Control is a topic that affects every aspect of our lives. As believers, we must recognize that ultimate control belongs to God. He is sovereign over all things, and His plans always prevail. While we often desire to control our circumstances, the Bible reminds us to trust in God’s perfect will and wisdom.
Throughout Scripture, we see examples of individuals who struggled with control. Some tried to take matters into their own hands and faced consequences, while others surrendered to God’s authority and found peace. The stories of Abraham, Moses, and Joseph show how trusting in God’s control leads to blessings and fulfillment.
God’s authority extends over all creation, and nothing happens outside of His will. Even when life feels uncertain, we can rest in the truth that He is in control. Trusting in Him does not mean life will be easy, but it assures us that everything works together for good according to His purpose.
Below are Bible verses. These passages teach us about God’s authority, self-control, and surrendering to His divine plan. By studying them, we can grow in faith and learn to rely on God’s guidance in every area of our lives.
Preachers Quotes
“You may not always understand why God allows certain things to happen, but you can be sure that God is not making any mistakes.” – Charles Stanley
“God is in control, and therefore in everything I can give thanks—not because of the situation but because of the One who directs and rules over it.” – Kay Arthur
“Trying to control the future is like trying to control the wind. Instead, trust the One who holds the future in His hands.” – Max Lucado
“Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.” – Alexander MacLaren
“The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become—because He made us.” – C.S. Lewis
“Worry is wasting today’s time, cluttering up tomorrow’s opportunities with yesterday’s troubles.” – Corrie ten Boom
“Self-control is not control by oneself through one’s own willpower but rather control of oneself through the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Jerry Bridges
You might also be interested in: Bible verses about Growing Up
Bible Verses on Control
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in God’s Sovereign Control
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear, God is in Control
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Romans 8:28 – God Works All Things for Good
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Worry, Pray
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
2 Timothy 1:7 – God Gives Power, Not Fear
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Matthew 6:33-34 – Seek First God’s Kingdom
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:33-34
1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble Yourself and Cast Your Cares
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:6-7
Galatians 5:22-23 – Self-Control is a Fruit of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
James 1:19-20 – Control Your Anger
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19-20
Psalm 37:7 – Wait Patiently for the Lord
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” – Psalm 37:7
Proverbs 16:9 – God Directs Our Steps
“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – There is a Time for Everything
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Colossians 3:2 – Set Your Mind on Things Above
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:2
2 Corinthians 10:5 – Take Every Thought Captive
“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5
Matthew 11:28-30 – Jesus Offers Rest
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Psalm 46:10 – Be Still and Know That God is in Control
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10
Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s Plans Are for Good
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Proverbs 19:21 – God’s Purpose Prevails
“There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” – Proverbs 19:21
Romans 12:2 – Be Transformed by Renewing Your Mind
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2
Psalm 115:3 – God Does Whatever He Pleases
“But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.” – Psalm 115:3
John 16:33 – Jesus Has Overcome the World
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Psalm 103:19 – God’s Throne Rules Over All
“The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.” – Psalm 103:19
Matthew 19:26 – With God, All Things Are Possible
“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” – Matthew 19:26
Job 42:2 – God’s Purposes Cannot Be Thwarted
“I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” – Job 42:2
Isaiah 55:8-9 – God’s Ways Are Higher
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9
Psalm 34:8 – Trust and Taste That the Lord is Good
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” – Psalm 34:8
Hebrews 12:11 – Discipline Yields the Fruit of Righteousness
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11
James 4:7 – Submit to God and Resist the Devil
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Matthew 10:29-31 – God Watches Over You
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from Your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:29-31
1 Corinthians 10:13 – God Provides a Way of Escape
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Isaiah 26:3 – Perfect Peace Comes from Trusting God
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” – Isaiah 26:3
Psalm 23:1-3 – The Lord is Our Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:1-3
Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Burdens on the Lord
“Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22
Matthew 6:10 – Pray for God’s Will to Be Done
“Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:10
Psalm 121:7-8 – The Lord Preserves You
“The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.” – Psalm 121:7-8
Luke 12:25-26 – You Cannot Control Everything
“And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?” – Luke 12:25-26
2 Peter 1:5-6 – Self-Control is Part of Christian Growth
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness.” – 2 Peter 1:5-6
Isaiah 40:31 – Strength Comes from Trusting the Lord
“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
John 14:27 – Jesus Gives Peace
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
Psalm 90:12 – Ask God for Wisdom to Number Your Days
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12
If you’re interested, here’s another article on: Bible verses about Hard Work Paying Off
What does the Bible say about Control
The Bible teaches that control is ultimately in God’s hands. He created the world, rules over it, and has authority over all things. Many times, people try to control their own lives, situations, or even others, but the Bible reminds us to trust in God’s plan instead of our own desires.
One of the most famous verses about control is Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” This verse tells us that we should not rely on our own wisdom but instead trust God to lead us in the right direction.
God’s control is perfect, and nothing happens outside His knowledge. In Isaiah 46:9-10, God declares, “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 that are not yet done.” This means God already knows everything that will happen, and His plans cannot be stopped.
Sometimes, people struggle with wanting to control their lives because they fear the unknown. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” This teaches that worrying does not change anything, and we should trust God for our future.
The Bible also speaks about self-control. In Galatians 5:22-23, self-control is listed as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. This means that true self-control comes from the power of God, not just our own efforts. Second Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This verse shows that God helps us to have discipline and make good choices.
Letting go of control does not mean being careless. Instead, it means surrendering to God and trusting that He is working for our good. Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” When we trust God’s control, we find peace and confidence, knowing that His plans are always the best.