3:222 – I Don’t Have Control

#faithbites #faithjourney control

Setting

“Are the kids going to school online or in-person?” “What is going on with my job?” “What is going on with this virus?” “I don’t know who to believe.” Have you said any of these things? Are you feeling completely out of control? I know I am.

This world is crazy. Things are changing on a daily basis and the normalcy, even if it wild, isn’t there. We are trying to plan for a tomorrow that looks shaky at best. But what do we do? How can we find peace?

Scripture

• Nahum 1:7 – The Lord is good,
      a strong refuge when trouble comes.
      He is close to those who trust in him.
• John 16:33 – I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
• Romans 15:33 – I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection

I don’t know if we’ve ever had control over our lives. There are some things that seemed easy as they were set in stone. Schools would be open, we’d work, we had facts, and we generally knew what would be happening tomorrow. Even our false sense of control is gone.

As someone with mental health issues, I’ve been feeling this a lot. I took one minor step towards control by telling my doctor that I’m not ok and need to do a med check. This wasn’t something I did lightly. I prayed hard and asked God for some guidance and this is something he helped me towards. It won’t help me fully find peace but it’s a step.

In our scriptures, we see that God is our strength, our refuge, and our rock. In John, we specifically see that this world will be hard and we will be challenged. That even though this world is filled with trials and tribulations, we should not give us faith. Our Lord has conquered this world and gives us his peace.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always.

Challenge

Today’s challenge is very specific. Take a little control back. Write a list of what’s bothering you or what you want to accomplish. Too often we spiral as these things are in our head and we can’t get them out. Write them down on paper, pray to God about them, and let them be. If it’s something you can take action on, take one small thing and do it. If it’s something that is out of your control, you have now given it to God. Let him handle it.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, your people are feeling more out of control than ever. Grant us your peace and calm during this storm. We don’t know what tomorrow is going to look like, but we know that you are already there. Help us to see that it will be ok and you will make it that way. Give us easy actions that we can do to take these concerns from our minds and give them to you. Remind us that life will be hard, but you will never leave us.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for all of these things. We love you and give you all the Glory. In your name, Amen.