What To Do When Life Seems Out of Control

Although the current social distancing recommendations are meant to keep us physically apart, you and I have more things in common than is evident on the surface during our collective separation.

Over the course of the past month, the world in which we live has been turned on its head. 

Stay at home directives are in place in many states and locales, with the ability to shop for essentials such as food and medicine the only thing permitted while doing so with much caution.

Others are now under full blown quarantine mandates and their lives have been knocked off its moorings as the effects of Covid 19 have impacted the lives and health of many. Many have unfortunately succumbed to the disease.

We are all dealing with the realities of a new way of approaching day-to-day life.  It is awkward and at times frustrating. 

Although we may approach how we individually cope with the new normal, our shared experience is centered on the fact that we are learning to adjust to new demands which have been placed upon us.

In many respects, life seems out of our control. Do you agree?  

You and I want to be in control. Often I might add.

We have schedules, calendar reminders, and to do lists constantly shouting at us or prompting us to do one thing or another at predetermined times. 

When we miss these moments our sense of equilibrium gets thrown off balance. We are in many ways like a cyclist hitting an object on the road and getting tossed off the bike and onto the pavement.

In some cases the result might be a minor abrasion. In other cases the result might be a broken bone.

We want our lives to be predictable.  We make many attempts to leave nothing to chance. In short, we want to know and experience life within a fixed set of rules and we want to be able to live within the boundaries of our comfort zones.  

I can safely say we are way out of our comfort zones at this stage of the game. None of could have come close to predicting what we all are currently experiencing with the introduction and the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.   

The circumstances we collectively are experiencing have thrown us a proverbial curve ball and unless we adjust to the pitch, we will whiff at it every time as we swing the bat.

I am reminded once again of an experience which taught me a valuable lesson on what to do when my life is or seems out of control. 

If you care to read an old post with many of the details you can find it here.

However, I will shorten the tale and summarize it below.

Our family was part of a larger team on a short term mission trip to an Oglala Sioux Reservation in South Dakota in the summer of 1997.  Mechanical issues with the fuel supply of the van I was driving occurred multiple times en route to our destination.

After arriving at the complex where we were to stay, our group was scheduled for an orientation meeting at a local church on the first night to learn of the do’s and don’ts when we interacted with the native peoples. 

After the orientation session was over, we departed the church to travel back to the Christian school which became our home away from home. The school was approximately seven miles away from the church.

With nighttime temperatures still in the mid 90’s, the humidity wrapped itself around us like a wet blanket.

Immediately after leaving the church, the van I was driving simply stopped.  All of the team members in my van were parsed to other vehicles and I alone was left as the one behind the wheel, or so I thought.

The resident handyman at the school, whom we met earlier in the day, was in the area after our meeting concluded and as far as I was concerned he was in the right place at the right time. 

He offered to tow me back to the school.  My first thought, an answered prayer.

Upon securing an 8 to 10 foot tow chain to the van I drove he started toward the school on a dark, two lane road. In short order, his van accelerated to speeds approximating 60 mph. 

With sweat pouring down my face and loudly crying out to God, I did not know what to do except to keep my eyes on his brake lights and react if he unexpectedly hit the brakes.  I do remember praying The Lord’s Prayer

Many thoughts raced through my mind and I literally thought I was going to die in an accident as this was highly probable given the situation.

I thought of my wife and children watching the high speed drama unfold in the van in back of my vehicle. Surely, they were not in a good spot about what was occurring.

My only form of communication with the driver of the van in back of me with my former passengers was a pre-cell phone era, CB radio.  I demanded the driver to pass me in an attempt to get in front of the vehicle towing me in an effort to bring it to a stop. 

After several minutes this occurred.  The saga was over or so I thought.

We turned off the main road onto a dirt access road as we made our way to the school.  Again, my tow escort service was hitting speeds close to 40 mph as I felt I was on a raging bull at some rodeo, bucking up and down.   

I decided to apply and not release the brakes as he dragged me down the road to an eventual stop near the entrance of the school approximately a half mile away.  

It was an unnerving experience, one in which I felt utterly out of control and where life as I knew it at the time could have come to a tragic end. 

Thankfully, it did not.

In looking back at my former post on this experience the words I wrote are worth repeating here.

Although I felt totally out of control, I sensed God’s presence and His protection.  I have since recalled this adventure many times. It took an experience like this to teach me how to let go of the wheel and to absolutely trust Him with the circumstances of my life.  The lessons learned have served me well since that time.  They have made uncertainty somewhat more palatable and easier to digest.

I have come away with the distinct impression that my unexpected thrill ride was a really a gift from Him. 

As life’s uncertainties have positioned themselves in my life one thought has been prevalent.

When reminded to let go of the wheel I’ve had a deep sense that I am being steered to safety, despite any uncertainties I might have swirling around in my mind.  Personally, I need this reminder frequently.  I need it now.

When dining at the table of uncertainty, doubt, fear, and what will tomorrow bring seem to be the menu items being served.

Why not pass up the main course and opt for dessert, giving yourself another choice?

I would encourage you to choose the following – Let go of the wheel.  You will be surprised where your car comes to park!”

The personal and societal effects of the coronavirus pandemic are far reaching.  We have fears which are clothed in uncertainty.  If you feel out of sorts, it’s OK.  I understand.

I offer you an anecdote on what to do when life seems out of control.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus…Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4: 6-9 New Living Translation)

There is a safety net when life seems out of control. His name is Jesus and He is inviting us to yield to Him. There is nothing about the current set of events in which we are immersed that are a surprise to Him. He is fully capable of bringing your car to rest safely despite the real and present uncertainties which exist.  

You and I can implicitly trust Him when life seems out of control.

I am including a video of a new song by Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, and Elevation Worship called The Blessing, to give you something in which to alter your focus. It is well worth taking the time to listen and absorb.

Until next time, may His peace rest on you.