I’ve been watching the news about the terrible flooding in Tennessee. World Vision has a team based in Nashville, and many of my friends from Thomas Nelson publishing live there, so I’m praying for them.

I’ve never experienced a natural disaster myself, but I’m sure it’s agonizing to fear for loved ones and disturbing to see your home and possessions damaged or even swept away. Still, many affected families will eventually rebound through insurance and government assistance—the safety net we can rely on as Americans.

In my travels in the developing world, especially to places affected by natural disasters or war, I’ve noticed a key difference between myself and the poor: I am accustomed to feeling a sense of control over my circumstances. Perhaps it’s my economic situation, my job security, or my education, but I tend to think I can handle what life throws at me. And if I can’t, my safety net will be there. People living in chronic poverty have no illusions about control. Day-to-day they struggle along, with nothing to catch them when they fall.

As hopeless as that sounds, there’s an upside: It strengthens their faith. They must depend on God. Every day, their faith is renewed.

Here in our wealthy country, it often takes a drastic experience to put us in that position. We often need to be literally at our wits’ end to give up control and give it to God.

The reality is, we are dependent every day—every minute—on God for our every breath. How would it change us if we lived that way?