God Is In Control and You Can Have Peace!

What does God is in control mean?

The Bible says that God is control of all things. That means that every event, person, and thing in the entire universe is overseen by God. The theological term for this is “sovereignty”. When we say that God is sovereign, we mean that not a single thing happens without him allowing it to happen.

This should be a great encouragement to us. Why? Because not only is God sovereign, he is also good. If God was not good, it would be scary to realize that God is in control of everything. But because he is completely good and loving, we can trust him even when things seem to be going bad.

Here are 14 glorious realities about God’s control of all things. I hope they will build your faith and strengthen you.

1. Because God is in control we can trust him in all circumstances

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

God doesn’t promise us that we will never go through hard times. But he promises us that he himself, Lord of the universe will be right there with us to strengthen, keep and protect us.

God’s control of all things ensures that our circumstances will not overwhelm us, no matter how much they feel like they might.

2. Because of God’s control, we can trust Him for our future

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.  Proverbs 19:21

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

God has good plans for us. Plans to bless his children abundantly. And because of His sovereignty, nothing can stop him from fulfilling those plans. So keep praying and asking him to pour out his abundant goodness upon you!

3. We can trust God for our children and grandchildren

The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you. Psalm 102:28

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Psalm 112:1-2

Nothing is more important to parents and grandparents than their children’s and grandchildren’s salvation and well-being. These verses encourage me so much and they continually move me to pray for my descendants.

No matter what our children are going through, remember that God’s got everything in His hand. Keep praying and trusting him for your family and loved ones.

4. We can forgive and love those who sin against us

His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:18-21

Jesus’ commands to love our enemies, bless those who curse us and do good to those who abuse us would be nonsense if he were not in control. No matter what someone does to us, God will use it for our good.

Knowing this, we can forgive those who sin against us. Again, this is not easy to do, and we need to ask Jesus for the grace to obey him, but when we do he will help us.

5. Because God is in control over everything we can pray in faith

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Isaiah 59:1

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:35-37

God’s arm is not to short to save. Nothing is impossible with God. Knowing this, we can keep praying, no matter how impossible the situation seems. No matter how far that loved one seems to be from God, God can save them. No matter how bleak our finances are, God can provide.

So continue to pray to the Lord, who multiplied the loaves and fishes, who opened blind eyes, who put a coin in a fish’s mouth to pay the temple tax.

6. God’s control means we need not fear for our nation

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. Proverbs 21:1

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; Daniel 2:21

For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22:28

I recent years, I don’t know if I have ever seen so many people worked up about our country, our government, our President and our leaders. We need to remember to pray for our leaders as God tells us in his word.

And the main reason we are to pray is so that God will give us peace that the gospel might spread and more people be saved. God is in control of our leaders. He can direct their hearts to do his will, whether they believe in him or not. So keep praying for our leaders.

7. We can trust that He’s working all things for good

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Just as Joseph told his brothers, what they intended for evil, God intended for good. We can’t always see how something hard and painful can work for our good, but God promises he is doing that.

Someday in heaven we will know and then all will make sense. But in the meantime we need to trust that because God is over everything, He will work all we are going through for our good and his glory.

8. The Lord’s control means he’ll give us grace for everything

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

God knows exactly what we need to conform us to Christ. He will not give us one ounce more that we can bear with his help. In Job, Satan had to ask God for permission for every thing he did to Job, and God always placed limits on Satan. “You can do this, but you cannot do that.”

God is in control of all things: Satan, demons, and every human being and every circumstance. And he won’t let a single thing happen to us that he won’t give us grace to handle.

9. We can give thanks for and rejoice in all things

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Giving thanks for all things is an act of faith. When we are going through hard things, we can’t see how God is working them for good. So we must trust his word and promises, and rejoice and give thanks.

We don’t have to give thanks for the evil in the situation, but we can thank God that he is with us, he is protecting and keeping us, and he is using it for our good. At times I have “rejoiced” and given thanks through tears, yet I know God loves me and is in control.

10. If God’s in control we can do all things without grumbling

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:14-15

Again, just as God calls us to rejoice in every situation, because God is in control we can endure this life without complaining or grumbling. We can serve a difficult boss without entering into the grumble mill like everyone else in the lunchroom.

When we live life trusting in God, we shine like beacons in this dark world and unbelievers around us will see there is a living God who has changed us.

11. We can pursue holiness and sanctification

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13

The Christian life isn’t easy. It is a life of following Jesus, and seeking to obey his every command. It is a life of putting sin to death and sowing to the Spirit. It’s work. As one man said, “We work out what God has worked in us.”

But here is why we can do this: because God is at work in us. And he is causing us to work for his glory and pleasure. We don’t do this Christian life in our own strength, but in God’s strength.

12. Because God is King we can trust that God will lead and guide us

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7

These Bible verses encourage me so much. Many, many times, I have not known what God wanted me to do next. I still have many questions about what he wants me to do in the future.

But I know that He is in control. He knows the future. He knows every single thing that I should do, and he desires to guide me even more than I desire his guidance. He has promised to PERSONALLY counsel every one of his children with his eye upon us. What a comfort!

13. God will conform us to the likeness of Christ

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

If it were up to me to make myself like Christ, I would have given up years ago. But God is in control. He has a plan for us, and even our weaknesses and failures can’t stop the One who is in control of all things from fulfilling his plans for our lives.

This doesn’t mean we sit back and do nothing. But we come running to the One who is in control, to the One who is all-powerful, knowing that it is HIS will to make us like Christ. This is so encouraging!

14. We can trust that Jesus will build his church

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

This may seem like a strange point to throw in, but I do so because it is so easy for us to be discouraged about our churches at times. We see our weaknesses, we experience slow growth and sometimes no growth. We see the conflicts of the saints. Churches are messy and we are all in process.

But God is in control and Jesus has promised that he will build his church and nothing can stop him, not even Satan. So no matter what your church is going through, remember that God is sovereign and ask him for grace and help.

18 Bible Verses About God Is In Control

1. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
2. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2
3. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21
4. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
5. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you. Psalm 102:28
6. Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Psalm 112:1-2
7. Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Isaiah 59:1
8. And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:35-37
9. The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. Proverbs 21:1
10. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; Daniel 2:21
11. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22:28
12. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
13. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
14. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
15. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8
16. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7
17. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
18. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6