Control only works temporarily

Trying to control everything gives temporary behavior modification, but never lasting peaceful results.

“Control never leads us to a permanent place of peace because we can't ultimately make someone else do what their heart's motivation is not.”

Manage what you can

Do everything within your ability to control, then turn the rest over and trust God with the outcome.

“I don't have to like it. I don't have to understand it. I don't have to agree with it. But I cannot control the outcome.”

We crave knowing why

Our brains are wired for the confidence of knowing. We think understanding why prevents future pain.

“Because we think if we know why, then we won't make that mistake again, and we'll prevent other bad things from happening.”

We aren't meant to understand everything

Maybe we aren't supposed to understand every painful thing that happens to us.

Suffering catalyzes growth

Suffering is often the greatest catalyst to maturity, obedience and trusting God more deeply.

“Suffering is often the greatest catalyst to growth and helping us become more obedient to the Lord and helping us trust Him more.”

Don't bypass the pain

Give yourself grace and recognize suffering as preparation, but never ignore the real hardship and heartbreak.

“Never do the spiritual bypass of not acknowledging the hardship and heartbreak of what was real about the suffering too.”

God's motivation is different

God isn't selfish. He's gracious, good and kind, with a plan pointed toward good even when it doesn't feel good now.

Bring disappointment to God

Ask God to help you grow from unanswered prayers and see purpose in the pain.

Pain wasn't pointless

Lysa's unwanted divorce was excruciatingly painful, but it pointed her to an eventual purpose that's deeply fulfilling now.

“I'm so grateful that the pain was not pointless and that God really does not waste the hurts that we walk through.”

Ask one simple question

Is there anything that could be done today that I have not done? If yes, do it. Then let the big problem go.

Control creates chaos

We think control leads to peace, but it only leads to eventual chaos. Stop solving tomorrow's problems today.

“We think that we control to get to peace, but our control only leads to eventual chaos.”

Accept what you can't change

The pathway to peace is accepting reality, doing what you can, and recognizing what's beyond your ability.

Stay connected to peace

Jesus said we'll have trouble in this world, but He's overcome it. Stay connected to the Prince of Peace.

“In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world.”