“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. “ 1 Peter 5:6-7
Perhaps you remember the poster boy of Mad Magazine, Alfred E. Neuman, always with the tag line of: “What, me worry?” God didn’t create us to worry. It is an acquired worldly skill. He says to trust Him and refuse to worry.
We all have those days when we feel wobbly as we look at perceived difficult times looming ahead, measuring them against our own strength. Usually they are not that day’s tasks, but are somewhere in the future. Some that may never happen at all. God wants us to leave them in the future and focus on the present. He promises us to empower us to handle each task as it comes along. Worry drains us of our ability to focus on God.
Have you ever stopped to think that humans are the only creatures capable of anticipating future events? That can be a blessing when used right, but also a curse when it causes us to have excessive worry about the future.
Peace does not come with excessive planning and attempting to control what happens in the future. We lose God’s peace when our minds spin with multiple plans. Just when we think we have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws life into confusion.
God did not design us to figure out the future. It is beyond our capability. He crafted our mind for continual communication with and trust in Him. He says to bring Him all our needs, hopes and fears and commit everything to His care.
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9.
“Commit your way to the Lord and trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
Psalm 37:5.“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34
Give it a try. Turn from the path of planning to the peace and He will give you a peace which passes all human understanding.
By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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