Photo courtesy: Lisa Tarplee Photography

Hands poised mid-air. Eyes focused in concentration. His mind scrutinized the pieces before him and there was nothing that would distract him. Planning, strategizing, and anticipating, he analyzed each and every move. And me? Well, I pretended I knew what I was doing.

A year or so ago, my oldest developed an interest in the game of chess. Since then, he has grown in his skill and understanding of the game. He’s tried to teach me as well. We’ve played many games together, most of which I spent trying to remember which direction each piece moves.

While I’ve come far in learning the game, and if asked, I can tell you that the Bishop moves diagonally and the Queen can move anywhere, I’m still not winning. Just the other day, I learned that a King cannot kill another King. And there’s this thing called “castling” that I’ve yet to figure out what it means.

Photo courtesy: Lisa Tarplee Photography

Yes, I have far to go but there is one thing I have learned from this game that has opened my eyes to an important fact:

I often treat God like an opponent in a game of chess.

My life is like the game board. I try to anticipate what God is going to do in my life. I plan, plot, and try to figure out what His next move will be. I strategize, “If He’s doing this in my life, then I’ll have to do this or else this will happen.”

I live life in the future, always wondering what’s ahead for me. I try to plan out what I will do and how I will handle what comes my way. In reality, I’m trying to have power over that which is out of my control.

I’ve looked at where my life is today and assume it’ll be this way for years to come. I get overwhelmed and fearful of the future-future tripping-all at the expense of the present. I even try to manipulate and change what will happen in the future. Grasping at control that is not mine to have often leads me to worry, fear, despair, and sorrow.

While in chess you can develop a strategy and anticipate your opponent’s next move, God cannot be analyzed or strategized. More important than learning how to win at chess, I need to learn how to let go of the desire to control my life and trust in God’s plan for me.

The question is, how?

Recently, I was invited to read and review Karen Ehman’s new book, Let. It. Go.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith. Do you struggle with trying to “run the show” of your life or everyone else’s life? In this book, Karen explores all the ways we try to control people, plans, circumstances, time, and all the details of life. She goes back to the source of this desire for control-the first sin in the garden. Ever since Adam and Eve, we have all wanted to be like God, and be in control of our lives.

Let. It. Go.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith helps open our eyes to the ways we try to control life. Many chapters include a short quiz with questions designed to help us determine if we are grasping control of a particular area of life. This book is filled with practical ways to relinquish control and walk in faith. From ideas on managing the technology in our life to suggestions on how to mother without smothering to helpful hints on managing a busy household, Let. It. Go. not only points out the problem of control but also gives solutions on how to let go of control.

And for someone like me, who is always trying to grasp control, this book spoke directly to me.

“Instead of longing for God to change the trajectory of your life’s story line, look for his face as you practice your faith at each twist and turn along the way.” (p.166)

As an author, Karen Ehman is witty, down to earth, and transparent. She writes in the tone of your best girl friend, sharing her own struggles with trying to control life. After meeting her and hearing her speak this summer at She Speaks, I can attest to the fact that she is the same in person as she is in the book.

As for me and my chess game, I may never win against my son. But I have learned to let go of the desire to control the direction for my life. Trusting God for His perfect plan is the only strategy for me.

To get your own copy of this book, click here: Let. It. Go.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith. A companion video based study is also available for small groups.

Two readers will win their very own copy today. Simply leave a comment below and you’ll be automatically entered. Random.org will draw the names on December 8 at 8:00pm EST. Update: Melissa Deming and Donnell Holly are the winners of this giveaway. Congratulations!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for this review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.