What Do We Mean When We Say, "God Is In Control?"

Whenever bad things happen or we go through struggles or the future seems uncertain, we often say that we know that God is in control. We also say that "the safest place to be is in the center of God's will" and "God will not give us more than we can bear." It could be that these axioms show a proper understanding that God is in charge of all things and that He will work out His will as He sees fit. Or, it could mean that we think that because God loves us that everything will work out in our favor and we don't have to worry because God is in control and we have exercised our faith and He will work things in our favor. The first perspective is Biblical. The second is Prosperity Gospel and is somewhat pagan. We are not the center of the universe and God does not work on our behalf. But, God is working and we can trust Him because He is good and He does love us. His ways are higher than our ways and His plans are better than our plans and what He is most jealous for is His own glory and our participation in worship and relationship with Him. Us being conformed to Christ's image is better than us getting our way and things working out for us.

I have a friend, Charlie, who was just diagnosed with cancer. He is getting this. His greatest desire right now is to please God in his suffering. He is praying for healing and asks God for it everyday. But, underlying that request for healing is a belief that God is good and he can trust Him, even if healing doesn't come his way. From that place of trust in God and not in results or healing, Charlie is asking for healing. I am asking too and ask that you join me in that prayer.

Psalm 46 comes to mind this morning. Here it is:

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Come and see the works of the Lord,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah (Psalm 46:1-11 NIV84)

Selah. Think about this. Be still and know that He is God. Everything starts with God and not us. Trying to get that through my head and into my heart and worked out through my life this morning.

Comments

[Steve Martin]

This is so tough for so many Christians, including myself.

Be thankful and joyful about the bad things and suffering in our lives? Huh?

Yes. It's so hard to do, but He is in control and has a purpose in all of it.

Thanks.

[Lisa]

Very hard to trust this sometimes but deep down I KNOW it is true....my prayer has become "whatever glorifies you Lord" in this very dark time in our family's life. That is hard to pray but you are right, we are not the center of the universe and it is for HIS plan, not ours. And he knows the plans he has for us...and they are good. We have to trust that!
Thanks for sharing.