In our lifetimes, we are given countless chances and opportunities. That doesn’t mean we always notice them. Or take them. Sometimes we see a chance—we even want it badly—but let it pass by. While others take charge of their lives and seize opportunities, our feet are stuck in mud. Or we’re caught in a strong current and can’t break free.

Let’s use a river metaphor. A man wants in, but is waiting for someone to set him safely on a raft in the center of the river. In another case, a woman is in the water and wants out—her river is cold and ruthless—but she stays there, captive to the current. Both the man and woman think the power to change their circumstances is in someone else’s hands.

Do people see themselves as having a victim mentality? Most don’t. They have views such as “accept the bad with the good”, “it’s karma”, or “it’s fate.” With a sigh of resignation, many Christians say, “God’s in charge”.

But if we asked God instead of presuming his thoughts, what would he say about fate, chances and opportunities? How much of our lives does he view as ours to control? How many opportunities do we miss and fail to take, that God may have set up for us?

Our paradigm of life determines how we address this issue. If our philosophy is that karma, God, or some immovable force controls our lives, we are likely to put up no resistance when things go badly. We train ourselves to accept that “shit happens”, as the saying goes. On the other hand, if our philosophy is that we exclusively control our life and there is no God, we are likely to exert much resistance when the current of life pulls us in undesired directions.

Those two philosophies are quite polar. Most people’s paradigms are somewhere in the middle. And almost all people have those views without being cognizant of them — they lay somewhere deep in the subconscious, having been covertly adopted in the midst of events that occurred from birth forward.

How much damage do we do to ourselves unknowingly, due to our subconscious philosophies? How many currents of life have swept us into directions we never belonged, because we didn’t put up resistance? We may have believed it was God’s doing, when it might not have been. It may even have been Satan’s doing. How do we know? How do we manage life without knowing?

I think we get tossed, pulled, tugged, and overtaken by evil on a regular basis. And I think we develop philosophies about those currents in order to console ourselves.

How can we know what to accept and what to resist? Is it possible to discern? Doesn’t it seem overwhelming, even hopeless? Who are we to out-whit powerful, wanton forces?

There is a way to avert being a victim of harmful circumstances. With God, it’s possible to take charge of your life. All the enemy powers of the world united, can’t destroy God. Your team may include only you and God, but focus on who your teammate is!

Romans 8:31 – What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

God will show you how to overcome what is not from him. You can beat illusive and powerful strongholds that have controlled your life and mind. You don’t have to know the outcome of each conflict in advance, or what skirmishes might be ahead, just face each day with God as your ally.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Seek His thoughts and plans for you. Wait. Listen. Understand. Then agree with Him and make decisions accordingly.