This does not mean however that we need to go through life waiting for the next calamity to hit, or feel that we're a victim of circumstance, helpless and hopeless. We who have a relationship with the living Lord have a better way to live available to us. We just need to ask! Jesus Himself said,
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
God never expected us to handle the problems of this world on our own. When we think of 'trouble' the character of JOB comes to mind. In this book, the earliest of writings in the Bible, we see Job saying "Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble", Job 14:1. I find it a comfort that there are no surprises, we may be caught 'off guard' at some of the earthly trials and tribulations that come our way, but the Lord never is unprepared. It is His plan after all! Ephesians 1:11 - He works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will!
In Matthew 6, Jesus prayed to His Father and asked that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus had His prayers answered! These words are familiar to us, they are a part of the 'Lord's Prayer', and we've probably heard them often. In this same chapter, Matthew 6, the Lord has a lot to say about worry.
Jesus is actually giving us a formula for a worry/stress free life!
- Don't worry about your life, what you eat or drink or what you wear.....look at the birds, they don't store away food, our heavenly Father simply feeds them.
- Look at the flowers, see how God has dressed them....not even King Solomon was dressed in this kind of splendor.
- Pagans (unbelievers) worry about all this, but we don't have to because our Father knows what we need, just seek Him.
- "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Yes, I think we've noticed this!
Easier said then done....we all know from experience. It's only when we step out in faith and trust God that we can 'let it go'. We can't do much about the stock market, the economy, our children's problems, the oil spill......it's all out of our hands. But we do have the promise that our heavenly Father knows what we need. We just think we know what we need! When you lack faith in any area of your life, ask Jesus to supply the faith you need. It comes from Him alone.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". Hebrew 11:1.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...." Hebrews 12:2.
We lay our concerns and requests before Him, then wait in expectation....King David wrote about this in Psalm 5. He asked God to 'consider my sighing and listen to my cry for help'. Isn't this what we want? Lord, please, listen to me! In Ps. 34:17 - 18 David talks about the Lord hearing us and delivering us from our troubles. We may not be 'delivered' as soon, or in the precise way we expect.....but a solution will come, that's a promise.
This can be a sad world, but God can see what we can't. There are times that we feel 'crushed in spirit' and are brokenhearted. It's such a helpless feeling, and NOT from God. He wants us to feel His presence, sing in the shadow of his wings (Ps. 63:7), and never be 'shaken' by the events of this world, Ps. 62: 1 - 2.
In order not to worry, we ask for faith, which then leads to peace. 'For He Himself is our peace.....' Ephesians 2:14. Spiritual truth is not like other truth. I know 2 + 2 = 4. That isn't going to change. And today, at this moment, I know 'God works all things together for good...', but I can forget that in a heartbeat as I get caught up in this world. All I have to do is turn on the news! And Satan loves it! He wants me to struggle, worry, feel stressed......anything but trust God! The truth is....I cannot hang on to spiritual truth without God's help. When we call out to Him, He is always faithful to respond.
If we're worried and not content, we're shouting to God, 'YOU ARE NOT ENOUGH'! Contentment is NOT something that comes naturally for most of us....it is learned. As we begin to trust the Lord for everything, we can say like the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4, "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances". Whatever the circumstances!!
Praise be to God, the Father of contentment! Thank you Lord that YOU are able to provide all we need. I love being tucked under your wing! I love being the child of the Almighty God, my heavenly Father.
