It’s All Under Control
By Jennifer Dukes Lee
Reviewed by Ashley Davis
“As long as everything went exactly the way she wanted it to, she was totally flexible.” Boy! Does that sound familiar! If you’re anything like me, you crave control. A hold. Some kind of grip on the sometimes-insanity that is life. In her book It’s All Under Control, Jennifer Dukes Lee explores the farce that is control and encourages readers to identify areas where they crave control, to let it go, and to rest in the peace that God is the one truly in control!
As an aside, you may have noticed the pictures of my personal copy of It’s All Under Control are… not as aesthetically pleasing as ones we would normally post. That’s because I left my copy in the floorboard of my car and it sat in a water-bottle puddle for a few hours. Let me assure you, the control freak in me seriously considered spending another $12.99 for a new, unblemished, perfect copy of the book. But, I took a deep breath and accepted that it’s just a tangible proof of my need to LET IT GO. Back to the review!
This book takes the reader on a journey from an invitation to surrender to practical tips and tools to the rest and guarantee of God’s promise of control. There are 14 chapters in the book, and each one is short enough to easily read in one setting. At the conclusion of each chapter, Jennifer Dukes Lee gives the reader guidance on “Cracking the Control Code.” In this section, she helps to practically unpack the contents of the chapter by calling the reader to study a verse more deeply, tackle a journaling prompt, or dig deeper into the chapter’s content with resources she’s made available online and in the book’s appendix. These resources include information about the Three Control Characters, the Decision Tree, and a Do, Delegate, or Dismiss guide.
On occasion as I read this book, I would come across a section that I felt did not apply to me or that I was having a hard time grasping. During nearly every one of these instances, I noticed a little section on the side of the page that gave practical examples that “hit home” and made the area of control Jennifer Dukes Lee was expounding upon really come into the light. I always feel the light bulb of recognition alight when I read something and think, Yup… that’s me! Lots of instances like that in It's All Under Control. Here’s an example, check out the “Recurring Nightmares of Control Freaks” in the side column:
Here are some quotes I liked from It’s All Under Control:
“When you live surrendered, you still have a job to do. There's nothing passive about surrender. Surrender isn't an act of weakness but of extraordinary strength that will propel each of us into the "race God has set before us." Don't think about surrendering control as giving up. Think of it as giving in to a greater power” (17).
“…Our work can’t be the source of our identity. Our work should be an extension of our truest identity: in Christ” (51).
“I wonder how much damage I’ve inflicted under the chronic assumption that there’s something I can do about everything” (94).
“When I let go of what’s good, I make room for what’s best” (110).
“Our main job is not to control outcomes. It is simply to show up. Everything else is up to God” (147).
“Though he may be silent, God ha snot abandoned you. He is working while you wait. Do not confuse this divine delay with a definitive denial” (191).
“Choose best over busy… develop over do… good enough over perfect” (200).
Audience:
Women; young adult and older.
Usefulness Rating:
If you struggle with control (in other words, if you have a PULSE!) this book would be helpful and useful for you.
Entertainment Value:
This book isn’t meant merely for entertainment, but Jennifer Dukes Lee does have an entertaining and engaging writing style.
Good For Groups:
This would be good for groups! The book has an accompanying study guide and six FREE video sessions (6-8 minutes long each).
For more information about this book or other reading suggestions, feel free to contact me directly.
