Take Back Control
What comes to mind when you hear the words 'taking control'?
It can bring to mind both positive and negative scenarios. In a positive sense, we are served well when people take control in a time of crisis or when vision or direction is required. The other side can be a negative experience when someone uses control to manipulate or for selfish gain.
As believers we can read about both perspectives in Gods Word. We can read about resting in God and how He is ultimately in control. Yet there are many verses that direct us to action and taking control of our lives and future.
I wonder if there has been a growing hesitation in the church in recent times to talk about us in the context of taking control for fear of it sounding negative or being seen in a small way of not trusting in God?
Whilst I believe God is ultimately in control of my life, I'm convinced that I have a part to play - an important part to play. Here are 3 ways in my experience that I feel God challenges me to take control:
1. Culture Control
Every home has a culture and I can testify of the importance of ensuring the culture of the home remains healthy and as it should be. Controlling the culture involves protecting what matters to us most.
Culture can be defined as a way of life, customs and beliefs, the way people behave and speak at a particular time. Your home has a culture. It's found in the way people interact with each other and born out in the behaviours of your family.
If you don't control the culture of you home, someone else will set it for you.
The early church was a mix of cultures and doctrines, so much so that the early church leaders continually found themselves taking control of the culture. We can see this clearly in Galatians 3:24 whilst Jew and non-Jew were struggling to understand the culture of unity in this new kingdom.
And we no longer see each other in our former state—Jew or non-Jew, rich or poor, male or female—because we’re all one through our union with Jesus Christ with no distinction between us - Galatians 3:28 TPT
Don’t adapt to the culture of the room, influence the culture in the room
What is the culture of your home?
Talk about the blessing more than you talk about the problem
I encourage you to take control of the culture in your home, marriage and business (if you're a business owner).
How do we take culture control in our homes?
Make decisions that will change the atmosphere
Set some non-negotiables in place
Reward and celebrate the culture you desire
Change the language of your home
Write down a vision for your home
2. Quality Control
No matter where you find yourself today or whatever you are doing, quality plays great significance in our day to day lives. Whether it is a product you are using or a service you’re hiring, the quality can change everything.
Quality isn’t expensive, it’s priceless
As a believer we must consider the quality of our lives and what influences it. I wonder sometimes if we just settle and accept whatever life serves up to us. We miss out on so much because there is no quality control in our lives.
Do you see a man skilful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men - Proverbs 22:29 ESV
How is the...
Quality of the time with our spouse?
Quality of the time with our children?
Quality of time spent in prayer and devotions?
Quality of the relationships that matter most to you?
Quality of respect given around your home?
Quality of service to each other?
Quality of encouragement?
The greatest gift you can give someone is your time
Quality can be described as the standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something.
So if you know of an opportunity to do the right thing today, yet you refrain from doing it, you’re guilty of sin - James 4:17 TPT
How do we apply quality control in our lives?
- Doing what is right, not what is easy
- End excuses
- Go the extra mile
- Place value on what matters most
- Change your diary
3. Self Control
There is a challenging proverb that says,
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls -Proverbs 25:28 ESV
Wow, how true this is! As believers we must take control of our actions, thoughts and how we talk. We must maintain a healthy body, soul & spirit to stay focused on the mission/vision in our hands and heart.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship - Romans 12:1 ESV
My mind goes straight to the account in 1 Samuel when David was distraught that his wives had been taken captive by his enemy. To make things worse his men were ready to heap the blame on him for their loss too.
David couldn’t control the crisis but he could control how he would respond in the crisis.
Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God - 1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV
How do we apply self control in our lives?
Renew our minds daily (Romans 12:2)
Guard our hearts (Proverbs 24:3)
Be accountable to wise friends (Proverbs 13:20)
Think on good things (Philippians 4:8)
Train your mind to be tougher than your emotions
Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, decide to take back control.
- Andrew
Andrew, alongside his wife Louise are Lead Pastors at Home Church. They have 5 children, Olivia, Max, Zak, Jackson & Will.
