Is God Really in Control?

The Bible tells us that God is in control and has a plan for our lives, but how can we be sure? Is God really in control? Learn what the Bible says about God's control and sovereignty today.

As Christians, we know that the Bible is supposed to be our authority. We often tell people that they should trust what the Bible says. We suggest comforting Bible verses to help our friends when they are going through a tough situation, and we offer to pray for them. We champion the idea of God being in control and we offer counsel on how to do that. Those are good things to do -- in fact, we should do that -- but I think what happens sometimes is that we are happy to give prayer and scripture to others during their trials, but then when we are faced with difficult things ourselves, we start to wonder why God would allow us to suffer.

It is in times of suffering when we are tempted to ask the question "is God really in control?' It is when we are hurt, afraid, or confused that we find ourselves questioning God's sovereignty.

The sovereignty of God means that God is in control, has a plan, and is governing the world with perfect justice, grace, love, and righteousness. It means that whatever comes to pass has a purpose. And while it can be a challenge to believe that God is in control in circumstances beyond our control, the Bible is clear that God is good, sovereign, and in control.

Believing in God's sovereignty and control requires trust on our part. But if we know Jesus then we know He is trustworthy. We know that if He was willing to give His life for us, then we can trust Him with anything else that comes our way too. This is excellent news for believers! Praise God!

So despite all the suffering we see in our world -- the broken homes, the illnesses, the deaths, the layoffs, and so many other injustices and hurting people -- the Bible says that He is sovereign over everything and He will take what is broken and tattered and use it for His glory and the good of His people. Is God really in control? Yes! And if you need to see it for yourself, here are 20 Bible verses that show God's control and sovereignty in our lives.

20 Bible Verses About God's Sovereignty and Control

1. "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." -Proverbs 16:33
   
   
2. "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” -Job 42:2
   
   
3. "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’" -Isaiah 46:9-10
   
   
4. " The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all." -Psalm 103:19
   
   
5. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28
   
   
6. "Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps." -Psalm 135:6
   
   
7. "Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?" -Lamentations 3:37
   
   
8. "Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?" -Romans 9:21
   
   
9. "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory." -Ephesians 1:11-12
   
   
10. "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?" -Jeremiah 32:27
    
    
11. "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." -Genesis 50:20
    
    
12. "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;" -Daniel 2:21
    
    
13. "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." -Philippians 2:13
    
    
14. "But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” -Matthew 19:26
    
    
15. "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." -Colossians 1:16
    
    
16. "You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day." -Deuteronomy 8:18
    
    
17. "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." -1 Chronicles 29:11
    
    
18. "And said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you." -2 Chronicles 20:6
    
    
19. "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." -Psalm 139:16
    
    
20. "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." -Philippians 1:6

Trust in the Lord

We can trust God. The Bible is full of proof that not only is He in control, but also that He is good (Exodus 34:6, 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 145:9, Matthew 7:11) and that we can trust Him (Psalm 33:4, Psalm 111:7, 2 Timothy 2:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:24). Spend some time thanking Him for that fact today, and ask for God's help and be determined to believe what His word says: That He is sovereign, that He is good, and that He is trustworthy. Praise be to God!