Weekly Devotion: Letting Go of Control Part II

Matthew 16:24-25 (NASB 1995)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Letting go of control isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a core command of discipleship. Jesus didn’t call us to follow Him with one hand still gripping our own plans. He invited us into a posture of surrender, self-denial, and a willingness to walk through suffering, trusting that purpose lives on the other side of pain.

We often find ourselves like Peter—well-meaning but resistant. We want God’s plan, but we want it to fit our picture. We want peace, but without discomfort. Yet Jesus calls us to something deeper than comfort—He calls us to follow.

To follow Jesus is to:

Surrender our plans (Come after Him),
Lay down our agenda (Deny yourself),
Embrace suffering when it comes (Take up your cross),
And trust Him step by step (Follow Me).
Control, at its root, is often fear dressed up in wisdom. But fear has no place when we truly believe that our Shepherd is leading us. This journey isn’t about knowing the outcome—it’s about trusting the One who leads.

Let me ask you directly:

• What am I still trying to manage that belongs in God’s hands?
• Where am I delaying obedience in hopes that the path will get easier?
• Do I truly believe that Jesus is trustworthy—even when I don’t understand His ways?

Denying yourself isn’t about erasing your identity—it’s about surrendering it to the One who created you. Taking up your cross means walking toward purpose even when the path includes pain. And following Jesus means deciding—every day—to trust His voice over your own.

Ask yourself: Am I living like I belong to myself, or like I’ve been bought with a price?

Father,

I confess that I often hold on to things I should place in Your hands. I struggle to release my plans, my fears, and my desire for control. Teach me how to surrender—not just once, but daily. Help me deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You with courage and trust. When fear rises, remind me that You go before me. When anxiety grows, help me to obey anyway. I want to live a life that reflects faith in You, not just belief in principle. In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Day 1 – Examine the Weight
Read: Hebrews 12:1–2
Write down what’s weighing you down. Ask: “Is this mine to carry?”

 Day 2 – Deny Your Agenda
Read: Galatians 2:20
Pray through one area where you need to let go of your own will and embrace God’s.

 Day 3 – Embrace Obedience Over Comfort
Read: Luke 22:42
Make one hard, obedient decision today that you’ve been avoiding.

 Day 4 – Identify Avoidance
Reflect on what you’ve been delaying out of fear. What “doctor’s appointment” with God are you rescheduling?

 Day 5 – Follow Anyway
Read: John 10:27
In prayer, listen for His voice. Ask: “What is one step of obedience I can take today?”