Out of Control and Loving It: Giving God Complete Control of Your Life

by Lisa Bevere, John Bevere (Foreword)

Lisa Bevere's life was a whirlwind of turmoil until she discovered that whenever she was in charge, things ended up in a mess. Out of Control and Loving It! is her journey from fearful, frantic control to a haven of rest and peace under God's control. It shows how to surrender your life-your husband, children, finances, job or ministry-to God.

Are you holding on so tightly that God can't work in your life? Let go and discover the freedom and peace God intended you to have.

"Lisa Bevere is a woman I greatly admire and respect. Her life portrays a deep inner strength in her calling as a wife, mother, friend and inspirational speaker." Suzanne Hinn, Benny Hinn Media Ministries, Orlando, Florida

"...one of the most powerful books I have ever read on the subject of control." Marilyn Hickey Ministries, Denver, Colorado

"Next to the Bible, this book is perhaps the most important book a woman will ever read..." Lindsay Roberts, Oral Roberts Ministries, Tulsa, Oklahoma

"Lisa, my brave friend, has written a very poignant, needed and relevant book." Mary Brown, Music That Minsters, Nashville, Tennessee

"I commend Lisa for sharing her own life experiences to help other." Sharon Daugherty, Victory Christian Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma

"How refreshing to find someone so honest, selfless, forthright and transparent as Lisa Bevere." Dr. Fuchsia Pickett, Fuchsia Pickett Ministries, Nashville, Tennessee

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christian Non Fiction, Self Help, Religion

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Lisa Bevere is a Christian author of the books Lioness Arising, Nurture, Fight Like a Girl, Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry, Out of Control and Loving It! Be Angry but Don't Blow It! The True Measure of a Woman, and You Are Not What You Weigh.
In addition to speaking at national and international conferences, she is a frequent guest on Christian television and radio shows. Lisa is also the cohost of the weekly television program The Messenger, which broadcasts to 214 nations. She and her husband, John Bevere, also a best-selling author, make their home in Colorado with their four sons Addison, Austin, Alec, and Arden.

Reviews

[Trinka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it was a few years after I read this book that I was finally able to let go, I still feel this book "saved my life." Giving complete control is one of the hardest things we can ever do. Our human-ness drives us to always want to be in control. We feel if we keep trying we'll come up with the answers we need. However, this book introduced me to the idea of fully relying on God.

So, when life left me no other option, the lessons in this book came to mind and it was a little less painful. Now I can say that I am "Out of Control and [truly] Loving It!!"

[Sophia Vilceus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was precisely what I needed. I was so used to falsely believing that I needed to be in control of so much of my life, that I never let God be God. This book has allowed me to breathe in areas of my life that I was always holding my breath in. This book has allowed me to be free from all the things that left me uneasy. Well written. Biblically supported. A beautiful read...

[Chris Ballantyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

To give up control is one of the hardest things anyone has to do. God has no plan b for our lives and this book inspires us to let go and allow god.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book and just what I needed right now! From a young married/young mom perspective, Lisa Bevere tackles some tough issues with Scripture and the Spirit's leading and shares some amazing struggles and breakthroughs she experienced as her young family grew and under the stresses of ministry. Several chapters spoke directly to things I had been dealing with and trying to let go of. Don't agree with some of Lisa's beliefs, but all-in-all really helpful book for ladies, especially marrieds with children and/or full-time careers.

[pianogal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this one. Parts of it were good, but I thought it was just a choppy read. Maybe if someone used it more as a devotional than a straight read through. She'd make a point and have a scripture and make a point and have a scripture. Not necessary bad, just tough to stay engaged when this is the format.

[Cindy Scinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It's real and honest sharing of her heart and what troubles all women. I've read it more than once and suggest everyone read it at least one time. It's a fast read and easy to finish in one sitting.

[Prophetess Cassandra]

Recommended by my husband, good book to read

[Mary Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

life changing!!!

[Meghan]

Excellent. Recommended reading for Christian women.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished this book and enjoyed reading a book where the author was honest and willing to tell you things they were able to improve on in their life, in detail.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did this have to be a novella?? I know,I know. There will be two more...but I just want to keep reading!!

[Runya Chinyanga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great piece of writing!! I'm learning to surrender all control now-- and be OUT OF CONTROL

[Vanessa]

Highly recommended.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, applicable biblical truth

Excellent, applicable biblical truth. It opened my eyes to new things about how my faith (or lack there of) operates and to take action.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it was full of scriptures that had me flipping back and forth in my Bible to make notes and even have deeper understanding on some things. (Example that I LOVED: Read Matthew 10:34 and then read Hebrews 4:12. I had both verses highlighted and underlined with notes, but I never put these two verses together. It made it deeper for me, and I simply love adding new references in my Bible.)
A big element of this book was the fight against fear and all the many ways one fears, without even realizing it. Pride and fear are both spirits, but we have been given Holy Spirit to knock the devil around with!
Lisa is willing to share of herself in ways a lot of people will not or do not, and that to me is valuable. This book has you evaluating yourself from beginning to end, and not by comparing to others, but weighing every part of your life with the Word of God. The burden of life is weighing you down because it isn’t yours to bear, give it all to God and soon you will see that is how it’s supposed to be. Below are a few quotes that I enjoyed from this book…..

“Something higher awaits you, a freedom like none you’ve ever known. It is a priceless freedom that you must fight to maintain.”

“Our culture rewards achievement and appearance, but God rewards faithfulness and substance.”

“I have time for what I make time for.”

“Fear wants you to compromise the integrity of the Word of God…Fear always questions, distorts and undermines what God has said.”

Do yourself a favor and read this book.

[RaeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I knew I needed to read, but I didn't want to read it. I knew it was going to stretch me and it really did. I would have preferred more vulnerability in her examples, but it was still insightful. I also think there are broad stroke statements about how you are set free from these things, and I have not found that to be the case. It's an ongoing process to let go and stop controlling. It gets a little too evangelical for me in that regard. The sweeping generalities make you feel like it's just going to go away in that moment, but it takes more work and examination than that. I also really did not like the testimonies at the beginning of each chapter. It felt very sales/book promoting like. But as I choose to overlook those things I was really convicted by several chapters in the book. I realize so many areas I have to make some changes and that I have to take the chains off to be free. I appreciate Lisa's ability to speak Truth and cut through to what's really going on at the root in our hearts. If you are wound too tight and feeling exhausted then this book is for you. We can live without being in control of everything. I am learning . . . slowly . . . but I'm learning!

[Tré · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped transform me.

Dislikes- none

I believe that God pointed me toward this book and I am so glad He did!

I originally borrowed this book from my library. After reading it I now realize I need to purchase Out of Control and Loving It because I’m confident I will want to read it again and reference various chapters with ease.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe that many of us have had the out-of-control feeling. That is why I selected the book myself. We find out in this book that the out-of-control feeling is due to an attempt to control. The author covers a lot, most likely you will find passages you identify with. Read the book, you will be glad that you did.

[Rebecca Britt Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful insight and encouragement!

I can’t wait to share this book with my Bible Study Group. This is very insightful and never redundant. This will be a treasure. Thank you for writing this book Lisa!

[Jacklyn Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly life changing

Truly life changing. I see this book as reference. I see myself reading it again. Wow! I recommend this book.

[Annelize · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent writing style!!

[Rhonnie Cough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciated her honesty and transparency. Helpful book.

[Rebecca Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa is a great writer. Vulnerable and real. I found this about 30% longer than it needed to be (for me) but otherwise, engaging and insightful.

[Amanda Autry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still working on letting go.. It’s always a work in progress but it’s also a trust test of faith… 🥰 Great read on how turning it all over is more than what you even imagined..

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see myself in Lisa. I traveled similar paths in my own God walk. I too have had to deal with control though it manifested a little differently in me. Likewise, God has often answered my gripes and complaints with insights about myself, with a revelation about God, and/or with a challenge to trust something I already know to be true about God. Lisa's sharing of her own journey to true wholeness is inspirational because it is raw. It is a real story told by a real person. And though I've traveled the journey already, there were still takeawas for me in the form of confirmation of my own experiences and a continued challlenve to move forward and not go backwards.

[Kezi'ah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last 4 chapters of this book blew my mind!!! My eyes were opened and my heart stabbed! There's a verse in the Bible that someone gave me, saying God gave it to her to show it to me around 9 years ago, Ezekiel 47:1-12. I decipher it wrong all this time. The "river" is God! This was the best interpretation of those verses ive ever seen so far. It strike me hard. Thank you Lisa. Thank you for the reminder to let God take control of my life til the "river" is over my head and until i have no choice but to go where the "river" takes me. Thank you.

[Iva Shanahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Just a reminder who is in control and how much better it is.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sooo related to this book....

[Ashley Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

practical. That is what I love about Bevere
Although the is not as good as Lioness Arising, the wisdom is still present and deep for all of us control freaks. I didn't particularly enjoy how each chapter started with a testament to the book, I prefer when it speaks for itself, but that was my only real complaint.