Control. It’s a funny word, because in my opinion, it often has a negative connotation. It commonly means to be in charge, to hold in check, to be overbearing.

Most of us would rather not consider ourselves as “controlling” but in reality, there may be a little of the controlling factor in each of us. If we but scratch below the surface, we may even find it hidden there below the surface:

• Do you toss and turn at night trying to figure out situations?
• Do you get up out of bed to pace and pray because the worries are too heavy?
• Do you find the days are not long enough to get everything accomplished?

See what I mean – there’s a little bit of “control” in each of us.

In her book, It’s All Under Control, Jennifer Dukes Lee shares her journey of letting go, of hanging on, and of finding peace. This is a book for us all since we’re all a little controlling. Jennifer wisely points out that in our attempts to keep everything orderly and controlled, life gets away from us. Life often gets more out of control and chaos rushes in.

She further explains:

We got here because we care. We got here because we desire lives of meaning and connection. Sometimes, out of love, we push ourselves far.

My deep affection for my people is why I’m often thinking, managing, planning. I feel like it all depends on me.

(from page 27)

In a world that encourages self-sufficiency, Jennifer encourages and leads us to discover how to make choices that will align with God’s plan and best for our lives.

Every chapter includes exercises titled “Cracking the Control Code” designed to help us evaluate our responsibilities, figure out how to make time for rest while learning it’s OK to ask for help.

Jennifer writes with a warm and engaging style, weaving her personal stories into each chapter with both wit and humor. Each of her books is hard to put down for this very reason – she becomes a dear friend with each turn of the page.

The book is a must read for every woman because there’s a struggle with control to be found in us all. I found myself nodding in agreement and with each nod, my heart bending towards surrender in increasing measure.

“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1, NLT).

We have a race to run. In order to run it well, we need to strip down, taking a good look at all our responsibilities, and prioritize. We can let go of the control knowing God truly has it all under control.

You can connect with Jennifer Dukes Lee in the following ways: Website
Twitter
Facebook

*Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions are all my own. This post contains an affiliate link at no extra cost to you.

Today I am joining … Trekking Thru the Week and #RaRaLInkup and Grace Full Tuesday and Tell His Story and Booknificent Thursday .