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PROGRAM D-8145
If you will control the controllable, you can cope with the uncontrollable. Some controllable things are our relationship with Jesus, and our thoughts.
Our Tongue: We can control our tongue—oops, that gets a little close to home, doesn’t it?! James tells us that when we control our tongues, we are able to control our whole personality. (James 3:2)
So much damage is done every day because tongues are out of control. Just think back over the past week: What words did you say which you wish you had not said? They just came out before you knew it and, once they are said, they cannot be unsaid. Oh, how we need to get control of our tongues and the words that we say! Relationships would improve immensely by simply controlling our tongues.
This is something to pray about daily. I pray several scriptures into my life concerning the tongue, including Psalm 141:3: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Our Attitudes: Attitude is always a choice. Have you been shifting blame a lot lately? Do you often say things like, “Well, you wouldn’t have a good attitude if you had my job,” or “How can you expect me to be positive, given all the problems I have”?
The facts are this: no one can force you to be in a bad mood—no matter how bad the circumstances are—if you don’t choose to be in a bad mood. You can control your attitude no matter what the circumstances.
These are just a few of the things in our lives that are controllable. If you and I will spend our time and energy keeping just these things under control, we will have the strength and wisdom we need to deal with those uncontrollable things.
If you’ve been spinning your wheels over the uncontrollable, I want to encourage you today to enter into the joy of letting go of the uncontrollable and focusing on controlling the controllable. You will discover incredible freedom, you’ll be more productive, you won’t be as tired, you’ll get along with people better and, most importantly, you’ll be more and more like Jesus.