Out of Control

The Lord is constantly watching everyone, and he gives strength to those who faithfully obey him. But you have done a foolish thing, and your kingdom will never be at peace again.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (CEV)

Grades, money, sports, friends, parents . . . long is the list of things teens are trying to keep together. Everything going well? Then it’s a good day. Everything not going so well? Then your whole world may feel like it’s in danger of falling apart. It can leave you feeling out of control.

King Asa knew the feeling. When he first inherited the throne as king of Judah, he kept a pretty tight ship. He ensured the people in his kingdom worshipped God. When a massive army threatened to attack Judah, Asa prayed, and God came through in an impossible victory.

But later, when another king invaded Judah, Asa couldn’t sleep. He paced the halls. The solution to the problem alluded him. Maybe God didn’t care anymore. Maybe he was too slow. Asa quit trusting him. He had to grasp control. He needed money—much more money than he had. So, he took what was in God’s temple. Asa handed it over to another ruler to form an alliance, hoping to pressure the invading enemy. It worked. Asa won the battle.

But he lost the war. By relying on his own strategy instead of turning to God, Asa missed using God’s solution. He lost the money, lost his relationship with God, and lost peace—for himself and his kingdom.

What are you trying to control without God? Where have you lost your peace? Today, you can begin to trust God first in your life. Pray to him and ask him to help you do just that.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Are you trying to control any part of your life without God’s help? Prayerfully consider what you are trying to control. As you do, ask God to help you trust him to handle it.

INSPIRATION

“Nothing is a surprise to God; nothing is a setback to his plans; nothing can thwart his purposes; and nothing is beyond his control.”

—Joni Eareckson Tada, American author and artist

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

1 Chronicles 16:11-12

Psalm 118:5

Proverbs 3:5-6

Philippians 4:6

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This devotional was written by Tonia Gutting for the Hero Squad Program of the American Bible Society. Hero Squad provides complimentary faith-based resources to strengthen and encourage Military families through God’s Word. For more information or to enroll your Military family, check out our website.www.myherosquad.org.