DON'T WORRY

DON'T WORRY

I have shared with you on numerous occasions that I have struggled at times with worry! I come from a long line of worriers. My grandmother thought that worry was a spiritual gift and she possessed it.

The past several days have been stressful for us, as our kids have moved from Minnesota to New Hampshire and Jan (my wife) flew out to help them with the long drive. There were lots of crazy things going on, and each day seemed to bring more and more stress. The more stress resulted in more fatigue, and with the fatigue, the old monster of worry came in like a flood.

One of the amazing aspects of a daily devotional life is how the Spirit of God knows what we need and when we need it. On the morning when the "worry monster" seemed to be hanging over my head, this was the reading for the day from my friend, Oswald Chambers (If you haven't figured it out -- Chambers is one of my favorite guys!):

"Do not fret -- it only causes harm!" -- Psalm 37:8

"Fretting mean getting ourselves "out of joint" mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say, 'Do not fret,' but something very different to have such a nature that you find yourself unable to fret. It is easy to say, 'Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him' (37:7) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people.

Is it possible to 'rest in the Lord' then? This 'Do Not' must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty, as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work for anyone else. Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself.

Worry always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way. Our Lord never worries and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God's plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.

Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle? Set all your opinions and speculations aside and 'abide under the shadow of the Almighty.' (Psalm 91:1). Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you. All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God." from My Utmost for His Highest

Well, God spoke to my heart! I needed that message. Thank You, Lord, that YOU KNOW exactly what your kids need.

Maybe this is something YOU NEED today. I trust it will bless and encourage your heart. Don't worry!