Why Trying to Control Everything Will Wear You Out | Ecclesiastes 9:1-3

Today's shout-out goes to Nathan & Christine Beck, who hosted us at their home last week. Thanks for your friendship. It has been fun getting to know you.

Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 9:1-3:

But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. — Ecclesiastes 9:1-3

Life doesn’t play favorites. The righteous and the wicked, the faithful and the rebellious—we all face the same struggles, the same joys, and ultimately, the same end. Death is the great equalizer. That’s a hard pill to swallow, isn’t it? We’d like to believe that if we do what’s right, we’ll get a better outcome, but this text reminds us that life under the horizontal plane doesn’t work that way.

Solomon wrestles with this truth: no matter who we are, we don’t control our fate. Our lives are in God’s hands. We may try to measure our circumstances as proof of His favor or judgment, but human perception is limited. We don’t always know whether what we face is love or hate, blessing or trial.

So what do we do with this? Do we despair? No—this truth is meant to drive us toward faith, not toward fatalism. If we can’t control life’s outcomes, then the best thing we can do is trust the One who does. The madness of man is chasing certainty in an uncertain world. But wisdom is found in surrender—acknowledging that God alone is sovereign and walking in obedience no matter what comes.

If you are trying to control your outcomes instead of trusting God's plan, pray this prayer with me today:

Father, help me trust You when life doesn’t make sense. When I can’t see what You’re doing, remind me that my life is in Your hands. Give me faith to walk in obedience, knowing that You are good and Your plans are perfect. Amen.

#FaithOverFear, #TrustGod, #Ecclesiastes9

ASK THIS:
How does knowing that life is in God’s hands change your perspective on daily struggles?
What are some areas where you’re trying to control the outcome instead of trusting God?
How do you react when life feels unfair or uncertain?
What does true surrender to God’s sovereignty look like in your life?
DO THIS:
Surrender your need for control today by praying and acknowledging that your life is in God's hands.

PRAY THIS:
Father, when I feel the need to control everything, remind me that my life is safely in Your hands. Help me trust Your plans even when I don’t understand them. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
Control.