There is a saying in Chess and in warfare. The opponent gets to take their turn.
Being in control does not mean that everything which happens is your doing or design. It means that you can and will succeed at achieving an outcome defined as victory.
Part of the awakening is, if going off of my prior reference to LoTR… is showing that Sauron is not invincible/inevitable. And/or producing just enough of a cover for Frodo and company to destroy the ring.
When that is done, people will not have to be told to change their plans for the future - they will naturally abandon despair and seek solutions with a bit more optimism.