When Things Are Out of My Control

Standing at the ticket counter, I watched passenger after passenger board the plane. A sinking feeling of dread was washing over me. I was waiting anxiously for the attendant to grant me a seat on the flight that would eventually land me in Mexico City.

It was spring break. My reservation had been made nine months earlier by the coordinator of our trip to Mexico. And yet, I had no seat—one I desperately needed—

because there were four high school students on the flight, and I was their chaperone.

We were headed to the mountains of Mexico to do service work. I’m part of a service club, and this is an annual trip for youth, college students, and adults. I was one of the leaders on the trip—the one in charge of wrangling the youth.

Imagine my surprise when I realized I had not been assigned a seat. Apparently, something had gone wrong with my reservation. I should’ve suspected that when I couldn’t check in 24 hours before the flight—or even 12 hours ahead.

Yet there I stood, at the mercy of the gate attendant who claimed my check-in time was later than many other passengers. And that’s the policy: to seat me only if there was space. But the real issue was that the airline had oversold the flight, and my seat was no longer secure.

Eventually, I was granted a seat—the last one on the plane. And as I sat there, aggravated and exhausted from the early wake-up, I reflected on the past few hours.

I pondered how life is a series of events that are out of my control. For me, that is very unsettling. Yet as a person of faith, I’m able to find peace, even amid chaos. This peace comes from my ability to center my mind and heart on the Creator.

In an effort to not lose my right to fly because of my aggravation, I began silently praying that God would help me handle this hardship—would calm my demeanor as I watched unclaimed seats being assigned.

Prayer is a powerful connection to God that allows peace to descend into even the most hectic of moments. In those moments at the airport, I spoke to myself the scripture that always grounds me:

“I can endure all these things through the power of the One who gives me strength"(Philippians 4:13, CEB).

So much of life is out of my control, such that I utter this verse to myself often. Challenges at work, family concerns, and the political climate unhinge me at every turn. Dealing with it on my own is tough. Speaking that verse connects me to God.

When things are out of my control—as it seems they so often are—it’s easy to lose hope. Yet because of my relationship with the Creator, I remain hopeful. Hopeful that the things out of my control will not crush me.

It starts with trusting that God is my protector. My shield. The One who guards my heart and mind. Another verse reminds me of this:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t rely solely on your own intelligence" (Proverbs 3:5).

Now, on this side of the trip—safely back at home—I realized that even if I hadn’t gotten that seat, I would’ve eventually made my way to the mountain region in Mexico.

I felt God’s assurance that the other adults on the trip could’ve looked after the youth in my absence. They would’ve given me the information to bus my way to our host city from the airport.

Ultimately, God would’ve taken care of it through the amazing people in my life—those who had my back.

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT

As I reflect on my life, most things that once felt urgent and traumatic in the moment ended up being manageable in the end. All because I’ve fostered a relationship with the Lord through daily quiet time—and by lifting up simple prayers for guidance and hope.

What are you doing to help navigate the things that are out of your control? Are there scriptures that bring peace to your soul? Is there a simple prayer you can have at the ready?

Next time you feel bombarded from the outside, I invite you to turn inside. Turn to your heart, for it is where the Creator dwells. Pull out the verses and prayers that center you.

Anchor your mind on the power God has to surround you with peace. Let hope seep in and transform a hard situation into a more manageable one.

That’s what God has done in my life. And that is what God longs to do in yours.

PRAYER

Loving Lord, thank You for always having my back. For showing up when I am experiencing hard things. For surrounding me in your peace when things are spinning out of control. Your hope sustains me like nothing else can. Please stay near in all things! Amen. 

ABOUT JENNY SEYLAR

A mother, daughter, grandmother, friend, and pastor, Jenny Seylar became a widow in September 2017, and though it rocked her world, she chooses not to be defined by it. Despite her husband's unexpected death, she seeks joy in daily life with the support of family and friends. Her three grown children, their partners, and three young granddaughters bring love and engagement to her life. When not serving as a hospital chaplain or writing, she enjoys outdoor activities like walking her dog, biking, kayaking, hiking, and camping. She values creating authentic relationships with people on their faith journeys, finding fulfillment in her roles as a writer and chaplain.

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