Control Freak. Manipultor. Authoritarian. Perfectionist. Obsessive Compulsive.
Out of control. Lost all control. In a state of hysteria.
It’s clear that our society dishes out conflicting attitudes about control – if we are too much of a controller, we are placed into rather unflattering categories suggested in the first line of this post.
But if we release that control a little too much?
Holy Cow. Watch out. You’ve lost it.
This past summer, I was blessed to attend an amazing speaking/writing conference. While at She Speaks, Karen Ehman shared a bit about her book releasing this month entitled Let. It. Go.
“This would be such a good book for so many women I know,” I thought, and yes I had a few specifics in mind.
Open eye, insert log.
When I was selected to review Karen’s book, I was excited to read it so I could hear her heart on this because well…I’ve been studying a very obscure, a bit controversial book entitled Daughters of Sarah with a beautiful group of women. This study has revealed so much about my own very subtle control-like ways and yes, I became more aware of the very large log protruding from my eyeball.
After reading the first three chapters of Karen’s book I realized that it’s pretty much the same message that Daughters of Sarah is conveying but Karen’s book pertains to all areas of life where DOS pertains mostly to the marriage relationship.
It’s good stuff, friends. I mean really good stuff.
And guess what? I’m giving away TWO copies. Yep. Two.
Here’s what you can do to enter:
1. Leave me a comment and tell me the areas you struggle with trying to control a little too much and why.
2. Like me on Facebook only if you really like me.
3. Share this post with your friends but only if you really like me or the idea of this book.
4. Follow my lame Twittering self @nataliesnapp. Is that a good sale or what? Trying to get better at that Twitter thing.
And if you don’t like me, that’s OK, too. I’ve done a lot of growth in this area this past year and I’ve accepted that not everyone’s going to like me. It’s all good. Just go ahead and leave a comment and you’ll still have just as much of a chance to win a copy as those who DO like me. (And I hope you do realize this is my humor butting in…)
Here’s some more info on Karen’s rockin’ book…
About Let.It.Go.:
Women are wired to control. We make sure the house is clean, the meals are prepared, the beds are made, the children are dressed, and everyone gets to where they’re going on time. But sometimes our strength of being conscientious can morph into the weakness of being a slight—or all out—control freak! This humorous, yet spiritually practical book will help you learn how to control what you should, trust God with what you can’t, and more importantly, decide which one is which! Join Karen Ehman, a recovering control freak, as she enables you to:
- Draw the line between mothering and micromanaging
- Influence your husband instead of manipulating him
- Take control of your schedule yet welcome interruptions from God
- Learn to control your emotions when you can’t control the circumstances
- Stop pursuing the appearance of perfection and start pursuing the person of God
A companion video-based study for small groups with a Bible study guide is also available.
About The Author:
Karen Ehman is the Director of Speakers for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ national speaking team. A five-time author, her books include A Life That Says Welcome, The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized and the popular ebook Untangling Christmas: Your Go-to Guide for a Hassle-free Holiday. She is a favorite presenter at Hearts at Home moms’ conferences and a sought-after speaker for women’s events. She has been a guest on national television and radio programs, including The 700 Club, Engaging Women, The Harvest Show, Moody Midday Connection and Focus on the Family. Karen also is a contributor to Focus on the family’s magazine “Thriving Family.” She lives with her family in central Michigan.
Don’t forget – leave a comment and tell me what areas you struggle a bit with trying to control too much. And give me some lovin’ if you like me. And don’t if you don’t. It’s all good.
I’ll leave this little here giveaway up until Sunday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time then Mr. Random Generator will select who wins.
Oh, and I need to tell you by law that I received a copy of this book for free. But even if I had paid for it, I’d be endorsing it…
Have an awesome weekend, sisters, and remember…Let. It. Go.
I can only pick one area that I struggle in….how bout everything? Going from a 35 yr old single girl to a married woman with children was the hardest thing for a control girl and then becoming a Christian who is suppose to submit to her hubby and let it all go to God…..hmmm…..12 yrs later and still struggling!
I wish there was a love button on fb….I do like you!
I shared this post via twitter!
And of course I follow you on twitter….get to tweeting girl. I love my twitter!!
Hey, Natalie, I already Liked you on Facebook so I hope that counts. I know I could really benefit from this book. I try to control or be in control of everything and it is so evident at times! How about the fact that I typed out 4 full pages of instructions for my parents/inlaws when I recently went out of town! And still noted to myself when I found things that I know they did ‘wrong’! Oh my goodness, I need to let go!
I have a few friends who could use this book, too. ;) And the log in my eye is that I’m learning how much my anxiety and needing to be in control (at least know what’s going to happen, for the love of Pete) stem from my lack of trust. Yep, there it is again. Blech!
You already know I love you.
As I was reading about the book I thought, nah, I’m not controlling….until I got to the breakdown of what you would learn….
Um, line between mothering and micromanaging? Hmmmm…
Influence instead of manipulate hubby? Double hmmmmm……
And on and on. I think I need to read about each of those topics!
Being a type A a little OCD about things can sometimes make it hard to let things go, but God has been teaching me through my children.
Hi, I’m Jenny and I’m a control freak. I try to control my my children’s behaviors, I try to manipulate my husband’s reactions sometimes, I attempt to control my successes (or at least try to bring them about). I’m a mess and I know it. I need this book before I go cray-cray. Thanks for the review…this sounds wonderful!
I tweeted!
I like you, Natalie. Really I do. :)
Following you on Twitter!
I know I could use this – and a few friends too – birds of a feather flock together right???
it’s always about the kids and the house! seeing as how i work full time and Husband is the ‘stay at home’ one, i have had to learn to loosen control but it’s still hard all the time!
I struggle with my daily schedule. We homeschool & some days my hubby travels & then there are days when he works from home. I really need to learn to loosen up & go with the flow. Really!
I’d like you on facebook… but I don’t have a facebook account.
I’d follow you on twitter… but I don’t have an account. ;)
Trying to fit my pre-children schedule into my current life! Why do I let my “duties” control me? I have to not let the “urgent” take over what is “important”!
Hmmmm….control. I don’t think control is a problem for me. It’s just a problem for those who don’t want me to control them ;) hee.hee.hee. I can’t even type it without laughing. No one area here, it’s all areas I struggle with. And do I get credit for already liking you on facebook and following you on twitter, and stalking your blog, and your hello mornings and, and, and…. (can you tell I like to read what you right my friend)!
let’s see…..struggle with control in almost every aspect of my life – but i have built those nasty walls so i can feel the illusion of it…..
I need this so much cause I have alot to Let it Go
I like to have control in many places in my life such as my home, my kids, where the money is spent and so on and so on. I could really use the information in Karen’s new book so I can learn to Let It Go.
Wow. I hope I didn’t miss this opportunity. Would love this book. Need this book. I have recongonized lately my tendency to control…a lot. I would say my main struggle is controlling my circumstances, which crazy enough, leads you to control everyone involved…everyone I know. And honestly, as I think about it, I often am angry with the Lord and seeking his Word not for comfort or truth but to fix. Wowza. Im praying through this. Struggling through this. and I know, being changed through this. Here come the tears, b/c I pray and hope that the Lords goodness would rest on me, giving me revelation to have a transformation. Blessings, Jodee
Nice to meet u Natalie.
And when I say nice to meet you take that as a compliment because I usually don’t post on blogs unless it is for contest. But after reading your page I not only intend on reading your blog but I intend on posting to it regularly too, so I think we might be hearing more from each other in the future I’m new to the blog world and in fact when I clicked on this link I thought it was one of the books that I could post to in To win the Kindle fire and for some reason I actually read through your blog and it just cracked me up, & touched me. Your sense of humor is Exactly like mine and your article is something I could see me writing! So love your blog, I will tweet u, I don’t have Facebook yet.. Maybe u want to help me set that up… I’ve tried 2x & it end up makin me mad! LoL ! Also I just became a Go to Gal the other Day and I have to learn my duties.
I really need to quit micromanaging my 13yr old son, and my own life… I want Gods will to be done not mine.
Was supposed to have tweet and love too
My twitter isn’t the same email
I am such a control-freak and it’s wearing me out. Need to learn to quit trying to control other people’s actions and behavior – to lower my expectations and just worry about myself and how I am doing in God’s eyes.
Trying to stop controlling the timing of my life and surrender to God’s timing!
I soooo relate to the category of influence instead of manipulation…….all are relateable but that
one stings the most…..thanks
Just found you through Karen Ehman’s blog tour. I like to be in control. Between 4 kids, hubby, cats, dog and Mother in law, there is nothing I can control. It is hard to let go and let God do what he wants in my life. Would love to win this book.
Liked you on Facebook.
Shared post on facebook.
I need to be less controlling of my kids (teens) and allow more freedom….I need help letting God take the reins.
I need to be less controlling in my emotions….the rollercoaster of a year I’ve had I need to Let Go and Let God!
Control is an area ALL humans struggle with since the beginning of time. Though it is more evident in the hearts of women, as we try to establish our homes. A good study that all of us could benefit from.
Hoping to get the book for Christmas – it’s the only thing on my list. LOL so hoping to get it along with the DVD and participant’s guide. Not sure what areas I control as I’m not a control freak or I don’t think I am but I might find out differently when I read this book.