Turn Off Autopilot

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Running your life on autopilot is a sin because it blocks the movement of the Holy Spirit. Autopilot is living each day, making decisions without conscious decision-making. Living on autopilot happens when you react based on instinct stead of forethought and wisdom. Autopilot feels comfortable until it isn’t. When you turn off the autopilot, you realize every situation and person has run your life, not you. When you realize your life hasn’t been your own, rather than look in the mirror often, you become angry, bitter, and depressed. Our lives quickly feel wasted.

Feeling like we’ve wasted our lives doesn’t have to be our reality. Whether you are eight or eighty, you can turn off your autopilot and reconstruct your life. Life reconstruction is possible at any age because reconstruction isn’t a one-time activity but an activity we should regularly revisit throughout our lives.

When we are young, we ask, “What will I do with my life?” Once you answer the question, we create our families, employment, hobbies, and other commitments. Rather than regularly reviewing these decisions, we strive to improve them, often until we hit retirement, and then we ask, “what am I going to do with what’s left of my life?” Once answered, people often do not consider the question again.

When you prayerfully turn off the autopilot and ask life questions, you do not feel the shock of life’s transitions because you are thinking ahead at every stage. You feel in control and more organized because you and the Holy Spirit are in sync, making your own decisions, and are blessed and guided by God. Today, turn off your autopilot and look at your life. What decisions do you need to address prayerfully? Then, with the Spirit’s help, take back your life!