes you somewhere unexpected.
If you want to grow in faith, start here. Get real with yourself and with God. Identify the places you’ve been relying on your own strength and release them into His hands. The more you do, the lighter your burden will feel and the more you’ll see His faithfulness at work in every part of your life.
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14 Comments
Yeah you’re on point with that this morning Pastor Ed. I guess I’m so accustomed to doing things alone that I forget that there’s a great deal of life that is collaborative. It shows in the way I speak with others on a regular basis. Not sure how I ended up being so direct but it sure does show up. This is something where I really have to throw my hands up and say I don’t know. I’m not sure how to be any different but I do believe that God knows what He is doing. You know Pastor Ed I really appreciate you man. Thank you for this.
The "Alfa and Omega"!!! Amen
Divine appointed & timely word?
Amen!!! Thank you, Pastor Ed for taking the time to write these devotions. I read what you send me every morning and it is a reminder, a word of hope, that helps me stay on track. The devotions act as a mirror which helps you to see who and where you are in life. As you encourage others I pray that you will be encouraged also!!! ??
Thank you Pastor Ed, I rely on your daily devotional, and as always it speaks to me.
nThank you for your ministry.??❤️
Amen! Happy Friday!
Yes Pastor Ed I know I struggle with allowing God full control over my finances. I struggle with this area a lot, I pray the word and give Hod control
nBut I always seem to end up taking it back. He has always brought me through and supplied every need but when I’m faced with a debt or financial issue I still find myself worrying or trying to figure out how to meet that situation.
nThank you for this much needed reminder. Love you so much and so thankful for CBC
This message has been very important to me as I have dealt with cancer three times. But, right now with what happened with Charlie Kirk - my two adult children felt it very deeply. I did too - this is a good time to read this again and focus on it as we mourn his death. I know that God will use his life to do much bigger and better things than we can ever imagine. I believe this and know. Thank you for this timely message.
Pastor Ed. Thank you so much for your service and your evangelism and being the Pastor for all of us. I pray that I can do better in all areas of my life with God. It is so hard to completely surrender but is so wonderful when I do. God is so so good and I am so thankful that in every circumstance in my life that He has blessed me and also He has let me see the blessing and Miracles that He still does. Thank you for being Gods vessel to show us and lead by example by reminding us of His will not our own will that we should do. You are such a blessing to everyone & so is your family. Thank you for serving our Father God and being a real person to all of us. You are truly the hands and feet of Jesus and a great teacher of His word!! Praying for you and your family always ?❤️✝️
The question mark is supposed to be a prayer emoji!! Thank you
That was ?❤️✝️
The question mark is supposed to be a prayer emoji!! Thank you
Super timely! In my dream this morning I said out loud, "The Lord is my Shepherd." Jesus is leading me, and He’s all I need.
The Lord is my shepherd scripture also was on my heart when I woke up this morning! Trusting him fully with the control of the things I have anxiety about is where this message hit me. Please pray for me that I can learn to lean in fully to Jesus in ALL areas of my life.
Thank you Pastor Ed for always speaking the truth and your timing!!!! You’re such a blessing. Love you