Our Lives Are Not Always Our Own

The Corovirus pandemic has seen numerous opinions emerge regarding causes and cures and where it all will end. Both individuals and societies worry and concern over the future seems to be sky high. There is a growing sense that our destiny is no longer in our control. The question to ask is whether it ever truly was in our own control?

A Locus of Control

There is a psychological construct (some call it a trait) called “locus of control”. It refers to the degree that someone feels that he/she has control of their lives along a continuum either internally or externally. Internal control is a sense of self-confidence that you can regulate, to considerable degree, what happens to you and can determine your own success in life. External control is the reverse whereby you feel your life is constrained by forces outside your personal control – by others, fate, or luck etc.

An example of people with a strong internal locus of control would be a student who, upon receiving exam results, would praise or blame themselves and their own abilities for their grade. People with a strong external locus of control would praise or blame external factors such as the teacher, difficulty of the exam or luck. The extent of ones’ internal or external locus of control can determine the sense of influence one thinks he/she has over their own destiny.

A Risk-Free Life Expectation

Another factor that can influence peoples’ sense of destiny is the expectation of a risk- free existence. There appears to be a growing trend within our culture, over the last several decades that much of our survival can be viewed as safe and low risk. While accidents can happen, there is a sense by many that most of life can be managed safely. There are insurance terms such as “high-risk” occupations or drivers, financial “low- risk” investments, and job titles such as “Risk Manager”. Technological advances have caused many to believe that much of life can be controlled and be relative “risk-free”. For example, we may assume that we may always have a good-paying job or that we are assured of a decent level of happiness. Advances in medicine have lowered the probability of having to experience catastrophic health events which also contributes to an expectation of minimal risk in our lives.

If our trust is totally in things of the world such as science, technology, or medicine a sense of low-risk and personal control can be easily developed. History would tell us it is not all that unreasonable to think that way. There have been tremendous advances in science, economics, and human liberty over the last 100 years that does provide a greater degree of self-control over the environment and our own destiny. The expected measure of safety has made us feel secure in the world and the level of comfort can cause many to feel “at home” in the world. However, that trust can erode when things don’t go right.  It becomes a shock to the system and our trust in those worldly elements.

Lives Turned Upside Down

The disease, death, and economic consequences of the pandemic have shown the vulnerability of this world’s powers. It has caused some to question previous notions of life being low-risk or our ability to internally control what happens to us. In short, there is a growing feeling of having an external locus of control. That is not only uncomfortable but it can cause frustration, worry, anxiety, and fear. When the worldly elements of government, medicine, and technology could not guarantee or prevent the pandemic and its devastating results it became easy to feel that the world has let you down.

Whenever a natural disaster occurs one of the first responses can be to try to find some kind of blame. Examples are that the authorities didn’t give us enough warning or the government or health organizations didn’t prepare us etc. While there can be some responsibility spread around that might have minimized the impact of a given disaster, it may also be the case that often times nothing could have been anticipated or planned for. This reality contributes to a sense of external locus of control. For those, who prior to the pandemic had a strong sense of internal control, this raises many questions.

Recognizing We Belong in Two Worlds

The pandemic has highlighted, at one level, that we’re not just of this world. In many respects, it highlights the conundrum that all humans face in that we live in two realities – the world around us and God’s kingdom. The world we live in is God’s creation and is the arena for our earthy existence, our work, our passions, and our difficulties. Jesus stated in John 10:10 “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”.  In turn, God created the world for our use and benefit and our stewardship is a necessary obligation. In short, we are to be part of this world which also means that we will experience both the pleasures and sufferings associated with it.

However, at another level, we are also not of this world. As Jesus said to his Apostles at the Last Supper, “You are not of the world, and I have chosen you out of the world.” (John 15:19). We are part of a supernatural existence that is a mystery as the body of Christ. It is an existence that accepts that the will of God in the context for everything that happens. We may not always understand it but we believe there is a purpose behind everything.

Revised Expectations for our Lives

The notion of having control over our existence needs to be tempered by accepting the reality that we live in these two worlds. There is a world where we do have the freedom to control many things. There is also that world of God’s will that we can’t control.  At times it seems that we have to look to the model of Job in the Old Testament. Many bad things happened to him but throughout it all, he trusted in God that God’s will was loving and just. Accepting this can, hopefully, offer some peace and calm in this time of a pandemic, I am reminded the classic serenity prayer.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;               that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.