Loss of control is a great stress factor. We feel most tense when things seem to have got out of hand and we are no longer in command of the situation.
When I first started using a word processor, I had great trouble. All those keys and control codes–a baffling mystery. On one occasion, I had typed out a preaching outline, but then couldn’t get the printer to print! All that work and I couldn’t take it with me to the church. My notes were stuck in the computer. It was a feeling of panic.
Finally, I managed to get the material printed, although in a very different format from the one I wanted, and made it to the service just in time.
Once I knew what I was doing and it was a matter of moments to print out a document. Being in control made all the difference. And nowadays I use an electronic format.
The Bible talks about ‘reigning in life’ (Romans 5:17). Jesus never lost control even when he was on trial. He was always in command.
This is how the Lord wants us to live. Like Paul, we will not be mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12). All kinds of troubles come our way, but we will not be intimidated or mastered by them.
To read more on this topic see Living in the Image of God, Barry Chant (Miranda: Tabor, 2012 available in eBook and Paperback) from which this edited extract is taken.