We all have this tendency to think that we have things under control when we like how things are going. Or we feel stressed out because we don't feel like we have any control when things don't go the way we think they should.
The truth is that deep down people actually having control is an illusion.
All smoke 'n mirrors, baby.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
We only have control over our own actions and thoughts and words. Our choices. Not anyone else's choices. Or our children, our spouse, our coworkers, the freight train schedule that makes us late for school pickup, our government, our illnesses, nothing. Our choices can and will have an effect on others, but will not control others.
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
My dad was in Alcoholics Anonymous for a long time. When I was 16 he got sober. He was sober for 19 years before he died. We have the Serenity Prayer hanging in our front room. I always loved AA's slogans. Here is my favorites list:
One day at a time
KISS - keep it simple, stupid
We're all here because we're not all there :)
This too shall pass
If God seems far away, who moved?
The will of God will not take you where the grace of God will not
Courage to change
Slogans are the wisdom written in shorthand. My favorite having to do with control is "Let go, let God." If we let go of our need to feel in control, and move out of the way, then God will move
in and
through and
all around us and He will take care of everything. Fill every. Single. Need.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 1 Peter 1:8
Our God is the One who has sovereign control over us. Our lives. Over everything in the world. All the big things and all the details. Over all the good. And when "bad" things happen, maybe He made it happen, or maybe it was a person exercising their free will and making a bad choice that affected others.
One thing we know as Christians is that everything is all for His glory in the end. God will turn it all to good.
Every stinkin' thing.
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Romans 5:2
Maybe we get to see how He is glorified in this life. Maybe we don't.
The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:9
Hear it. Rinse. Repeat. "Salvation of your souls." Eternal life. In heaven. With Jesus.
Clarity. Joy. Love.
Awesome.
That's my goal.
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10
Let go, let God. So super-easy to say and so freaking hard to do.
I'm keeping my eyes on the prize at the finish line. I will love God. I will love the people around me. I will pray. I will struggle with this. I will turn the control over to Jesus.
Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Romans 6:13
Lord, take me and use me as your instrument.
Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. James 2:26
Lord, use me as your instrument. Bring it. I'm listening.
(((hugs))),
chris
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:11
