Psalm 51:10-12 – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (NIV)

Recently, I felt like I had totally and completely lost control over every aspect of my life. Even though I didn't really realize what was happening, I had become angry at everything and everyone (including myself), and to be honest, with God as well. It seemed that everything I did and said was wrong and misinterpreted. I felt wounded and hurt.

Unfortunately and regrettably, I turned into a "wounder" myself and lashed out at others who did not deserve it.

I am not trying to make excuses for my own behaviour; I messed up badly. However, God continues to teach us, if we let Him. In no uncertain terms, He let me know that I was wrong in the way that I had (over) reacted, and that I had sinned (once again). I prayerfully asked Him to forgive me, and I know that He has. I pray that the others whom I have hurt will also forgive me.

All this is leading me to some thoughts that I want to pass on. I said that I felt out of control, but after thinking about it, are we ever really in control?

• We cannot control other people, how they see things, how they interpret things, how they feel about things, or where they are coming from.
• We may not understand their situations, or why they react the way they do.
• What is important to us may not be what is important to someone else.

We just can't know or truly understand. But God knows — God understands.

People are people, and all are fallible. We can't see the whole picture — only God can, and only God is truly in control. We need to turn to Him at all times and in all circumstances. He is our only hope.

We are wonderfully made by God, and we are all uniquely different. Right now, we are all sinners, but nonetheless, we are also one family in Christ. We may not agree with what others are doing or saying, and they may not agree with what we are doing or saying, and often, whether we mean to or not, we end up hurting each other. However, that doesn't mean that we stop loving or caring for one another. We usually can't fix people and their situations — but we can be there. Sometimes, all we can do is listen and prayerfully lift each other up to the Lord.

Matthew 22:37-39 – Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'" (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, we thank You for Your grace and mercy, for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ, for all the things You do, and for the people whom You have placed in our lives. Above all, we thank You for the love that You show us every day. Help us to accept Your gifts of love, grace, and faith, and help us to share them with all those around us. We ask that You may grant us the compassion, acceptance, and love to reach out to one another with a listening ear, an open mind, and a loving heart. For Jesus' sake, we pray. Amen.

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