“3 Things You Can Control”
- WHO YOU TRUST: Who do you know that cares about you enough that they will never intentionally lead you wrongly? Hopefully, you have one or two friends you can depend on that will encourage you when needed or scold you when you’re doing or thinking of doing something that will harm you. Speaking of friends – there will never be a friend like Jesus. He always has your back, lifts you when you fall, and never will forsake you.
The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). “And now we know that for those who trust God, all things work together for good, for those called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
- WHAT YOUR DO: No one can make you do anything you don’t want to do. They can try to make you feel guilty for not doing something, pay you to something, or offer a gift if you do what they want. Everyone has a choice. You have a choice! Even being held against your will, you still have a choice between doing what is right and what is wrong. Things will happen beyond your control, how you deal with those things is up to you.
- YOUR ATTITUDE: Philippians 2:5 says, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Romans 12:9-13 states, “Love must be sincere, hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
You are what you think you are. You can do anything you believe you can. The one person you need confidence in is yourself. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). You can control what you think. A good and healthy thought life produces good behavior.
Pastor Carnes
