The most important button on any electrical device is the “on” switch. Just try operating anything without it. But the control panel is where the action is. Everything from volume to special features is just a tap, click or turn of a knob away.

It’s one thing if we’re talking about my newest device. But in life, the “control panel” can be tricky. Decreasing the noise of worrying about what’s next or trying to process the demands of what is happening now can be an awkward effort for me.

But to be honest, I just want to control one thing. And it’s not an electronic device. I wish there was a button to decrease how many things are out of my control.

I want my days sunny, my loved ones safe, happy and healthy, and a good amount of goodwill in the world.

Technology would always cooperate. Friendships would deepen and injustices would fade. Clearly, I’m the happiest when things are within my control. But amazingly, I have the most joy when I know God is in control.

It’s taken me years to know the difference. And yet, sometimes I struggle with His Sovereignty. My humanity feeds off the temporary bliss happiness brings. From the first moment a day goes my way to the last scene of one of my favorite TV shows, happiness abounds.

But joy is not just situational; it’s spiritual. As much as I would love for my wish list to dictate each day, my wisdom would always fall short.

Hence, joy moves me from designing a picture perfect life to delighting in God’s perfections.

“Lord , you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” (Isaiah 25:1 NIV)

Are you waiting for a situation’s outcome? I am. Whether we’ve given God the specifics or not, He knows. Whether we acknowledge His reign over it or not, He does.

And yet, in His perfect faithfulness, He invites us to bring our imperfect desires to Him — limited perspective and all. (see 1 Peter 5:6 and 7) Only God knows all the people, places and things required for His good and perfect will to fully form. But seeking Him can position us to see the wonder of what He planned long ago.

Through faith in Christ’s redemption, I am forgiven of my sins and free to live in the certainty of His power and love. Such faith led the Apostle Paul to say this about Christ: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:29-31 ESV). I believe Paul was showing us the way to master life’s control panel.

It’s why the Holy Spirit gives us self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) It mutes my sin nature. It’s the “off switch” for my struggles with the Sovereignty of God. Then I can yield to His divine wisdom — even if it rains.

There is peace as I trust God’s timing. I can rest in His promises and live in the light of His truth. I may not control what causes a situation or what someone else says or does, but I can control my response to it.

Instead of giving in to impulses or fears fed by my limited perspective, I’m liberated by a different point of view. All the control I will ever need is just enough to know God is in control.

I'm sharing more "Joy to the Soul" on the Empowered Women Faith Club's blog this month! I'd love for you to join me there for "Nothing But Blue Skies." Read more here.