From Out-of-Control to Held

with Wendy Palau

Do you feel out of control? Someone said to me yesterday, I'm going to start “manifesting.” As we were talking about the difficult days we've had in the world, I came to find out that manifesting is sort of a self-help strategy intended to bring about an outcome that we want—to make something happen by wanting it badly enough.

Feeling out of control can be extremely unsettling. At times, we become full of anxiety or even overwhelming fear. Have you ever tried to make that bad feeling go away by planning and controlling your life, thinking, “if I could just change one more thing, my life would feel better?” As believers, we know that we don’t have the power to make things happen just by willing them into existence. We can’t ‘manifest’ what we want. As we make our way through life, we realize the truth—there is little in life we can control.

Proverbs 16:9 says we can make our plans, but it’s the Lord who determines our steps.

That’s a comfort, isn’t it? The Lord determines our steps! Imagine if you didn’t know there was a loving God, guiding you toward purpose. Anxiety would have free reign. Life would feel like it was simply happening to us at random, by accident, and in no particular order. How overwhelming would that be—the fear and uncertainty of thinking anything awful could happen at any time, for no reason at all? Who do you know who feels that way right now—overwhelmed and afraid, with nothing secure to hold onto? Here’s what that person needs to know:

A better day is coming!

A day when all of Heaven and Earth will be made right.

When chaos will be brought back into order.

When pain, suffering, and confusion will be gone.

When we will see Jesus face to face.

When there will be no more fear and death.

There will be perfect peace.

Because of Jesus's death and his resurrection—because of His sacrifice, we know for certain that one day all will be as it should be. As believers, we can count on it! I can't wait for that glorious day!

But, what about right now? You have a message of hope worth sharing—even for today. Right now, our lives are held secure by the hands of the Creator-God who holds all things together. Right now, God’s powerful, strong hands are holding your life secure—in just the right time and place in all the universe. Can you picture it? Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah. It's about the stars, but it's about you, too.

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all of these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. (Isaiah 40:26)

What a beautiful truth! You know someone who feels out of control—who desperately needs to be held by the peace of God. Imagine how their life could change if they knew these things:

The one who holds the stars in place loves us!

He’s holding us steady.

Although it may feel wild, He is directing our lives.

He’s making things right in our lives even now!

Our way is not hidden from Him.

He is everlasting God, creator of the ends of the earth.

He promises to give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak.

We can lift our eyes to Him today.

You know, there is such peace to be found in God’s promises. And they’re not only for you. God wants to give His peace to every person who will come to Him. You can give that person—the one who feels like they’re randomly jolting from one disaster to the next—an offer of something better. Of someone better than any self-help in the world. You can offer them Jesus. The one through whom all things were made can give their life purpose. He will bring them peace and rest, even in the middle of life’s storms. Start the conversation today, so your friend can be held secure by the God who holds the stars in place.

Will you pray with me?

Lord, would You give us Your heart for those who don’t know You. Help us imagine what it would feel like to be tossed around in life, storms crashing over us, with no rescue in sight. God, we know You are in control, and Your plans for us are good, not random. Help us share Your message of hope with all who feel desperate to be held safe. You are our refuge and our hope. Amen.