There are times in our lives when we are confronted with the reality that we are not in control of the world around us.
As hard as we try, and as much as we’d like to think we’re in control, the reality is, we are not. And there are seasons and circumstances that remind us of that fact.
A natural disaster, a terminal diagnosis, a wayward son, an unexpected layoff… each of those come to mind as examples.
At this current moment in time, almost everyone in the world, simultaneously, is being confronted with the reality of lost control through the spread of a virus. A tiny virus, invisible to the naked eye, has brought the world to a screeching halt, disrupting everything in its path—even life as normal.
Our control has been upended. No doubt about it.
We, of course, never had as much control over our lives and the world as we thought we did, but still, it is hard to lose the little that we had. The world, it feels, has spun into chaos.
So how do we respond when the world is in chaos? How do we begin to move forward?
For one, we take back control of what we can control—even in the smallest of ways.
We’ve all been reminded that we are not in ultimate control of the universe. But that doesn’t mean we’ve lost all ability to maintain control over our lives. Even if our usual day-to-day opportunities have been taken from us by another, there is still much we can control.
For example:
We can still control what time we wake up in the morning.
We can still choose to get ready in the morning for the day ahead.
We can eat healthy. We can remain physically active.
We can make our bed in the morning, we can choose to reset our home in the evening.
We can choose what we watch and listen to, and we can control what time we turn off the television at night.
We can always control our attitude and our response to the people and events around us.
We can love our family.
We can choose kind words in conversations.
If you are a man or woman of faith, you can choose to rely upon it during this time.
We can still decide to make the most of each day in front of us.
Controlling what you can might not seem like much, but it’s something.
Actually, it’s a lot more than something. It is an essential strategy for each of us going forward.
It is the first step in moving from a reactive life to a proactive one. And it is the first step in making the most of our current circumstances.
So, focus your energy there, even if it seems like very little. When the world is in chaos, control what you can.
Stay healthy, stay well, and stay focused. We’ll get through this together.
C Phoenix says
Thanks for a thoughtful article.
One small point; why not just say ‘a *person of faith’? ‘Man or woman’ excludes (unintentionally, I’m sure) people who are non-binary. Thanks for considering this. :)
Peggy Behnke says
off subject
Karen says
Thank you, Josh. As people of faith, we have been relying on that faith more every day. This was an encouragement and a lovely reminder that we can control our attitudes and behavior.
INDRA DOOKHOO says
Thank you Joshua?
Débora says
Thank you. It’s amazing what you wrote!
Jessica says
Thank you Joshua, I normally WFH quite a few days a week and enjoy the peace and quiet. This is the 3rd week I have been working from home with everyone else in the family. I felt a bit down this morning. I am so glad I opened your email after getting the urgent work done. As a control and clean freak, I felt so much better now after reading your mail.
I really enjoy all your mails, YouTube videos and TED talk, really appreciate your great work. Best wishes to you and your family.
The Joyful Quilter says
What a wonderful set of reminders, Joshua! Thank you.
Camilla says
I completely agree with your thoughts!
It feels like 2020 has just been cancelled all of a sudden.. I’m trying to stay positive and spend this time reprioritising and reflecting on my life and my dreams, do the things I’ve been putting off while I was busy, and live in the present moment.
Bev Jenklns says
Thanks Joshua, Good words to ground ourselves by!
I live in Durban, South Africa. I have a small business that is closed. Just come to the realization this morning that our lives will never be the same again and it may be totally unnecessary.