If there’s anything we’ve learned from the past couple of years, it’s that we’re not always in control. As we all know, God has plans for us which can sometimes take us in unexpected directions. Nevertheless, there are always aspects of our lives that we can steadily take charge of.
What Does it Mean to “Take Charge”?
Taking charge means accepting control and taking responsibility. I love this definition because it shows that it’s not about controlling everything around us, but about taking responsibility for all that we can control.
Believe me, this is easier said than done. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been overcoming a case of COVID-19, which has made “taking charge” quite difficult. Once I saw that positive COVID test, a series of thoughts flooded my mind: “I won’t get to see my family”, “I won’t get to go outside”, essentially all pointing to the booming phrase: “I am not in control of this.”
I’ll be honest, I was devastated for a few moments there. But after gaining some clarity, I realized something; I can’t control the fact that I have this illness, but I can control my attitude towards it. I decided at that moment that I wasn’t going to let COVID get the best of me. I knew I could walk out of my house in ten days and say, “ugh, COVID ruined everything,” but instead I challenged myself to ask, “what kind of positive changes can happen from this situation?”
Tactics for Taking Control.
After this realization, I began to slowly take charge of the things I could control. One tactic I found very helpful was writing down all the things I was grateful for every day. I wrote down how grateful I was for my husband, my kids, my friends, but most importantly, that I had a God who could heal me and get me through this process. Once I put my life into perspective and took charge of my mindset, I felt so much better!
Another way I took charge of this situation was that I thought about my overall health. Although I was sick and there wasn’t much I could do, I knew there were other ways I could take charge of my physical health. I did what was in my control; I lifted weights, drank lots of fresh water, took vitamins, etc. I took charge of anything I could to keep myself going physically.
I also saw this time as a unique opportunity to grow spiritually. I knew that if I wanted to leave isolation stronger and healthier than before, I would need to take control of my thoughts, emotions, and words. God’s Word was such an abundant resource for me and I’ll always be thankful for the time I spent engaging with the Holy Spirit. This is something I’d encourage everyone to do, for it’s something we have complete control of at all times!
Moving Forward.
Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” When we focus on the negatives within our lives, we are not sowing good seeds. We all reap what we sow and we can choose to sow good seeds through the Lord who gives us strength.
Look back at your own life. Are there areas where you could be taking charge? Are there areas where you could be sowing good seeds, but are instead shrouded in negativity? This is your sign to take responsibility and live your life as God intends. Yes, there are things we can’t control, but many that we can. Identify those things and control them with the Lord by your side.
To learn more about taking charge, be sure to check out my full Facebook Live on this topic here! Thank you all so much. Have a blessed day today!
