Nicky Gumbel quotes
1955 – · Contemporary, 20th–21st century · Anglican priest, author and former barrister
About Nicky Gumbel
Born in London in 1955 and trained initially as a barrister, Nicky Gumbel became an ordained priest and led the international growth of the Alpha course, an introductory Christian discussion programme. His writings and teaching focus on evangelical faith, prayer, discipleship and apologetics, presented for general audiences.
Works: Alpha course materials; Questions of Life; Why Jesus?
Quotes
“You can't change how people treat you or what they say about you. All you can do is change how you react to it.”
Source: no specific work is documented · Check the source
Disputed attributionWhat we know
- What is documented
- The wording is widely reproduced under Nicky Gumbel’s name on quotation websites, but no authenticated sermon, book, or verified social-media post has been located.
- What remains uncertain
- Attribution is disputed: a Twitter post dated 11 March 2014 is cited in some datasets but has not been independently verified, and no earlier source has been established.
The line captures a simple power: you can’t control others, but you can control your response. It echoes ideas from Stoic practice and modern therapy that emphasize personal agency in how we interpret and react to events. Its brevity explains why it spreads as everyday advice.