We’ve all had moments where we thought we were doing the right thing—trying to protect someone we love, trying to make sure things turn out the way they’re supposed to. But sometimes, those good intentions can lead us down a path of control rather than trust. That’s exactly what happened in the story of Rebekah.
Rebekah started out strong. Her story begins with bold faith. She left everything she knew—her home, her family, her culture—to marry a man she had never met, trusting in a God she barely knew. That kind of obedience is powerful. It mirrors Abraham’s own story, stepping into the unknown because of a promise.
But as the years passed, things began to shift. Rebekah gave birth to twins—Jacob and Esau—and received a word from God that the younger son, Jacob, would carry forward the covenant promise. She believed that. But instead of waiting on God to bring that promise to life, she stepped in and tried to secure the outcome herself.
Her intentions weren’t evil. She was trying to make sure God’s word came true. But the way she went about it—deceiving her husband, manipulating her son, and scheming behind the scenes—tells a different story. Somewhere along the line, her faith turned into fear. And fear led her to believe that God needed her help.
The result? A fractured family. Jacob received the blessing through deception, and Rebekah never saw him again after he fled from Esau’s rage. What she thought was helping God actually caused incredible pain and separation.
The truth is, we’ve all been there. Maybe you’ve tried to speed up God’s plan because waiting felt unbearable. Maybe you’ve made a decision thinking it would protect someone, only to find that it caused more harm than good. That’s what happens when we take matters into our own hands. We lose sight of the bigger picture and trade God’s timing for our own.
And yet—God was still faithful. Jacob went on to father the twelve tribes of Israel. The covenant continued. The promise stood firm. Rebekah’s failure didn’t ruin God’s plan. That’s the beauty of grace. Even when we mess up, God is still able to redeem the story.
But that doesn’t mean the consequences aren’t real. Rebekah’s story is a warning for all of us who are tempted to control instead of trust. It challenges us to ask: Are we really surrendering things to God, or are we trying to make them happen our way?
If you’ve made decisions from a place of fear or control, know this: you are not disqualified. God’s love for you is not conditional. His promises aren’t based on your perfection. But He does invite you to let go of the pressure to make everything happen on your own.
Let Rebekah’s story be both a caution and a comfort. A reminder that even the strongest start can go off track if we lose sight of trust. And a reassurance that even then, God’s plan is still intact.
Maybe today, it’s time to release something you’ve been trying to hold together. Maybe it’s time to stop striving and start trusting.
Let’s pray.
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness even when we fall short. Help us to trust Your plan and Your timing, even when we feel the urge to take control. Teach us to surrender our fears, our desires, and our impatience to You. And when we do make mistakes, remind us that Your grace is greater than our failures. Thank You for being a God who redeems, who restores, and who always keeps His promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want to go deeper? Listen to the full episode here: The Cost of Control
