Are You Controlled?
“No one controls me,” you say.
Are you sure?
Step back and take a hard look. What movies are available? What songs? What toys for your children or you when you were a child? What is repeated and emphasized in the “news?”
The tragedies that are emphasized and replayed traumatize all of us and lead us into fear.
Motivating by fear is control.
Control robs us of our self-hood, our autonomy, our identity.
It’s becoming increasingly obvious that, bit by bit, we’re being programmed to think, relate, and respond to someone else’s agenda.
Without realizing it, we numb down and stay silent.
Here’s a clip from my upcoming book, Heartache of Promise, that illustrates how easily an identity can be thwarted.
The Scene – Rose-Marie Clarke was at home during spring break from her boarding academy. She and her dad sit at the kitchen table while he informs her the family is moving:
“But, Dad—”
Dad raised his arms and locked his hands behind his neck. “But, what?”
“I don’t want to leave Faith Academy. I love it there.” Why couldn’t she stay at Faith and graduate from there like her sister?
Dad’s look penetrated. “Our family has to survive, and selling books would be a good experience,” he said. His dark eyes widened until his forehead wrinkled. “Think about my suggestion.”
He needn’t worry. That’s all she’d be doing.
Think about what? Sacrifice?
Rose-Marie twisted her hands together, tight between her legs. Here they went again. It didn’t matter that she’d have to leave her friends at school. No one seemed to understand that she belonged to Faith Academy.
No, they expect me to sacrifice everything as if what I want doesn’t count for diddly squat.
Next Scene – Rose-Marie returns to school and, during a sermon, acquiesces to Dad’s plans:
She could forget about holding back tears. Here they were.
The preacher started to pray. Saltwater blinded her escape as she quickly stood and made her way to the back of the chapel. When she passed the third row, her cousin sprang up and put an arm around her waist. They walked out together.
Her boyfriend, Troy, met them in the foyer. “What’s wrong?”
Rose-Marie’s chest heaved. “I… I’ve decided… I’m going to stay with my family. I won’t come back here, and I’ll sell books this summer.”
Her sobs increased. Troy ignored their school’s “no contact” rules and held her.
Would she ever be able to explain her life, her dreams, and her very self tumbling down around her, controlled by others’ decisions?
Take seriously how much our culture and the people around you influence your thought process. Does fear control you? Are you truly free? If not, move away from fear.
As survivor and whistleblower, Cathy O’Brien, says,
“Live the love you are.”
***
“Take heed that no man deceive you.” – Matt 24:4
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