February 7, 2012 with 13 Comments

505.

Things I can’t Control

I can be a control freak.

I like to call the shots. I like to know what’s coming. I like to have a plan.

Sometimes to a fault.

At this point the mothers reading this post are laughing their heads off. Control? What control? The only person with any control in this house is my 2 year old toddler!

Yet in my single minded naivety I make my to do lists, double check my bank account, limit my circle of friends, and break off engagements, all in an effort to keep everything just a little bit more synchronized than the gold medal olympic swimmers.

It’s laughable because it doesn’t take long for something, yes – anything – to get mildly out of sync and make everything come crashing down on me.

And when that happens, I initially have a fit, and then am gently reminded that in fact, control is simply an illusion.

Only God controls.

We react.

And though I do a pitiful job of reacting on many days, the Holy Spirit is eternally committed to changing that. He’s teaching me that even though I can’t control most things in life, I do have the ability to respond in a Christlike manner. So today, I thought I’d share 10 things I cannot control, but the Godly ways I am learning to react to them:

1. I can’t control what others say but I can control the words that come out of my mouth.

2. I can’t control what others do but I can control what I do to others.

3. I can’t control what others think but I can control how I think.

4. I can’t control the way I look but I can sure enhance it.

5. I can’t control the family I was born in but I can accept it.

6. I can’t control the economy but I can save consistently and spend wisely.

7. I can’t control the weather but I can wait for it to pass.

8. I can’t control the future but I can trust it to the one who can.

9. I can’t control the past but I can move beyond it.

10. I can’t control God’s ways but I sure can talk to Him about it!

Look, the point is simple:

Stop worrying about what you can’t control and start working on what you can.

Can you think of other things you can’t control? Share them in the comments section!

Related posts:

In Faith, Inspirational

  • Gina

    Morning! I can’t control why my hair&nails grow so fast.Can’t control Y I sweat like a man when I workout. Don’t care what others think of me of me anymore. I only care what God&my family&my close friends think on certain matters. I can’t control the joy&growth I have received reading this blog&listening 2 ur lectures. Thank-you Lina! :)

  • Gina

    P.s. Love the 10 things. 2012 Best yet!

  • Ruth

    I can’t control the process of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of tose around me. His way, His time…it’s a process.

  • Milo

    I can’t control the outcome of my work, but I can trust God to use it for His glory. Nothing is wasted with God even when we mess up. All we can control is our reactions. We need to act not to react.

  • Kelly

    Hi Lina!
    Thanks for this! :) God’s been growing me a lot in this. Great encouragement!! Miss seeing you & your beautiful self.
    Kelly

  • TerrieAnn

    I can’t control when my body will or will not fight off the germs I am exposed to daily, but I can choose to eat healthy, exercise, and wash my hands. And, since I was sick and now my daughter is sick….I am just getting to my memory verse entry. :)

    TerrieAnn, Palatine-You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

  • Diane

    Number 8 and Number 10 sooo needed today – thanks Lina!

  • ramzi

    this reminds me of what mother teresa said…too long 2 type now

  • Telma

    Everything seems out of control when I WANT control. But as soon as, I open my hands and hand it over to HIM, then it is when things get in their place and look in control. It is not my place where God has 100% authority and I am only to trust him.
    Thanks Lina :)

  • Tammy

    Thanks Lina. : ) Reminds me of – ATTITUDE by: Charles Swindoll
    [The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
    Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. (...a relationship)
    The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.] And we know God is in control.. Always… Thank God! :)

    • Tammy

      I cannot control — but I agree with Swindoll, it is how I respond + react to it Sorry, it was so long but I thought worth sharing. Have Smiley Day :)

  • Gina

    Dr.L sorry I couldn’t be there.Tina should be telling u some fantastic news I received today.You guys are such an inspiration. You have know idea.Have a good night. :)

  • amber

    I can’t control what my small group girls do in the week with the study, but God can!

    I can’t control the fact that everyone around me is getting married this YEAR!

    I can’t control what this year will bring, but knowing God’s hand is over it gives me peace :-)