When You’re Not in the Driver’s Seat-UGH!
I’d already made the decision.
I was stepping down from one of my volunteer commitments. It wasn’t an emotional choice—just a prayerful, peace-filled one. I just hadn’t told them yet.
Then, before I could send the email or make the call, I got a text:
“We’re switching gears and won’t be needing you anymore.”
Huh.
Now, logically, this should have been a win. I was free from the commitment. No awkward “I’m leaving” conversation. No drawn-out goodbyes.
But you know what I felt?
Rejection.
It’s like when you’re dating someone and you’re planning to break up… but they beat you to it. Somehow, it still stings—even if you didn’t want to be there anymore.
The Real Issue: Control
When it was my choice, I felt empowered, free, even a little proud of myself for setting boundaries.
When it was their choice, it felt like the air got knocked out of me. Disappointing. Frustrating. Personal.
Why?
Because I wanted to be in the driver’s seat.
And here’s the truth: Most of us do.
We like calling the shots. We like holding the map. We like feeling in control.
The Collision with Surrender
But here’s where it gets uncomfortable: wanting to be in control and following Jesus don’t always mix well.
I pray Proverbs 3:5-6 often:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
I mean those words when I pray them. I really do want God to guide me.
Until… He does.
And it’s not how I pictured it.
Or it’s not on my timeline.
Or it feels like something I should have been the one to decide.
That “Let Go and Let God” Thing
You’ve probably heard people say, “Let go and let God.” It rolls off the tongue like a Hallmark card, but living it out? Oof.
Letting go means loosening our grip on the steering wheel—even when we’re convinced we know the better route.
It means accepting that sometimes God closes a door before we’re ready to walk away from it.
And sometimes He uses other people to slam that door shut.
Where This Gets Real
So, what do we do when control is yanked out of our hands?
Here’s what I’m learning (and still failing at regularly):
Acknowledge the sting. Pretending it doesn’t bother you just shoves it under the rug. Admit it hurts. Talk to God about it.
Ask the bigger question. Instead of “Why did they do this to me?” try “God, what are You doing for me in this?”
Practice mini-surrenders. Start small—release something to God today that you’ve been holding onto tightly. The more you practice, the easier it gets to trust Him in the bigger stuff.
Remember His track record. Every time I’ve been frustrated about losing control, God has eventually shown me why it needed to happen that way. Every. Time.
I don’t have this figured out. I still feel that twinge when my plans get hijacked.
But I’m learning that control is often an illusion—and sometimes the kindest thing God can do is take it away before it drives me into a ditch.
So, how about you?
When has losing control actually been God’s protection in disguise?
