Church Volume One: An 8 Day Devotional By Jesus CultureSample

Still in Control - Mack Brock

“Still in Control” was written from a place of anxiety.

I was visiting a friend in Texas when we read the news that there had been another mass shooting in our country. This time in Pennsylvania. This time at a Jewish Synagogue and once again I immediately felt the flood of anxiety come crashing down on me. 

When something so devastating happens the world begins to feel so chaotic and out of control and it’s easy to fall into a place of despair and hopelessness. As my friend and I processed the devastation I felt so overwhelmed… until our conversation turned to scripture, and the weight began to lift.

Psalm 46:1-3:

1 God is our refuge and strength,

 an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

 and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam

 and the mountains quake with their surging

Neither one of us necessarily felt “comforted” in that moment but we spoke truth to the feelings that were tempting to overtake us and oftentimes, that’s what it takes. To speak the truth of God's Word over our feelings and remind ourselves of Who Jesus is in our situation. Even if we don’t fully feel the peace yet, we can stand on these promises and hold onto the character of God.  When we do this, we can weather any storm. Out of this moment we wrote the chorus:

Our God is still in control

And still He reigns on His throne

Though mountains may tremble and sea billows roll

I’ll sing it is well with my soul

My God is still in control

… in response to a moment. In response to our anxiousness. It became a chorus that I repeated over my spirit for the next several months. Anytime I felt fear rising up, I would speak this chorus to myself. Anytime I was stressed, I would sing this to calm my heart. It became like an exhale after holding my breath. 

I still come back to this song often in my own quiet time with the Lord. It reminds me that our emotions are real, our anxiety is real… but I can choose to speak truth, regardless. Even if I’m not fully able to receive it, I speak it. God’s Word is true and trustworthy and our refuge in times of trouble. So, if you are facing your own storm today, find refuge there, in His promises, in His character and you will get through whatever you may be facing.