When I have a dire decision to make or have to wait for someone else to make a decision that might change my life, I get anxious. I feel like I have to know what the next step in my life is before I get there. I like to prepare and organize my life before I jump into cold water. Lately, I've been coming to some decisions that I have to make: decisions that will change my life. I don't really know what exactly God wants me to do. I've been praying extensively about it. A few days ago, I wrote in my journal that I wish that God would just write what He wants me to do clearly on the wall. I thought that if God would just scribble in Sharpie on my wall, I'd do the right thing and I could get ready and prepare for that next step. But last night, I was talking with my mom: one of those late night talks in the kitchen. She told me that I really should not be so anxious and worried because, if I was praying about it and was seeking God on it, then I shouldn't have any reason to be anxious or worried. That really opened my eyes. I saw that I had been really worried about what wasn't even happening yet and trying to run my life faster than the world turns.
With all this in mind, I looked up some verses on the subject. It's amazing how many verses there are about being anxious. God knew how much people can get boggled down with useless things and stress themselves out over little things. So many of these verses are really familiar to a lot of us. But sometimes we just read it, underline it, and then forget about it the next day. But these are really going to stick in my mind.
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:25-34
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." 1 Peter 4:6-7
2 comments:
Yet another great post! It is indeed easy to think of not being anxious, and being so anyways. But, as you stated, if we constantly do what God tells us to, He will take care of the rest! What a comfort to know that we need not worry; that God will care for us as He sees fit.
Thanks for posting this! Your posts have been an inspiration to me, and continue to be. Keep it up :)
I love those late night talks with my mom, too. =) I am glad you received encouragement and were able to pass that message along to us readers through your blog! All these tests of faith... the Lord will provide in His timing and in His perfect way! Keep watching and praying. =)
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