"... Beyond My Control"

[image: me]

"Making Peace...
with What I Can't Control"
by
Lysa TerKeurst

[image credit: FaithGateway sign up]

PEACE of SURRENDER
{this has to be my favorite quote so far}
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The Premiere already has past & I did not get this blog post done in time to share the video, but I think that it's still available; and watching might help or encourage you to decide to join us

Faith Gateway

Online Study
November 16th (for 6 weeks) - December 20followed by one catch-up week atStudy Gateway
{these 6 sessions are already in my image above}

"Session 1: Four Reassurances We Need in the Midst of Unknown Outcomes Session 2: I’d Rather Do Something Than Trust God with Something  Session 3: When More Information Makes You More Afraid Session 4: When You’ve Done All You Should Do Session 5: Practicing God’s Wisdom When We’re Tempted to Control Session 6: Trusting God Instead of Trying Harder "

Lysa's book was released on September 15th {I was trying to get well at that time for my sister's Memorial Mass, on the 17th, so I had other things on my mind but ...} I saved the description of the book & purchased the study guide as soon as I could, and I'd like to share the opening that convinced me this probably is a book you need; & a must do study whenever it might happen: 

"It's not that we want to be controlling people; it's just that we want to prevent bad things from happening and bring stability to the chaos. Especially when we are afraid of what God seems to be allowing..." 

Lysa addresses the tension so many of us live in ... "we don't have bad motives. We're just desperate to prevent another hardship, more heartbreak, and all the emotional turmoil that feels so unnecessary. But this only leads to a counterfeit version of control where we believe everything depends on us - a crushing weight we were never meant to bear." Clearly, most of us (a little late) come to the realization and conclusion that we need to RELEASE and surrender this to the One who is really & truly in control. 

[image credit: email from FG but it's Lysa's book]

"...You don't have to know how everything will work out to trust the One who does. Release what you can't control and rest in God's faithfulness."

"Surrender and let God carry the weight."

[this was in so many emails I received that I have to share, in case you aren't convinced yet that you should join this study or read this book/study guide]

"As we take a look at surrender, let’s first outline what we aren’t saying ... Surrender is not ignoring reality bypassing pain avoiding hard work abandoning your post or being irresponsible giving up this person to worst-­case scenarios letting yourself get swallowed up by the circumstances of this day giving in to the feeling that your circumstances are hopeless Surrender is yielding your need to control the outcome laying down the illusion that you know best releasing your grip so God can lead choosing obedience to God even when it hurts letting God carry the weight of what happens from here choosing to still see this day as a gift from God and thanking Him for the good parts trusting God to hold your hopes and dreams and bring them about in His way and in His timing " Faith Gateway

"Surrender this to the only One who can truly help from here."
RELEASE
REST
RELY
RENEW & RESTORE
RETURN
be
ReFRESHED
2026 is a good year to RE-LINQUISH
our control and surrender to God
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ADVENT begins on November 29th, 2026 ... and although I generally follow a traditional Advent plan during Advent with the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, I've decided that I will do this study, in addition to my forthcoming blog posts for December of "I just can't decide" ReFresh books that I should do before 2026 closes.

However, this year of 2026, has been one continuous year of learning so much about living and life; "making peace" with past and hopefully future; healing and moving forward; as I REST, RELEASE, RELY, RETURN, RENEW and RESTORE, so that I can ReFRESH my life and walk even more closely with Jesus! 

I pray and hope that this Advent will be a season of anticipation and preparation for Jesus Christ - like never before, because I choose "to still see this day and every day as a gift from God and thank Him for the good parts". So, I begin with this study to truly RELEASE my grip and trust that I RELY on Him being in control (so I don't have to, or need to any longer) ... because eventually I do realize that HE IS in control anyways - ALWAYS - and as long as I am held in His Grip then I can let go, & let God be God, because it's truly far "beyond my control"

💙