I was donating plasma today, or trying to, and found I couldn’t because my protein count was too high-just barely. Advice: cut back on milk and meats and drink more water. This reminded me though; I know some believers who would say everything happens for a reason. So does this mean that God mysteriously raised my protein levels so I couldn’t donate and make $50? Hmmm. ..The great mystery of life. One side debates that God controls everything and all we do is live a life of submission and whatever happens happens. An overemphasis of God’s sovereignty. The other side emphasizes man’s free will to the point that it looks like God fit into our plans instead of us fitting into His. If the vertical relationship is truly a relationship it must take effort on the half of both parties. Submitting to God simply means doing things His way instead of a way which goesn’t involve trusting in God (the root cause of sin) and demanding our own way to the point of wearing ourselves out. If being controlling or manipulative kills marriages and marriage is a picture of the Vertical relationship, then God isn’t that controlling or restrictive. He’s in control of all things and directs our steps by opening doors for us to walk through, as well as closing doors that aren’t good for us. He also works things out for the good of those who love Him-i.e.; keeping them backsliding to the point of renouncing their faith, but He also allow us to make our own decisions in life. Thus, we have control over our life. Our job is to trust our Heavenly Father to lead, guide, and direct us to make the right choices so as to attain His blessings. We come to God out of own free will, but because we are spiritually dead apart from Him it takes His drawing power to do this. People talk about God calling them to a particular vocation or to marry or remain single. The only thing God calls us to do is be in a relationship with Him. As we grow closer to Him and learn more about Him, He grants us divine wisdom so as to make righteous choices. Everything usually happens for a reason, but God gives reason to it rather than simply to force us to submit to His will. Would you respect and revere your earthly father if he worked things out just to force you to do what He wanted you to? I probably wouldn’t. Being a free spirited writer, part of my anger was being in structured situations where I felt trapped. Anger is related to either trying to control others or allowing others to control you. For example, allowing the System to take advantage of you either through healthcare or Corporate America. Anger triggers depression, anxiety, mania, paranoia, and even psychosis. Society’s solution is to take medicine which only serves to relieves symptoms and does nothing to resolve the issues. Also, if you are sensitive or emotional, or different in any way, some people will bully you to provoke you to cry or lash out. This is usually their efforts to control. Bullies are usually insecure in themselves. Beth Moore was quoted to have said that insecurity is a form of unbelief. Our three basic needs are love, security, and significance. All three are found in a personal and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father through the blood sacrifice of His One and Only Son by the power of the Holy Spirit.