Ibelieve iconIbelieveSep 15, 2026 ~6 min source read

I Can’t Control What They Think, Say, and Do

A devotional reflection on shifting energy from trying to manage others to managing your own responses, rooted in 2 Corinthians 5:20 and practical self-talk rewrites.

I Can’t Control What They Think, Say, and Do - Encouragement for Today - September 15, 2026

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Useful takeaways from this story.

Rewrite reactive self-talk into grounded, realistic statements to protect your emotions and preserve boundaries.

Acting as an ambassador for Christ means responding with peace, not urgency or retaliation, while trusting God with outcomes.

The useful part

What They Think, Say, and Do Lysa TerKeurst Lee en español "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20 a, NIV). I had long ago accepted that I couldn't change this person even though I loved them deeply. I had kept my heart soft toward them while also being firm and standing my ground when I needed to.

How it works

  • Looking at our key verse, how do we handle all of this in a God-honoring way, representing His character at all times as " Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us " (2...
  • You and I can't change how someone else thinks, but we can change how we respond.
  • How does this exercise help bring a little more peace to your heart and mind in a hard relational situation you're facing?
  • I had done all that — not perfectly but consistently enough that I was proud of the progress I had made.
  • I had a newfound emotional stability when interacting with this person, and I really felt like I had surrendered them into God's hands.

What to take from it

Make me a carrier of Your peace in every situation, not because everything is easy but because You are with me in it. Because what if this time we actually can fix this, convince them, redirect the outcome, and prevent what we fear will happen? ENGAGE Find everyday encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.

Example or evidence

  • Jesus, when I feel overwhelmed by what I'm facing with someone I love, quiet my anxious thoughts and remind me that You are the One who carries the weight of outcomes.
  • Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org Originally published Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
  • September 29, 2026 Tuesday, 29 September 2026 More Encouragement for Today Articles Popular Today Top 10 Worship Songs Helping Us Get Through 2026 Who Am I in Christ and.
  • It's so understandable to find yourself in this vulnerable place with a friend, family member, or someone you truly want the best for.

Details worth keeping

I stood in the kitchen with my heart pounding in my chest. They told me about a decision they were making, and I found myself right back in that panic, thinking if I didn't step in and try to convince them to make a different decision, it could be a mistake that would haunt them for years to come. You love them, so of course you want things to be different.

Related coverage

  • Christianity: When overwhelming circumstances leave you feeling abandoned, it's easy to believe God's doing nothing at all.
  • Christianity: Are you a meticulous planner who struggles to surrender your own solutions when praying through life's biggest challenges?
  • Christianity: Are you a meticulous planner who struggles to surrender your own solutions when praying through life's biggest challenges?
  • Ibelieve: When someone is in a grievous situation, it can be challenging to know what to say or do to help them.

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