--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to think I could shape the…" description: "\"I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.\" — Bob Goff" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/bob-goff-1182_circumstances_i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circum_8198.png" --- # I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me… ![“I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.” quote by Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/bob-goff-1182_circumstances_i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circum_8198.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/bob-goff-1182_circumstances_i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circum_8198.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/bob-goff-1182_circumstances_i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circum_8198.png) > “I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.” [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizes that external events are not tools for personal control but catalysts for personal growth, especially within a spiritual framework. **In simple terms:** Events shape personal development. Key Takeaway Adopt humility toward circumstances. Themes spiritual growth humility personal development faith acceptance Mood reflective hopeful Type aphorism spiritual insight When to use this quote - life crises - career setbacks - relationship challenges - health issues Key Concepts agency transformation divine purpose Practical Applications - counseling - spiritual mentorship Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when circumstances feel overwhelming? - What can you learn from a difficult situation? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“We have become human doings more than human beings, and the verb “rest,” as Jesus uses it, is largely foreign to us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/we-have-become-human-doings-more-than-human-beings-and-the-verb-rest/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [It's not your circumstances that shape you, it's how you react to your circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-ortlund/it-s-not-your-circumstances-that-shape-you-it-s-how-you-react-to-your/) [Anne Ortlund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-ortlund/) > [“Circumstances shape who we are and who we become. I believe that. But I also believe we have choices. There are always choices.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/circumstances-shape-who-we-are-and-who-we-become-i-believe-that-but-i/) [Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/) > [“When ideas are detached from the media used to transmit them, they are also cut off from the historical circumstances that shape them, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-l-eisenstein/when-ideas-are-detached-from-the-media-used-to-transmit-them-they-are/) Elizabeth L. Eisenstein > [“But in reading all of the passages in which Jesus uses the word "hell," what is so striking is that people believing the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/but-in-reading-all-of-the-passages-in-which-jesus-uses-the-word-hell/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [There is nowhere in the four Gospels where Jesus uses the word 'homosexual.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/there-is-nowhere-in-the-four-gospels-where-jesus-uses-the-word/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [In a movie, a book, or a play, a character doesn't live in a vacuum. She is subject to pressures from the world outside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-franco/in-a-movie-a-book-or-a-play-a-character-doesn-t-live-in-a-vacuum-she/) [James Franco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-franco/) > [“The Lord's mercy often rides to the door of our hearts on the black horse of affliction. Jesus uses the whole range of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/the-lord-s-mercy-often-rides-to-the-door-of-our-hearts-on-the-black/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [As someone who grew up in tough circumstances, I know that being on public assistance is not a spot that anyone wants to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-heller/as-someone-who-grew-up-in-tough-circumstances-i-know-that-being-on/) [Dean Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-heller/) > [“our circumstances and know that ultimate victory is ours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-circumstances-and-know-that-ultimate-victory-is-ours/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fisher/i-have-learned-to-be-content-whatever-the-circumstances-i-know-what/) Renee Fisher > [In the same circumstances, I know that I would do the same thing again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melita-norwood/in-the-same-circumstances-i-know-that-i-would-do-the-same-thing-again/) Melita Norwood > [Most circumstances, I know my fate. But in this love thang, I don't get the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazmine-sullivan/most-circumstances-i-know-my-fate-but-in-this-love-thang-i-don-t-get/) [Jazmine Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazmine-sullivan/) > [I used to think I could learn about Jesus by studying Him, but now I know Jesus doesn't want stalkers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-learn-about-jesus-by-studying-him-but-now-i/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [God's grace comes in all shapes, sizes, and circumstances as God continues to unfold something magnificent in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/god-s-grace-comes-in-all-shapes-sizes-and-circumstances-as-god/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) ## More by Bob Goff > [Next to grace, I bet God thinks making us need each other was one of His best ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/next-to-grace-i-bet-god-thinks-making-us-need-each-other-was-one-of/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [The battle for our hearts is fought on the pages of our calendar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/the-battle-for-our-hearts-is-fought-on-the-pages-of-our-calendar/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [If we pick recognition over influence we'll be known for all the wrong stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/if-we-pick-recognition-over-influence-we-ll-be-known-for-all-the/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [“As I sit on my island, it becomes clears that we need to stop plotting the course and instead just land the plane on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/as-i-sit-on-my-island-it-becomes-clears-that-we-need-to-stop-plotting/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [“You become like the people you hang around, and to a great degree, you end up going wherever they’re headed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/you-become-like-the-people-you-hang-around-and-to-a-great-degree-you/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [The way we love people we disagree with is the best evidence of what we really believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/the-way-we-love-people-we-disagree-with-is-the-best-evidence-of-what/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [No book is a chapter, no chapter tells the whole story, no mistake defines who we are. Hope makes our lives page turners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/no-book-is-a-chapter-no-chapter-tells-the-whole-story-no-mistake/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Every time we see people as ordinary, we turn the wine back into water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/every-time-we-see-people-as-ordinary-we-turn-the-wine-back-into-water/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Faith isn't figuring out what we're able to do, it's deciding what we're going to do - even when we think we can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/faith-isn-t-figuring-out-what-we-re-able-to-do-it-s-deciding-what-we/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [I'm trying to surround myself during my life with the eight people I'd surround my bed with on my death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-m-trying-to-surround-myself-during-my-life-with-the-eight-people-i/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Most of our decisions are driven by either love or fear. Figure out who's doing the talking, then decide what you'll do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/most-of-our-decisions-are-driven-by-either-love-or-fear-figure-out/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Jesus lets us be real with our life and our faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/jesus-lets-us-be-real-with-our-life-and-our-faith/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [I used to think being loved was the greatest thing to think about, but now I know love is never satisfied just thinking about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-being-loved-was-the-greatest-thing-to-think-about-but/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Don't let uncertainty talk you into pursuing a backup plan instead of your purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/don-t-let-uncertainty-talk-you-into-pursuing-a-backup-plan-instead-of/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [“The people who slowly became typical have the greatest problem wrapping their minds around a dynamic friendship with an invisible, alive God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/the-people-who-slowly-became-typical-have-the-greatest-problem/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) [Explore all 277 Bob Goff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) ## More Circumstances quotes > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/the-fortunate-circumstances-of-our-lives-are-generally-found-at-last/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [“The set of circumstances that justifies the use of deadly force is a situation of immediate danger of death or great bodily harm to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/massad-ayoob/the-set-of-circumstances-that-justifies-the-use-of-deadly-force-is-a/) [Massad Ayoob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/massad-ayoob/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [It's impossible to know who Donald might have been under different circumstances and with different parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-l-trump/it-s-impossible-to-know-who-donald-might-have-been-under-different/) [Mary L. Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-l-trump/) > [When we watch a play under the standard circumstances, we've lost volition and time is passing. A still play feels like an existential threat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-greenberg/when-we-watch-a-play-under-the-standard-circumstances-we-ve-lost/) [Richard Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-greenberg/) > [Being positive helps you to keep away negative thoughts. And helps you to stand in adverse circumstances with the hope that in the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/being-positive-helps-you-to-keep-away-negative-thoughts-and-helps-you/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [It seemed to me that the human beings I met reacted pretty much the same to the same stimuli. Different idioms,yes. Circumstances and conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/it-seemed-to-me-that-the-human-beings-i-met-reacted-pretty-much-the/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [I don't think you would have missed that putt, but in these circumstances, I would never give you the opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/i-don-t-think-you-would-have-missed-that-putt-but-in-these/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [Instead of complaining about your circumstances, get busy creating new ones. You either suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-complaining-about-your-circumstances-get-busy-creating-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People often say that you should never work with child actors. I think that's all wrong. Children have not had the imagination kicked out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/people-often-say-that-you-should-never-work-with-child-actors-i-think/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) Browse all 4,560 Circumstances quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bob Goff" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Circumstances" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/bob-goff-1182_circumstances_i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circum_8198.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/bob-goff-1182_circumstances_i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circum_8198.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/bob-goff-1182_circumstances_i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circum_8198.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape…” — Bob Goff", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bob Goff", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I used to think I could...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```