I’m a dad of three girls, and I love them with all my heart. Granted, with a love that is flawed, a love that has no clue about how girls think and act, but a love for them nonetheless.
I remember well the day our oldest was born, and when they placed her in my arms, how incredibly helpless I felt. Truth be told, I was scared to death – talk about feeling out of control.
But that is precisely my point – our natural reaction when we feel out of control is attempt to take control and do everything in our power to ensure we protect that.
But here’s the problem: We cannot, no matter how much we try.
Let me explain. As my girls grew, I found myself trying to sterilize everything. If they were running through the house, jumping on the bed, climbing a tree, I could imagine them falling and something terrible happening to them. Therefore, I would do everything I could to stop them, even yelling at them.
Now, this sounds good and all, and maybe one could argue that’s part of what it means to be a dad, but as the pattern continued, I began to see something I didn’t like within myself.
The negative thoughts of what I perceived might happen drove me to some ugly behaviors, that in my attempt to protect them, it damaged our relationship – of what I still see semblances of today.
The fact is, we cannot control everything. And when we consider our very own relationship with God – a God who is in complete control and got us this far – my hunch is, He will continue to as well.
So, here is what I am learning. My imagination can be quite irrational, and taking those thoughts captive and trusting God is really the only possible solution I have.
“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (Romans 8:6).
