[Devotional #17] Letting Go Of Control: God’s Got Them. And He’s Got You Too.
Maximus is so protective of his little brother, Finnegan. It’s absolutely precious, but it’s also a struggle some days. I take the boys to the local zoo weekly, and most of the time it’s just us there. We are free to walk around and look at our favorite animals, talk to the volunteers, and learn the animal names. It’s always such a fun time.
This past weekend we went for Boo at the Zoo. We wore Halloween-themed clothes but skipped costumes, since that’s usually something Maximus doesn’t enjoy. With the added crowds, decorations, music, and candy, I wanted to make sure both boys could truly enjoy the day.
They were so excited. Finnegan wanted to run and see everything, especially the lions and bears, his absolute favorites. Maximus was thrilled about trick-or-treating and checking out all the turtles and tortoises around the zoo. But once the people filled in, his excitement turned into panic about his brother’s safety. Even with Mike or me holding Finnegan’s hand or walking right beside him, Maximus kept screaming through tears, “Pick him up! The people! Oh no! They’re going to get him!”
No matter how many times I reassured him that I had Finn, his fear didn’t ease. Thankfully, Finnegan still loves being held, but at two years old and weighing as much as his four-year-old brother, my arms sometimes need a break. We still had a fun time and did what we needed to make sure both Maximus and Finnegan felt safe, comfortable, and had fun.
That left me thinking about control, especially as a mom, and how hard it is to let go. One of the most important lessons we’re given in the Bible is to release control and walk in the will of God. Easier said than done, especially when you’re raising a child with a rare disease, medical complexities, or autism. But those moments when you do let go of control and choose to live instead, that’s where the joy truly lives.
Stay Mighty,
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Devotional of the Week
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.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Control feels safe, especially for us as moms walking a road filled with unpredictability. We want to plan every detail, anticipate every meltdown, and protect our children from every possible discomfort. But the truth is, control is often just a way to quiet our fear. When we loosen our grip, we make space for God to move—not just around us, but through us.
Maximus’s fear for his little brother reminds me of how often we panic, too, when life feels out of control. We cry out to God to “pick them up,” to intervene. And like any loving parent, He gently reminds us: I’ve got him. I’ve got you, too. Even when we don’t see it, His arms are steady. Our worry doesn’t make Him more present; our trust does. And we can trust that he gave us the skills to care for our children without needing to control every single detail around us. That constant state of hypervigilance is not sustainable all the time.
Letting go of control doesn’t mean giving up. It means handing our children, our schedules, and our hearts back to the One who created them. The same God who crafted every cell of their bodies and knows every detail of their stories is still in charge. When we surrender, we don’t lose power; we find peace.
Reflection:
Motherhood teaches us that we were never meant to carry everything alone. The peace we’re searching for isn’t found in having more control; it’s found in trusting the One who already does. The same God who holds your child’s tomorrow is guiding you through today.
Journal Prompt
What area of your life or your child’s journey have you been trying to control out of fear? What might it look like to trust God with that one thing this week?
A Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You know how hard it is for me to let go. My heart wants to protect, fix, and plan, but I know You’ve already gone before me. Help me to loosen my grip and trust that You are holding my children far more securely than I ever could.
When fear whispers that I’m not doing enough, remind me that Your strength begins where mine ends. Teach me to rest in Your promises and to find peace, not in my control, but in Your faithfulness.
Thank You for loving my family more than I can comprehend. I release what I can’t carry, knowing that You will make our paths straight.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
