Some are afraid of relinquishing control, because they fear this is opening the door to being bullied. This raises an interesting question: Once we give all control to Jesus, should we let bullies get the best of us?

Not at all!

We need to resist them, especially the biggest bully of the all: the devil himself!

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)

However, in our resistance, we need to rely completely on the Lord. Why? Because He is the One who vanquished the evil one! “Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil.” (Heb 2:14 NIV)

Besides having conquered evil, Jesus is now in control over everything: “Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt 28:18 NIV)

The evil one now pretends he has power, but his real power only comes when we listen to his lies! “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44 NIV)

Friends, when the bully comes near, you have nothing to fear! Resist him and especially rely on the One who has total control. Then all you have to do is sit back and watch the devil’s roar change into a faint Chihuahua’s yelp. Before you know it, he will be running away with his tail between his legs!

We can stand like young David and challenge the evil one’s intentions: “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me…” (1 Sam 17:45-46 NIV) When we do so, we are being submissive towards God, but not towards the evil one! We can roar with delight! Victory is ours through the power of Jesus, the Christ! “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:57 NIV)

God’s power is evident as I face my mom’s diagnoses of Alzheimer’s. Initially I was devastated. She was constantly being transferred back and forth between hospital, where she received excellent care, and home, where nobody cared for her. She was like a yoyo, being played by the hands of the devil, and I was in turmoil.

Nursing homes in Belgium are overflowing and have very lengthy waiting lists. There was no human way possible she ever would get admitted to one. It would take a miracle.

I wanted her closer to me anyway, so I began searching for ways for her to be moved from Belgium to Canada. I soon learned that this, too, was out of the question. The immigration process was long and laborious, and she would have to travel left and right to get the necessary papers. The biggest obstacle, however, was that she would have to pass a medical examination, and because of her diagnosis, she would never pass.

After investigating immigration legal aid, I finally turned her outcome over to God. That day I had an urge to go online and fill in an immigration request for information. The next day I received the verdict: “Having thoroughly reviewed her credentials, we have determined that she is unlikely to qualify for permanent residence.”

I fell on my knees, and instead of pursuing my own desires, I asked God to help my mom find a place where she would be well taken care of, no matter where it was. And then I stood up and boldly declared: “Devil, in the name of Jesus, beat it! You have no right to my mom! She is in God’s hands now! He will take good care of her!”

The next day she was admitted to a local nursing home in Belgium, and no one could ever explain to me how it happened, how she was able to bypass the waiting lists.

But I understood how it happened. I had to relinquish all control of solving my mom’s dilemma to God so that His glory could shine through. The devil was once again defeated, as usual!

This was six months ago. My mom has never been so happy in her life. For the first time since reaching adulthood, she has friends. The nurses are tremendously well-mannered and caring. When asked if she would have wanted to come to Canada, had she been a candidate, my mom’s reaction was clear: “I never would have wanted to leave Belgium! This is my home! This is where I belong!”

I cherish my daily moments with her over the phone, and am at peace knowing that she is where she wants to be.

The same is true with all of our circumstances in life. If, for example, we notice that we are becoming belligerent and negative, we must uncover the source and hand the problem over to God. Tell the evil one: “You won’t dominate me on that one! In the name of Jesus: beat it!” As you do so, you will watch all negativity quickly melt away from your inner self.

This is true of any problem we face! Submission to God and resistance to the evil one will lead us to victory, for there is victory in the blood of the lamb! “…for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4 NIV)

“Why don’t you …”

“Beat it, Satan!” (Matt 4:10 The Message)

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Control Freaks’ Senility” devotional series, please click here.)