Sermon Series Blog: GET OVER IT!
The Illusion of Control: Why You’re Not the Author of Your Life
We live in a world obsessed with control. Vision boards, five-year plans, “boss moves,” and side hustles dominate our conversations. But what if the control we think we have is an illusion? James 4:13-17 delivers a sobering reminder: we’re not in charge, and that’s a good thing.
The Illusions We Believe
Have you ever been to an illusion museum? It’s full of mind tricks that make you question what’s real. In many ways, life works the same. We believe the illusion that we’re in control — that if we hustle hard enough, plan well enough, and network strategically, everything will unfold perfectly.
But the Bible snaps us back to reality. James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
In other words: your life is fragile, unpredictable, and fleeting.
The Danger of Arrogant Ambition
It’s not wrong to be ambitious. The problem is when our ambition becomes arrogant. When we start making plans without asking God, or chasing success at the cost of our spiritual health, we fall into dangerous territory.
James 4:16 warns, “As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.”
The truth is — we often want God to bless our plans without ever asking what His plan is. We pray for open doors, but only if they lead to the places we already wanted to go.
Good Intentions Aren’t Enough
Perhaps the most confronting part of this passage comes in James 4:17: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
It’s not just about avoiding bad choices. It’s about following through on the good we know we’re called to do. How often do we put off a conversation, delay forgiving someone, or ignore God’s prompting because it’s inconvenient?
Delayed obedience is still disobedience.
It’s time to stop being “good intention” people and start becoming “faith in action” people.
Your Story Isn’t About You
The hard truth is this: we aren’t the main character of our own story — God is. He’s the Author. He holds the pen.
Our job isn’t to write the script; it’s to follow the One who already knows how the story ends.
So today, let’s surrender the illusion of control. Let’s stop playing God with our plans and ambitions. Instead, ask daily: “Lord, what do You want from my life? If it’s Your will, lead me there.”
That kind of faith changes everything.
Final Thought
Your life is a mist — but what God does through you can echo for eternity.
Trust Him with the pen.
