We Are All Out of Control. Here’s Why.
I usually disagree with generalizations. I would say I always disagree with them, but it seems silly to argue against a generalization with a generalization.
That said, I strongly believe you can narrow down all aspects of life into two categories:
- What you can control
- What you can’t control
There’s a lot that happens in our lives that we can control. I get to choose what time I wake up each day, what I listen to on the way to work, and whether I order extra pickles on my Chick-fil-A sandwich. I don’t get to choose how many red lights I hit as I drive or how many inches of snow are on the ground (I’ve been reminded of the latter lately).
The problem is that, as human beings, we crave control. When we lose control, our brain interprets uncertainty as a potential threat. We try to compensate for the onset of fear by worrying, but this does far more harm than good.
We subconsciously think that we can exert control over an uncontrollable situation by worrying about the outcome, but in reality, we’re not impacting our circumstances at all, and our failed attempts don’t come without a cost.
Jesus teaches against worry in one of his most famous teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. He spends nine verses instructing us to abandon worry, and perhaps the most notable one-liner comes in Matthew 6:27 (NLT) when Jesus poses a powerful rhetorical question – “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
Truthfully, the answer doesn’t require much thought. As much time and energy as we devote to worry, it doesn’t produce any sort of positive outcome. Furthermore, not only does worry fail to impact the future, but it also robs us of the joy of the present moment.
When you’re a slave to worry, you fail to fully appreciate the blessing and provision of God. Instead, you imprison yourself inside a jail cell of which the only way out is to abandon the false God of control.
At the same time, Jesus’ antidote for worry is not to indict our motives or character. Instead, Jesus attempts to solve the problem of worry in our lives by reminding us how much our God, who cares for us deeply, provides for us day in and day out. Jesus points to the birds, who spend no time planting or harvesting food, yet God gives them provision each day. Jesus then turns his attention to the flowers, who don’t shop in high-end department stores or order custom-fitted suits, yet still reflect a beauty you couldn’t find anywhere else.
The message is simple: God’s grace, not our grit, is the source of our livelihood and well-being. God’s provision, not our proactivity, is what gets us through each day. This doesn’t mean that we should neglect our God-given responsibility to take care of ourselves (I don’t worry about where my next meal will come from, but I still show up for work and set aside time to shop for groceries, for example). What it does mean is that we shouldn’t attempt to overexert our control by putting our faith in ourselves when we reach the end of our ropes.
When we lack control, we must turn back to faith in Jesus, as everything and everyone must answer to Him.