Do you believe that a higher power controls our fate or that we choose our own destinies?
Absolutely.
The Bible is very clear on this. The Almighty is in control of the universe, however, He has given us the greatest gift He can bestow. The freedom of choice. We can choose to include Him in the forming of our destiny, or we can choose to exclude Him and "go it alone." While the latter choice grieves Him in ways we could never understand, He does not interfere with our decision.
I hear people saying all the time that they prayed for something and "God didn't answer me." When asked what they expected the answer to be, they often can't reply beyond "something." My sister's roommate, L, told her that she didn't think God answered prayers, and my sister counterd, "Yes he does. He sent you to me." This has become even more clear as L's marriage and health started failing at the same time. Now the marriage is over and she is completely disabled, living in another state, and relying solely on my sister.
I just left this comment on another person's LJ, but it speaks to this very question:
It is incidents such as these that make me wonder how anyone can possible believe there is no God. They focus on the "rules" while ignoring His lovingkindness. I pity them for they miss so many blessings.
My mother never understood why I, of her four children, always seemed to have a hard time at life. Be it my job, my relationships, divorce, single parenthood, or just keeping my head above water. It wasn't until I was the only one left in town to look after her (and my father) that she came to realize that these very struggles had made me strong. Instead of me leaning on her, she was now leaning on me.
But God heals and restores brokenness, when we let Him.I could not agree more. The miracle happens when he fits those broken pieces together with those of another thereby healing and strengthening both.