UNPACK This...Opting to Trust GodSample

Control What You Can Control

The final week of the NFL regular season is always wild. Complicated scenarios arise when teams attempt to secure a place in the playoffs.

Although coaches like control, they can’t control the outcome of all the other games taking place. As a result, coaches have to tell their players to “control what you can control.”

Players must focus on winning their game, instead of paying attention to what’s happening across the league.

As fans, we can relate to this concept and understand that a lot takes place in our lives that is beyond our control. This reality can either lead us to a place of despair, or a true surrender to God.

Part of realizing that so much is out of our control is the acceptance that God is worthy to be trusted. Despite living in a broken world filled with evil, we know that God wins in the end!

He is God and we are not. Since life is not up to us, this should lead to peace. Worry and fear take over when we think we’re in charge, but the sooner we admit we’re not, the better off we’ll be.

Romans 11:33-36 declares, ”Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back? For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen.”

Psalm 135:6 says, “The Lord does whatever pleases Him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths.”

God is in control and knows what’s best, so let’s find peace as we believe this to be true. Let’s also control what we can control and make decisions that honor God in the present.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: God, I place my trust in You as I know You are in control. Your plans are better than mine, and I thank You for leading me and guiding me. Please help me not to worry about what’s out of my control, and focus on what You’re asking me to do each day. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.