Hundreds
of opportunities are available to keep us in a full state of anxiety.
Republicans are about to impoverish millions of Americans. Democrats are
going to bankrupt the nation. The earth is reported to be warming and
cataclysmic climate changes are certain to leave our coastal cities
under water and our fertile farm land will turn into a desert
that stretches from Minnesota to Mississippi! The most dangerous thing
you will do today is drive. On the road with you are teenagers who lack
skills and experience, trucks that are not properly maintained,
and people talking on cell phones whose driving is impaired as much as
if they had two alcoholic drinks. If they crash into your car, you
may severely injured and unable to work - which will lead to your
inability to pay your bills. Maybe I should worry that I watch too much
television.
Yes,
worry flourishes. Medications for anxiety are the most prescribed
pills in our nation. Blitzer, Matthew, and O'Reilly make a very good
living by stoking our fears with whirling graphics, ominous music, and
charts in vivid colors. All of the noise and fury of our media culture
keeps most of us from realizing that on the whole we live amazingly good
lives in a very wonderful society. It's not Heaven, but most of our
fears are tremendously overblown and exaggerated.
For
those times and situations in our lives that are cause for anxiety, the
Bible gives us a tremendously wonderful invitation. This passage is a
mix of realistic appraisals of the threats we face and the resources we
are richly provided for dealing with those threats.
"Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."
(1 Peter 5:6-10, NKJV)
Christians may cease worrying and to choose to live under God's rule, secure in His provisions for each day, if they so choose. When
we keep on worrying, we are disobedient and displease our Heavenly
Father. A friend has insisted that "Fear is sin!" When he first said
it, I argued with him, but the more I have thought about what he said,
the more truth I realized it contains! I cannot control the arrival of
thoughts that tempt to me to be afraid and/or to
worry, but I do have a choice about what to do with those thoughts. I
can persist in worry, which is an act of disobedience and therefore, sin.
Or I can prayerfully carry my friends, my world; all my fears; to my
Abba. The promise of the Word is that in that choice I may enjoy the
gift of the 'peace of God which transcends human understanding.'
What will you do with those things, big and small, that threaten your peace and security today?
Will you worry or will you pray?
Will you make great the Name of God in praise and reverent worship?
That creates faith which moves mountains!
That creates faith which moves mountains!
Failing
true worship and deep faith, our only choice is to attempt being our
own god, trying mightily to 'manage the risks' which we know are
ultimately beyond our control. And, that is futility.
Linger awhile with this word from the Word.
"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!
Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
Don't
fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises
shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before
you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together
for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens
when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Summing
it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and
meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling,
gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to
praise, not things to curse."
(Philippians 4:4-8, The Message)
_____________________________
Come Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, I need Thee.
Come, sweet Spirit I pray.
Come, in Thy strength and Thy power;
Come in Thy own gentle way.
Come as a wisdom to children
Come as new sight to the blind
Come Lord as strength to my weakness
Take me soul body and mind
Come as a rest to the weary
Come as a balm for the sore
Come as a dew to my dryness
Fill me with joy evermore
Come like a spring in the desert
Come to the withered of soul
O let Thy sweet healing power
Touch me and make me whole
Gloria Gaither | William J. Gaither
© 1964 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management
CCLI License # 810055
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