*Mondays with Megan is a series of short devotionals to help us focus our hearts, souls, minds, and strength on the Giver of Life for the week ahead.* 

Thanks to Steve Halama for sharing their work on Unsplash.

Chaos. 
Insanity. 
Whirlwind. 
Tornado.
“What in the world?!” 
Full of anxiety. 
Madness. 
Turmoil.
Commotion. 
Havoc. 

Words that people are using the describe the current state of our world are all synonyms of each other, each linked to the other by their disdain for peace. 

While I am absolutely interested in the affairs of the world, I am more interested in our response to the affairs of the world.  I’ve watched and listened as the past few months have amplified the really good, the really bad, and the really ugly.  I’ve journaled and prayed and thought about why we respond the way we do to certain situations; especially ones that we have no control over — and there was the answer.  Control. 

Admittedly, I am a recovering hyper-active control freak.  I have been freed from that burden after a lot of hard work and well, therapy! It took awhile for me to uncover the why of this ugly attribute, but once I did, freedom was mine.  Does it still creep in sometimes? Sure. Do I know what to do when it comes? Absolutely. 

The process of pursuing peace and relinquishing control became the soundtrack in a season of my life that was so insanely painful and also filled with unending joy. Why? Because control was about me, pursuing peace became about Jesus. 

Control says, “I don’t trust You,” while Peace responds, “I have the best plans for you.” 
Control says, “My way is the best way!” while Peace responds, “actually.. MY way is the best way.” 
Control says, “You don’t know the right way,” while Peace responds, “I am the way…” 

And with the world in absolute chaos, I have a choice: Will I control the thing that are not mine to control or will I surrender it all to Him, whose ways are best, thoughts are higher, and peace is immeasurable? I must choose surrender. 

We go into control hyper-drive when things don’t go our way, when we’ve planned something that gets cancelled, when someone in a position of authority above us says “Actually, we have to do it like this now instead…” and if we are not actively pursing Peace in the midst of all of this worldly chaos it will end very ugly for us. 

The choice is ours. 

Jesus says directly to us in the Gospel (story of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection) of Matthew, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” 

The hard truth today friends is that we will not find rest and peace in the midst of holding on to control.  We only find true rest and peace in absolute surrender to Him. 

Are you burdened? Weary? Heavy-hearted? 
Try saying this out loud, “Jesus, I give this thing to you… (whatever your thing is) because it’s exhausting me and I’m asking you to take care of it. I surrender.” 

Now, take a deep breath. 
Unclench your fist. 
Relax your jaw line. 
…another deep breath. 
Lower your shoulders. 

It’s all His to handle anyway, sweet friends.
Just give it back to Him. 
Life is sweet on the side of surrender.