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“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

I’m not a horseback rider. In fact, I’ve been on a horse exactly twice in my life: once as a 12-year-old, which ended in a runaway gallop that threw me, resulting in a cracked tailbone. The second time was with my husband and our two young kids on a trail ride in the mountains of NC—I clearly recall that none of us enjoyed the experience.

All that to say, I was talking with the Lord this morning about some spiritual/mental/physical battles I’m in right now, and the whole horse thing came to mind. See, I’m a control freak. A perfectionist. Those of you who can relate know full well that this character trait comes with quite a bit of negative baggage. Things like hyper-self-examination, self-judgment, self-beratement—even to self-loathing…unfortunately, these responses to not achieving perceived perfection lead only to an effort to gain even more control. Here’s where the horse thing came in.

Trying to beat oneself into submission (that is, to control some aspect—or everything) is like holding onto the reins of a horse too tightly. Sure, pulling back tightly can slow and even stop the huge beast on which you’re riding (perceived control). But when that horse has a mind of its own, so to speak, and it’s moving how and where it wants to (my 12-year-old self can feel the terror of it all), yanking in the reins tighter and more forcefully causes that beast to thrash around, pushing back with its mighty power…revealing the fact that although you think you’re in control, you are absolutely not. In fact, your control-freak efforts are actually endangering you.

Enter the spiritual lesson. The Bible is very clear about the battles of this world (and our enemy who relentlessly prowls around seeking our destruction). We are in a war, we will have tribulation and trouble…but we must take heart, because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33)! The Word also tells us that we must cast our cares on the Lord, because He cares for us (Psalm 55:22; Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; . We must trust Him, leaning not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). We must surrender—let go of the reins—because He alone is Sovereign and has our good and His glory purposed for our lives (Romans 8:28). Isaiah 46:4 says, “Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have made you, and I will carry you; And I will bear you, and I will rescue you.”

Oh, what promises we have in Christ! As my pastor reminds the congregation often, “You ain’t got this.” Praise God, there is so much in my life—after walking with the Lord for nearly 30 years—that I have surrendered to Him. Facets of myself that have been gloriously and miraculously sanctified…and other areas where I daily submit and follow His lead. Except when I don’t. Sure, there is the prayer, “Lord, I give this to You—Your will, not mine.” I hand over the reins of this thing, this stronghold, this battle…and then I take them back, snatching back what I just dropped, in a futile effort to garner control over that powerful beast. Friend, there is One who has the victory! And in Him, we are also victorious. Why do we still fight for control when He can deliver us with a Word? But even when He does not (because He won’t always deal with situations the way WE want Him to)…even if we continue to be hard-pressed on every side, we will not be crushed (2 Corinthians 4:8)—He will be with us in the fire, drawing us closer to Him.

Beloved, whatever your “thing” is, won’t you join me in handing it over to the Lord? Nothing is too much, too powerful for Him. Let’s give Him our burden and battle, and take on His yoke, because it is easy and light (Matthew 11:28-30)…let’s allow Him to fight for us (remember, He’s already won!), so we can rest.

“Lord, take the reins from me. I trust You—help me trust You in ALL things.

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life