Biblical Answer

In response to your question, "Can I still have a sense of control over my life?" the answer is a resounding "no." As a Christian, we recognize that our spiritual formation is not in our hands, but rather in the hands of God. This is a difficult lesson to learn, but it is essential for our growth in faith. When we try to control our spiritual lives, we are actually exercising a form of self-dependence, which is not the same as self-control. Self-control is a gift of the Holy Spirit, given through faith in Jesus Christ, and it involves the ability to master our own impulses and emotions, willfulness, tongue, behavior, and moods.

However, this does not mean that we are completely powerless or without agency. Rather, we are called to intentionally design our lives to give Jesus free rein over our formation. This means surrendering our desires and impulses to God, and trusting in His sovereignty over our lives. When we do this, we experience a sense of liberation and joy that we would not have otherwise. As the Bible says, "You can't control the things that happen to you, but you can control the things that happen in you." This means that we can choose to respond to circumstances in a way that honors God, even when we don't feel like it.

In fact, self-control is not about emotional flatness or indifference, but rather about channeling our energies and desires in a way that is pleasing to God. It's about saying "no" to sinful desires and "yes" to God's plans for our lives. This is not a one-time decision, but rather a daily choice that requires practice and discipline. As the Bible says, "Self-control is a skill that develops over time, and it's learned by contemplating a person - in this case, Jesus Christ." So, while we may not have control over our lives in the classical sense, we do have the power to choose how we respond to God's sovereignty, and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.