This book was truly eye-opening and filled with Scripture that carries you through some of life’s hardest seasons. I could relate to so much of what was shared. As a caregiver, I found myself struggling with anger and bitterness because I wanted so badly for my siblings to help, and deep down I believed I could somehow control the situation and the people around me.

One of the hardest yet most amazing lessons God has taught me is that I cannot control others , only surrender them to Him. Through that process, God delivered me from that mindset and gifted me with a testimony that only true deliverance could bring.

So many quotes spoke to me throughout the book especially “Only God is capable of steering us toward what is best. If a person doesn’t want to change, there’s nothing I can do to change them.” That truth brought both conviction and freedom to my life.

This book is full of wisdom, healing, honesty, and biblical truth. I highly recommend it to anyone walking through hurt, control issues, and fears struggles, or learning to fully trust God with the people they love.

I have read just about every book Lysa has written. I learned about Lysa TerKeurst when she did a Convecation at Liberty University years ago, and soon after realized she had written a few books. Making Peace with What I Can't Control is a reminder to me that I am an overthinker, that I do and say things I shouldn't when I'm stressed, and that I've learned how to get past that. It's about finding relief if you are an overthinker and working through it in the long run. This is something that I have needed to work on, and while I'm not perfect at it, I've learned ways to help the situation. I simply can't be afraid of the what-ifs; I just need to focus on the present and not overthink it. This is a book I plan to purchase for my collection of books by Lysa. If you're an overthinker, think you can't control the world or your life, think again, because you can.

This book was really helpful and insightful especially after reading one of her previous books. I’m glad to have gotten the opportunity to read it.

Making Peace with What I Can’t Control by Lysa TerKeurst was a thoughtful and helpful read overall. The book does a very good job of helping readers identify patterns of control in their lives, recognize anxiety and overthinking, and learn to surrender these things to the LORD. I especially appreciated the practical side of the book — journalling through fears, reflective questions, reminders about healthy boundaries, and the included prayers throughout the chapters.

There are also many encouraging lines that stayed with me, such as: “God doesn’t need my help; He wants my obedience,” and “I either trust in my own efforts or I trust in God. This is the rhythm of recovery from control: repentance and trust.” The book also contains a large section of Bible verses readers can turn to, so it is clearly written from a Christian perspective and intended to encourage believers toward trust in God.

Personally, one of my struggles with the book was that it often reads more like a self-help or therapeutic-style book mixed with Christian faith and encouragement rather than a deeply doctrinal or theological work. There is a strong emphasis on emotions, personal healing, self-reflection, and practical coping tools. Readers who prefer deeper doctrinal exposition or a more Scripture-centered teaching style may not connect as much with this approach.

There are also many personal stories throughout the book. Some examples are very relatable and helpful, though at times the storytelling can feel longer than necessary or could have been handled more directly. Still, the stories do help illustrate the themes of surrender, fear, trust, and control in practical ways.

Leaving those concerns aside, I still found the book beneficial and well written. Even non-believers could likely find useful insights about control, anxiety, and relationships. For Christians, the strongest parts of the book are the reminders to trust God rather than ourselves and to surrender our lives into His hands. At the same time, I do think Scripture calls us to surrender not only the things we cannot control, but ultimately everything to God.

Overall, I’d personally rate this around 3.5 stars because I’m generally not a big fan of Christian self-help style books. However, since NetGalley doesn’t allow half stars and I do think this is better than a 3-star read, I’m giving it 4 stars. In the end, it is a good reminder that the surrender God invites us into comes with the assurance that what we willingly place into His hands, He is faithful to care for according to His will.

Lysa TerKeurst books have a way of finding their way into my life at just the right time, and this was once again that happening. She has this incredible gift to put words to feelings and translate faith into action. She does it by being honest and vulnerable about her life in a way that is also relatable to a reader, and you can easily "take what you need" from her reflections. I found myself highlighting so many passages of this, and I anticipate it's one that I'll revisit many times. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the look at this September 2026 release.

A must read for those struggling with anxiety that leads to control issues. What God’s plan is for me, what others choose, and what happens around me is not my control. Submitting to the will of God and peace in Christ is necessary for a fulfilled life. Lysa touches on these principles and more in this straightforward guide.

I’ve always appreciated Lysa TerKeurst’s writing style, and this book reminded me why. She has a way of taking difficult topics and making them approachable through personal stories, biblical truth, and practical encouragement. Her writing is easy to read, relatable, and filled with compassion.

The book started very strong for me. The premise of learning to make peace with things we can’t control is something many people struggle with, and I was excited to see where Lysa would take the topic. However, as the book progressed, I felt the focus became much more centered on dealing with difficult or destructive people, those making harmful choices, refusing help, or creating chaos in relationships.

While those sections will undoubtedly resonate with readers navigating situations involving addiction, unhealthy relationships, or loved ones who won’t listen to wise counsel, I found myself wishing the message had remained more broadly focused. When I picked up this book, I was hoping for more discussion about surrendering control over circumstances in general—things like work situations, family concerns, unexpected life changes, and the many outcomes we simply cannot manage no matter how hard we try.

That said, there is still a great deal of wisdom here. Lysa does an excellent job pointing readers back to God, challenging fear-driven control, and reminding us that we were never meant to carry burdens that belong to Him. Her vulnerability and honesty make the book engaging, and her biblical foundation remains strong throughout.

If you’re struggling with a difficult person in your life or finding yourself constantly trying to fix someone else’s choices, this book will likely be especially meaningful. I simply wish the scope had been a little broader to address the many other forms of control we wrestle with in everyday life.

Thank you to Nelson Books and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

You know those books that come into your life at exactly the right moment—books that feel like a gift from God, placed in your hands when you need them most? Making Peace with What You Can’t Control was that book for me.

The past several months have been a bit tumultuous, and Lysa’s words spoke directly to my heart. This book reminded me that true peace doesn’t come from trying to control every outcome or fix every problem. Peace comes from trusting God, even when circumstances feel uncertain. Like Lysa shares throughout the book, what we often believe is the “right move” can sometimes be our attempt to take control rather than surrendering the situation to God.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was how much Scripture was woven throughout each chapter. Lysa doesn’t simply share her experiences—she grounds them firmly in God’s Word, providing encouragement and truth for readers who may be facing their own struggles. I also loved her reminder that God’s gifts and evidence of His presence are all around us if we are willing to open our eyes and see them, much like the beautiful illustration of the earrings shared in the book.

What made this book especially impactful was Lysa’s honesty. She has walked through incredibly difficult seasons and openly admits that she still wrestles with the desire to control, fix, and figure everything out. That vulnerability made her message all the more powerful. God’s ways are not our ways, and His plans are always better than anything we could orchestrate on our own.

Thank you, Lysa, for writing this book. Reading it felt like sitting down with a trusted friend over a cup of coffee, sharing life’s hard truths, and leaving with a renewed sense of hope. It was exactly the comforting hug my heart needed.

Making Peace with What I Can’t Control by Lisa TerKeurst is written for everyone who struggles with the emotional pull of controlling people and circumstances in life.

TerKeurst guides readers to identify the areas.in which they are assuming responsibility when inappropriate. She helps us spot the fears that lead us to grasp for control. Readers will learn how to surrender to God’s control and assume stewardship of the part He has called us to carry.

At the end of each chapter in the E-book there is a QR code. The author shares a life lesson or creative idea that brings more clarity to what she has written.

Grab a tissue BOX, a pen, highlighter, tabs, your Bible, and notebook! Lysa TerKeurst's books are always a must read and this one is even better than the last with wisdom that helps readers find real peace in the midst of this very broken world. I've never wanted to read a book word for word alongside my loved ones more!

In Making Peace With What I Can't Control, Lysa puts into words what I have struggled with for years now: anxiety arises when you want to control life- even for good and beautiful reasons. God never designed us to be our own saviors, after all, He provided the only hope in Jesus. But are we just supposed to let life fall apart around us? Control by itself is not sin, but one must ask themselves, "what do I aim to control?" Myself, my thoughts, and responses or other people? Self-control glorifies God; the other kind often leads to heartbreak, anger, and burnout.

Throughout the book, Lysa teaches us to recognize our own behaviors and how to let other people make their own choices. She introduces the 6 P's of control- some I had never even thought of as control!- and how to develop the emotional maturity necessary to "stop co-signing chaos" in others' lives. Lysa never shys away from biblical Truth, gently helping us understand that real suffering is when we take our eyes off God, not the pressure we feel believing we control and are responsible for all of life. It's only by giving everything to the Lord that we can experience deep peace. Decay occurs. Disaster will strike. Our hope is not in getting our way every single time, but in the Almighty Lord who loves us enough to die for us. Our hope is heaven with Him, not earth without him.

Each chapter ends with relevant verses, reflection questions, and a prayer to center your mind and heart on Truth. What's new is the QR code leading readers to additional videos which further expand upon the topic! Just scan and watch! I know I will come back to this book time and time again as I work through the stages of letting control go and accepting that the God of the universe really does care for me and who I care about too. The journaling questions from chapter 6 really helped my mind process through and heart accept the reality of situations I didn't think I could ever mentally or emotionally let go of- or didn't even know I was trying to control! I am so thankful for this book!

A few of my favorite quotes:
"I'm surviving my life, but sometimes I wonder if I'm even enjoying my life."
"... if I couldn't find safety with God then I wouldn't be able to find safety by counting on anyone else. The only one I could truly count on was me."
"So what is within my ability to control? My choices. My actions. My reactions. My attitude. Those are my responsibility."
"Control is fear disguised as strength."
"I'm afraid to let others have the power to choose. And I'm afraid God might use his power in a way I would never choose."
"A fool is one who disconnects their actions from the consequences that will follow."

Thank you to Lysa TerKeurst, Nelson Books, and NetGalley for this ARC!

Lysa Terkeurst always writes with vulnerability and honesty from the hardest parts of her own life. This book is full of wise advice but most importantly, Biblical counsel in how to steward our emotions, choices, and decisions when life just doesn’t seem to make sense or to be going the way we hoped and planned.

🙂What I loved about this book is the chapter summaries and prompts that add depth and opportunity for personal reflection.

Favorite quote: ‘Control is fear disguised as strength.’

3.5 ⭐️

“Control is fear disguised as strength.” This suggestion was very thought provoking for me and makes me reflect on my need to control.

I was excited about the topic of this book as I certainly have a propensity for being controlling, and though it was full of reflections and scripture that was helpful, there was no personal “aha” moment for me that is really going to make me adjust going forward. I do hope to be more intentional and aware after studying the topic, but that’s the biggest takeaway.

I did absolutely LOVE the QR codes at the end of each chapter linking to the companion videos. All Bible studies should do this!

Having been a fan of hers for a few years, and having an opportunity to hear her speak at my church, I was eager to dig into Lysa TerKeurst's newest book. How often do we try to control everything (and sometimes everyone) around us? One of my friends told me about an activity where you draw a circle. Inside the circle you write everything you can control. Outside the circle you write everything you cannot control. It helped me pay attention to the things that matter and to pray for guidance to know the difference. As always, Lysa shares wisdom and points us to God. He helps us put everything into perspective.

Once again, Lisa Terkeurst has written a book that speaks to the heart of women. I appreciate her authenticity in this book, and the candid way she approaches her own struggles with control.