Biblical Answer

A. Understanding the Illusion of Control

When facing a crisis, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and seek control over the situation. However, the Bible teaches us that true control lies not in our ability to manipulate circumstances, but in our willingness to surrender to God's sovereignty. The passage mentions that crises can be engineered by God to teach us valuable lessons, and that we often struggle with spiritual self-control when faced with unexpected challenges. This illusion of control can lead us to focus on the external circumstances rather than our spiritual response to them.

B. The Importance of Spiritual Formation

The passage emphasizes that we are not in control of our spiritual formation. This can be a difficult truth to accept, especially when we feel like we're struggling to find peace or sense of direction in our lives. However, it's in these moments of uncertainty that we can choose to engage in the struggle and seek God's guidance. The passage suggests that we should look back to our experiences and reflect on how God has worked in our lives, and that we can offer wise counsel to others who may be facing similar challenges. By doing so, we can learn to trust in God's sovereignty and find peace in the midst of chaos.

C. Practicing Spiritual Self-Control

In the face of a crisis, it's easy to get caught up in feelings of guilt, shame, or anxiety. However, the passage encourages us to focus on our spiritual response to the situation rather than the external circumstances. By doing so, we can choose to engage in the struggle and seek God's guidance. This might involve taking small steps to practice spiritual self-control, such as reading scripture or seeking guidance from a trusted friend or mentor. By prioritizing our spiritual formation and seeking God's guidance, we can learn to trust in His sovereignty and find peace in the midst of chaos. Ultimately, this is not about trying to control the situation, but about learning to trust in God's goodness and faithfulness, even when we don't understand what's happening. As the passage suggests, we can't control the things that happen to us, but we can control the things that happen in us. By choosing to trust in God and seek His guidance, we can find peace and sense of direction in the midst of chaos.