What's in My Control? Staying Focused on Opportunities
Focusing on What You Can Control Today
There is no shortage of distractions in our world. Today, the number one way many of us get off track isn’t social media, entertainment, or busyness—it’s discouragement. Specifically, discouragement over circumstances or obstacles we cannot control.
Too often, we spend large portions of our time either in fear or frozen in a cycle of inaction due to the odds of failure. We have ideas, aspirations, and goals we’d like to achieve, yet we talk ourselves out of starting. We cite market conditions, tough competition, or the inability to see how a small start could lead to something bigger. Even when we do see a path forward, we fear the effort required to get there. Worse yet, we hesitate because we don’t want to risk our ego or reputation if things don’t work out.
Now that we’ve covered why we don’t start—let’s discuss why we should!
As Christians, we must learn to trust the outcomes to God and focus on the responsibilities that are ours. We are not held accountable for what others do or think, but we are stewards of our most limited resource: time. We must take stock of how we are called to use the gifts we have freely received.
I run a mortgage company—not the easiest industry to lead in right now. As a team, we meet weekly to focus on what is in our control and how we can take action to increase our influence in a positive way for customers and partners. It’s a powerful reminder that progress comes from focusing on what can be done, not worrying about what cannot.
Let’s take a look at a biblical example of this mindset in action.
Daniel’s Challenges and Perspective
Taken into Babylonian Captivity (Daniel 1)
Daniel was taken from his home as a young man and forced into the service of a foreign king.
He couldn’t change his captivity, but he chose to remain faithful by refusing to eat the king’s food, negotiating a compromise that honored his faith.
Key lesson: He controlled his personal integrity and faith, not his circumstances.
Interpreting the King’s Dream (Daniel 2)
King Nebuchadnezzar ordered all wise men to be executed if they couldn’t interpret his dream.
Instead of panicking, Daniel prayed, sought wisdom, and took action, asking the king for time and trusting God for revelation.
Key lesson: He couldn’t control the king’s decree, but he could trust God and use his wisdom.
Thrown into the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6)
When a law was passed forbidding prayer to anyone but the king, Daniel continued his routine of praying to God, knowing the consequences.
He didn’t try to fight the law politically—he simply remained faithful and trusted God.
Key lesson: He controlled his obedience and faith, not the government’s decisions.
Applying Daniel’s Example Today
Let’s take inventory of how we can follow Daniel’s example. If you catch yourself making excuses for inaction, ask yourself: what can you do today to take a step forward? If you fear failure due to larger circumstances, redefine success. Success is not about achieving a perfect outcome—it’s about making progress with what’s in your control, today.
Stay faithful, take action, and trust God with the results!
-Mark
