What can you do when everything feels out of control?

2020??? Having lived over 60 years, I have never in my life experienced the complete change of direction for the year of all the plans which so many people had, including myself! The impact on the economy is clear...the impact on the human soul and heart I fear is leaking to the surface, not always in a good or healthy way, however, I believe the majority of that frustration remains buried and is not being processed. If left undealt with, the damage to many will be very disheartening. Already strained relationships in families are impacting homes, domestic violence, addictions, and suicides have increased. 

When we lose control of so much, what can we do? I believe the answer lies in learning to control the only thing we in reality have control over...Our Minds! Even without a Pandemic, all the plans we have are not really under our control if we are honest. Yet, even if we were trapped in an elevator, during a blackout, in the middle of a Typhoon we still have control over our thoughts! I have felt led by the Lord to camp on this issue for the next several devotions. 

When everything around is falling apart, there are two Truths you need to fix your mind and heart on:

First Truth: The Sovereign God of the universe remains on the Throne and is still in complete control…either causing OR allowing everything that is happening. 

Second Truth: You alone control how you process all the circumstances! 

I discussed the first Truth in 3 devotionals I posted in March 2020, 15th, 16th, & 17th, feel free to read them at: gwmnate.blogspot.com 

God never has the problem, we do! So I want to consider how we can take control of our mind from examples in Scripture. 

Begin with this principle concerning humans from Scripture:

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

How we think determines how we act. Consider David: 

1 Samuel 16:1–13 Now the LORD said to Samuel… “Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse… for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.” When David came before Samuel the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.”

David had heard what God said…he was to be the King, not Saul. This was God’s decision. Saul rejected that and sought to kill David. Twice David had the chance to kill Saul while he slept, (1 Sam. 24:4-7 & 26:8-11) yet he took this stand: 

David said, “As the LORD lives, surely the LORD will strike him, or his day will come that he dies, or he will go down into battle and perish. “The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’S anointed”

David did not try to control this outcome, instead, he controlled his mind with this thought – “God said it, Therefore HE will bring it to pass!” David put God's testimony on the line, he based everything on Who God is, not who he is or what the circumstances are!

The Scriptures are full of God’s promises to us, consider just these two:

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

Hebrews 13:5–6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?” 

The So What: Who or What are you trusting in during this difficult time? Politicians, Doctors, Money? Focus your mind on Who God is and His promises! Embrace this thought: "God, I yield to You and believe no matter what happens, I am in Your hands!"