88

Keep me from sinning.
Do not let anyone gain control over me.
Then I will be blameless,
and I will be free from any great offense.
May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my heart
be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my defender.

Psalm 19:13–14

The God Girl doesn’t give control of her life over to anyone but God. And that means she only lets those who are assigned authority by God have authority over her. Certain authorities here on earth, set up by God, will control your life in certain seasons, like your parents, teachers, the police, or judges. But giving control to anyone who God has not given control to is idolatry.

When you’re young it can be easy to look for people to tell you what to do. You don’t have the answers and you want help. You want to know how to dress and how to act. You want help, but help and advice can become control, and just as quickly your life can become less about pleasing God and more about pleasing people. When you make decisions and run your life based on what someone else wants you to do, you walk away from the will of God and into the will of his creation. No friend, no boyfriend, and no enemy should have control over your life. And when you do the things you do out of a fear of rejection or manipulation, you don’t just make a mistake; you commit a sin.

Make it your prayer that no one should gain control over you but that you can learn to love others God’s way. Work on humility instead of pride. Don’t worry about what others might do or say; just always choose God’s way and trust that he will truly work everything out for the good of those who love him.