Not in Control

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you." - 1 Peter 5:6  
  
Peter gives us a powerful key to handling anxiety: humility. He suggests that one of the reasons we struggle with anxiety is an overestimation of self, a belief that we are responsible for solving our own problems and managing the future on our own.  

Theologian Thomas Schreiner explains that anxiety often stems from a sense of self-reliance, where we make ourselves the center of our concerns. We ask, "What does this mean for me?" "How will this affect me?" This magnification of self creates what Schreiner calls “self-idolatry,” where we unintentionally put ourselves in a position that only God can hold.
 
Peter, however, challenges this mindset by telling us to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. When we humble ourselves, we shift our focus away from our own limitations and onto the omnipotence of God. It’s like when a child asks their parent why they have to do something, and the parent simply says, “Because I said so.” The child’s job is to trust and obey, leaving the how and why to the parent. In the same way, Peter reminds us that there are aspects of life we cannot control, and our responsibility is to trust God with the details.  

This is where anxiety often takes root, when we try to control things that are beyond our ability. Instead of surrendering to God, we obsess over the future, worrying about outcomes that are not ours to manage.  

But Peter is clear: we are not the masters of our fate. We are not in control of everything that happens. God is. And just as God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt with His mighty hand, He will deliver you from whatever is causing you distress today.  

When you feel overwhelmed by anxiety, Peter calls you to shift your focus. Stop exalting your own concerns, fears, and timelines above God. Trust in His power and let Him handle what you can’t. He’s done it before, and He will do it again.