Midweek Encouragement - “When Life Seems Out of Control, What Can You Control?”

“When Life Seems Out of Control, What Can You Control?”

        ^{Trust me when I say that I’m not a control freak. But I know I’m not alone when I say that lately things seem to feel a little overwhelming. In this year of 2024, many people are faced with issues that have the potential to make life pretty complicated. Have you been feeling that so many things are out of your control that you feel like giving up? I sat down the other day and made a list of some things that we, as individuals, can control. See if you agree.} 

      ^{1. Your thoughts and actions. You can focus on what’s going right or what’s going wrong. What you think is how you feel so why not focus on the positive aspects of life! You get to choose how you speak to yourself, in a positive or negative way! Why not try to eliminate negativity and focus on your blessings?! Your thoughts are in your control. No one can make you think one way or another or make you act one way or another. You choose!} 

         ^{2. Your level of productivity. From the moment you wake in the morning, you get to choose how productive you’ll be. Whether its in your work, with your family, or in your friendships, you get to control whether you’ll waste time or put it to good use. I think each of us can also control the goals we set for ourselves. You and I determine how fervently we’ll push to reach those goals . . . or whether we want to throw in the towel and quit.}

         ^{3. Your view of yourself. You can’t control what other people think of you, but you can control what you think of yourself. Everyone will form their own opinion of you, but what matters is how you see you. Choose to be confident today and see what difference it makes in your level of perceived control.}

         ^{4. Your work ethic or what you give your energy to. Every single day you can control the level of energy you choose to put in to grow your knowledge and success. Few people are overnight successes, but if you choose to work hard daily, success will probably come.}

         ^{5. Your schedule. No one else can control how you invest your time. You have control over where you go, how long you’re there, and how full your calendar becomes. Why not develop a routine? If you include one thing in your schedule you KNOW you can do each day, you’ll control whether you feel successful and accomplished. Even something as small as making your bed each day can feel rewarding if YOU choose to make it. You do make your bed each morning, don’t you? (Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know!)}

         ^{6. How you treat others. You and only you can control your spiritual growth. You choose to follow the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31 in case you didn’t know it)! You can’t control how people treat you, but you can control how you treat others.}

         ^{7. What you eat. Don’t you think it’s true that what goes in is what shows on the outside? I’m going to sound like a hypocrite here, but the better you eat, the better you’ll feel both physically and mentally. No one can force you to eat something you don’t want. Unless, of course, you’re a kid and your mother says, “That’s what for dinner.” Even then you control whether you’ll eat it or go to bed hungry.}

         ^{8. Your level of honesty with yourself and others. Honesty truly is the best policy because it fosters better relationships with others and with yourself. Only you can control whether you’ll lie to get by or whether you’ll be honest with yourself and others.} 

         ^{9. What you allow in your head. We used to hear, “Garbage in, garbage out.” The TV shows you watch, the articles you read, the websites you view, the podcasts you listen to, all have an impact on your perspective, your worldview, and your attitude. Put good things in and you’ll feel better.}

         ^{10. How clean your space is. You can control how clean your house is, how cluttered your closets are, and even how clean your car is. I’m still convinced that my car is faster when it’s clean. Go ahead. Prove me otherwise!}

         ^{My friend, don’t you think it’s time to take responsibility for your choices and stop blaming Biden or Trump or Congress or CNN or Fox News? It’s time that each of us lives each day intending to be productive, positive and grateful. I may not agree with everything Timber Hawkeye has done or written, but I can’t agree with this quote: “You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.”}

         ^{Tell me what YOU believe are on your list of what you can control and maybe I’ll consider adding them to my list. Thanks for reading this week’s PD’s Mid-Week Encouragement.}

^

^{For those of you who will be in worship at the Mt. Laurel Church of God this coming Sunday, March 17, my message will be based on this Scripture:}

^{Psalm 51:1-12}

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.