Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
PROGRAM D-6904
I’ve been talking about trying to control the uncontrollable, which always ends up in frustration and disappointment. So, the lesson we need to learn is that if we will control the controllable, we can cope with the uncontrollable. Let’s think now about what we can control.
First, we can control our relationship with Jesus. Indeed, we are as close to Jesus as we want to be. If you’re like me, you find that the first thing you start to neglect when you’re struggling with the uncontrollable is your time with Jesus. But no one can keep us from having a close fellowship with Jesus if we want it. Is that uncontrollable thing or person in your life right now coming between you and Jesus? It doesn’t have to be that way.
Not long ago I spend some frustrating days trying to control the uncontrollable, worrying about the situation, and wasting precious time and energy on what I could not control. And while I was in that state, my desire to spend time with Jesus went downhill, because I was emotionally so exhausted over the uncontrollable thing.
But finally I got back to my time with the Lord, and as soon as I got back into the Word, it was like water on dry ground. I soaked it up, and realized how thirsty I was for the water that he alone can give. Once I was replenished by Jesus, I had a much better perspective on the uncontrollable, God sent a person into my life who helped me gain some needed insight, and I could put the uncontrollable situation behind me and move on.
Jesus has never moved away from you. If there is a distance between you and him, it’s because you’ve moved away. That’s one thing you can control, so move back close to him.
A second thing we can control is our thoughts. Paul wrote to the Corinthians
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)
I cannot overemphasize the importance of learning to control your thoughts and bringing every thought into captivity. Dear friend, if you tend to brood and think about the wrong things, imagine the worst, dwell on the negatives, and allow your thoughts to be controlled by the circumstances, you will never find victory over the uncontrollable nor will you know peace and contentment. If this is an area of difficulty for you, I have written a book, Think About What You Think About, which may be helpful in learning to control your thoughts. I encourage you to contact us for information on how to get that book.