09/05/2026
SATURDAY-SUNDAY. DON'T LET CIRCUMSTANCES DICTATE YOUR LIFE
Have you ever faced a situation that sent your mind spiraling into fear, anxiety, and worst-case scenarios? Last month, a simple misplaced glass case became a powerful reminder that circumstances only have as much control over us as we allow them.
One afternoon, as I was loading my bags into the backseat of my car, I heard something fall. I glanced around but didn't see anything on the ground, so I got into my car and left the parking garage.
Later that day, while attending a meeting, I reached into my bag for my glass case and realized it was missing. I searched my bag thoroughly. Then I searched my car. Nothing. I convinced myself that perhaps I had left it at home when I made a quick stop before the meeting.
When I arrived home and still couldn't find it, panic began to set in. This wasn't just a missing glass case. Inside were my driver's license, credit cards, debit card, and cash. As I retraced my steps, I remembered hearing that mysterious thump while loading my car. Suddenly, a troubling thought crossed my mind: What if that was my glass case falling onto the garage floor?
My imagination quickly took over. I began thinking about all the things that could have happened. What if someone found it? What if they kept everything inside? What if I never got it back?
The more I focused on the problem, the more anxious I became.
Isn't that often what happens in life? We start with uncertainty, and before long our minds have created an entire story built on fear.
After searching my car one final time without success, I decided I would get up early the next morning to search my office and check the lost and found. That evening, I found myself overwhelmed with worry. Thoughts about dishonest people and negative stories from the news only fueled my anxiety.
Then something shifted.
I began to pray.
At first, I prayed because I was worried. But the more I prayed, the more my focus moved away from the situation and toward God. A sense of calm began to replace my anxiety.
Instead of rehearsing worst-case scenarios, I started speaking words of faith.
I prayed, "Lord, I know there may be bad people in the world, but please let an honest person find my glass case."
I prayed that simple prayer throughout the evening.
The next morning, I searched my office and checked the lost and found without success. Finally, I made my way to the parking garage and reluctantly asked the security guard if anyone had turned in a lost item.
After asking a few questions, she reached behind the desk and handed me my red glass case.
I couldn't believe it.
A smile immediately spread across my face as I thanked God for answering my prayer.
But as I reflected on the experience, I realized the real victory wasn't finding the glass case.
The real victory was learning not to let my circumstances dictate my perspective.
Seeing that red glass case reminded me of four important lessons.
1. Pray Before You Panic
When unexpected situations arise, our first response should be prayer, not panic.
Scripture reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
If I'm honest, rejoicing was not my first reaction. My initial response was worry.
But prayer changed something within me.
As I prayed, I found myself focusing less on my circumstances and more on God's presence. The more I prayed, the more I surrendered the situation to Him.
Prayer didn't immediately change my circumstancesâit changed me.
2. Speak Faith, Not Fear
I also discovered that my anxiety began to decrease when my words began to change. Instead of continually speaking fear and assuming the worst, I began speaking hope and faith.
Proverbs 18:21 reminds us:
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."
While we may not always have the power to change our circumstances, we do have the power to choose our perspective. Our words influence our thoughts, our attitudes, and our expectations.
The next time you face a challenge, pay attention to what you're saying. Are your words producing fear or faith? Words are seeds. Eventually, they produce a harvest.
3. Expect God's Goodness in Others
This experience also restored my faith in people.
The news often highlights the worst of humanity, making it easy to believe that honesty and kindness are becoming rare. Yet Scripture tells us that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
That truth means there is still goodness, dignity, and compassion present in the world. Someone found my glass case and chose integrity over opportunity. Their simple act of honesty became a reminder that there are far more good people in the world than we are often led to believe.
4. Peace is found in GOD.
One of the greatest lessons I learned from this experience is that peace didn't come when I found the glass case.
Peace came when I surrendered the situation to God.
The next time circumstances tempt you to worry, panic, or assume the worst, remember that your circumstances do not have the final wordâGod does.
Every challenge presents an opportunity to trust Him more deeply, pray more earnestly, and view life through the lens of faith rather than fear. Don't let circumstances dictate your life. Let God direct your perspective.
Take a moment and ask yourself, âWhat circumstance in your life are you allowing to control your thoughts, emotions, or outlookâand what would it look like to surrender it to God today?â
From Karen Y. Jackson. Jesus person. Friend of Community Church.
Kingdom-driven Business Owner-Author-Podcaster-Inspirational Speaker-Senior Advocate - Resident Service Coordinator, St. Mary Development Corporation
