Trust

Have you ever had occasion to worry? I have. Or, at least I told myself at the time that worrying would be a logical thing to do. But, truthfully, worry is rarely based on logic, and more often than not, worry only causes us to think excessively about something that will not come to pass.

It's clear in the Bible that we are not to worry. 

Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ..."

This doesn't always make it easier to stop my worrying. What do I worry about? Problems the kids might be facing, how we are going to pay a certain bill, driving in the snow, getting enough work. You know, all totally valuable things to think about! ha! None of these things has ever been a big deal, in the end. The kids always pull through their tests. One has glasses - so what!? So does half the country. Bills? Whatever - never have I bounced a cheque, and never have I needed for anything. Sometimes, when I get bitten by the worry bug, I think about the song I learned in church, years ago... Jehovah Jireh, My Provider, His grace is sufficient for me.

Worry is sin. Plain and simple. Do NOT worry. It's clear. So, why do we do it? Simple - we're humans and humans like to do things for themselves and be in control. But, when we take control of our life, we fail. When we put our lives in the hands of our loving God, he takes care of us, leads us and provides for us. 

 
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

I clearly remember a time, shortly after I moved out on my own, when money was especially tight. I was in a new city, by myself, and I had big bills to pay for the first time. Rent $525/month. Truck $506.47/month. Phone, food, clothes, gas.... seriously, how do people do it? I guess that was the first time I really realized how much my parents did for me during my growing up and university years. The only significant thing I had paid for was my University education. And at that point, I was really glad that they encouraged me to never take a student loan. I worked 4 jobs to pay cash for my 5 year degree, and finished it in 4.5 years so that I didn't have to have extra payments of parking pass, student fees, etc, during the final semester. But, even during that low money-flow time, God provided. I was asked to sing at various events, weddings, funerals, etc, and that gave me a bit of extra cash, and I learned, (yet again!) that worrying is futile. God will provide.

As I was completing my degree, I applied, and was interviewed for, 4 jobs in my hometown. I didn't get any of them. I was so upset, and could not understand why God wasn't providing a job for me. But, four days after I graduated university, I was offered a teaching job in a different city. I accepted the job and soon had to move out of my parents' home. In the new city, where I still live, I found a new church, a great group of friends and within two years, I was married to an amazing man. Today, we have 3 kids and I look back and laugh at the things I worried about. Now, they seem so small. God has a plan, he has a way, and whenever we seek his will, we will have his best for us. 

Does that mean I am worry-free? Again, ha! Nope... just means that I have to constantly remember where I've come from and the promises God has already fulfilled in my life so I can see, again, that I have no reason to worry when I am trusting Him. I'm at that job juncture, again, and so I hold to the verse that says God has my best interests in mind. If I get the new job - awesome. I will better my best every day and strive to be the teacher God calls me to be. If I don't get the job - that's ok, too. I will trust that God will provide something else for our family. 

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  

 

 Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.