Kids' Poker?

We'll say right off the bat -- despite the title, this is not about "Kid Poker" Daniel Negreanu. It's about a different player, who thinks poker should be a game for children.

Maria Konnikova is more than a winning poker pro. She has a doctorate in psychology, and she's working on a book about the chances we take. In an interview, she explained poker is a great way to learn how "to make correct decisions" - and she says those decisions are based on calculating risks, instead of being emotional.

Konnikova thinks young people can develop thinking and self-control skills in poker, that can help them make better decisions in life.   But she used a striking phrase to explain what's involved - the "illusion of control." We don't have complete control over a poker hand, because one wrong (or right) card can change everything.

The Bible offers seemingly conflicting views on controlling our lives. Here's one example....

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit is called self-control. But if it comes from God's Holy Spirit, do you really control yourself? Or is Something greater and higher controlling you?

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.... - Romans 8:6

The idea of "mind control" mixed with religion often leads to thoughts of brain-washing and spiritual cults. But as strange as it might sound, it's how a Christian is supposed to live. But not with the mind of a guru....

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.... - Philippians 2:5 (KJV)

How do you do this? It starts with believing Jesus exists - and that takes "child-like faith" (Matthew 18:1-3). But then you need to grow up in that faith.

When I as a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. - I Corinthians 13:11

As another Bible writer put it:

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. - II Peter 3:18

Let God control your life, and the "self" control should follow. You might even play better poker as a result.