We like to believe that we are in control of our lives. If we make the right choices, things should go the way we planned. However, no matter how well we live our lives, there really aren’t too many things we can actually control.

We can take the best care of our bodies possible, yet we still have no control over sickness and disease. We can go to the greatest doctors available when disease strikes, get the latest treatments, and still succumb to death.

We can do everything possible to keep our marriages and relationships healthy and strong. We can read all the books, attend all the seminars, get counseling when needed, yet still have failed relationships. We can do our parts, but we have no control over others’ decisions that can cause us pain and sorrow.

We can spare no expense building beautiful homes, expecting to spend the rest of our lives enjoying the fruits of our labor. But we have no control over the weather and natural disasters. Tornadoes, hurricanes, wild fires, floods can unexpectedly sweep through, destroying all we have built.

This all sounds pretty bleak and that everything in life is out of our control. But there are some things we do have control over. God has given us free will to make our own decisions and choices, but He has not left us on our own to figure it all out. We have the privilege to seek the Lord before making our decisions. He knows what is best for us and what the future holds.

We are the only ones who have control over our thoughts. No matter what control anyone else has over you, no one can read your mind or listen to your thoughts. Not even the enemy of our souls, Satan. Only God can hear our thoughts, and He has made a way for us to take authority over thoughts that are detrimental to us.

When we have negative, grumbling, complaining thoughts, we can ask the Lord to help us to change them into positive thoughts. When our thoughts are critical, condemning and judgmental towards others, we can ask God to help us see them through His eyes. We can give our fearful, worrisome, anxious thoughts to Jesus, trusting He will take care of the problems.

We also can control our attitudes and the way we respond to whatever situations enter our lives. Instead of reacting to others and circumstances in ways that will only make matters worse, we can cry out to the Lord to help us respond in healthy, godly ways. We can choose to cultivate thankful hearts and positive attitudes, and to forgive others.

We have complete control over how we respond to God. His Spirit is continually drawing, wooing, and calling out to us to turn to Him. God desires us to know, love and serve Him with wholehearted devotion, and to have an intimate relationship with Him. This is a choice only we can make.

We are also the only ones who have control over our eternal destination. There are two choices – heaven or hell. There is only one way to get to heaven, through the blood of Jesus that He shed on the cross for us. The choice is made simple for us – believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, confess Him as Lord, and you will be saved from eternal damnation. Why not do it today?

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.