TRUST OR
CONTROL?
Part I
by Dorcas Stutzman
Photography by Gianna Stutzman
Part I
Through the telling of her own story, Dorcas
helps women confront the matriarchal
spirit that binds us up in fear, distrust, and
manipulation. Will we choose trust, or control?
Read on to discover the truth about the spirit
of control, its manifestations, and the freedom
available through Jesus Christ.
8
EARS AGO IN A
DISTANT LAND lived
a young family. This
family was probably
very similar in many
ways to my family or
yours, just a husband
and a wife and
several children living together in a
cozy house. One day a visitor came
to see them and shared with them the
beautiful plan of salvation. Although it
was the first time they had ever heard
this message, both the husband and
the wife received it and invited Christ
into their hearts and lives.
This couple lived in a time and
place where followers of Jesus were
persecuted relentlessly. It was not
long until there was a loud knock at
the door and soldiers arrested the
young father, taking him to prison for
his faith. In prison he faced the most
awful conditions and torture one
could ever imagine. The soldiers were
determined to make him renounce his
faith! Day after day he was tortured.
Day after day he stood firm in his
faith. The soldiers could not make
him budge an inch!
Then one morning he awoke
to the harsh sound of his
cell door swinging open.
Into the room marched
the commanding officer
and his men. They yanked
him to his feet roughly as
the officer sneeringly told
him, “Today is the day you will