Feeling the Squeeze

The tighter you squeeze, the less you have.
Thomas Merton

Have you ever met someone who has to have total control of everything? They have to run everything, be in charge of everything and watch everything you and everyone else does.

Or maybe you are that kind of person - a type "A" driven personality who needs to be in the driver's seat.

What does all that control get you?

As Thomas Merton states, the tighter your grip on everything, the less you end up having. When you put the squeeze on others, you are not trusting them to do what God created them to do.
You are taking control of their actions and in the process, denying them of fulfilling God's destiny. And you are also so wrapped up in what others are doing, you can't focus on God's plan for you.
You can't be at your best when you are less than your best.

No one likes a micro-manager. No one likes to be told what to do at every turn. Where is the chance for someone to grow and learn and be a better Christian if they are constantly being kept under someone's thumb?
Being controlled will eventually lead to resentment and impatience and will squeeze the spirit out of others. And really, who died and made you Boss? This behavior will do nothing positive; it will lead to the end of friendships and relationships.
And your relationship with God will suffer the most.

So, next time you are tempted to tell everyone what to do and where to be, take a step back and pause. Is what I am doing beneficial or am I causing strife? Am I displaying a Christian attitude or amplifying my own importance?

You can't do it all - no one can. There is only One Boss and He has it all under control.