Who’s in Control?
I woke in the middle of the night and starred into the darkness. Would I be all right while traveling half way across the country and navigating huge, unfamiliar airports on my way to a writers’ conference? Would our son and daughter-in-law snag a low-interest mortgage to purchase their first home? Had I measured and ordered accurately so that my husband would have little trouble installing our new kitchen cabinets? Had I …?
Worries whirled in my head, tumbling over one another and gaining speed. At this rate, I would win the Olympic God Medal for worry and finish well ahead of any competitor. Not good!
In his Word, God repeatedly urges us not to worry, not to be afraid.
By worrying, can we change anything?
- Would worry turn my cross country trip into a trouble-free journey? No, but trusting the details to God and thanking him for his goodness would ensure a trip filled with his good will.
- Would worry about my son’s first house mortgage make a difference? No. For Pete’s sake, it wasn’t even my business! But I could ask God to give him and his wife wisdom and the right opportunity. I could give the situation to God and thank him that he loved them and would see them safely through their newest family adventure.
- Would worry about the kitchen remodeling project make any problems go away? No, but asking God to guide us and thanking him for his gift of wisdom to overcome each challenge would take us safely through to completion.
The bottom line: If we want success and peace, God says we can have it. First, by remembering who’s in control–not us but our God Almighty who loves us. Second, by following his instructions (see below).
Focus: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” ~ Philippians 4:67, New Living Translation.
How about you? In what situations have you overcome worry and experienced God’s peace by turning to God in prayer?
9 Comments
Hi, I am Beth Ziarnik. Welcome to my blog!
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I sure like this. There were times I know I could have worried, but was in such a widow’s fog, I didn’t know how to worry; like my trip home from TN in Feb. 2013.. Get on a bus at midnight in Nashville, TN. Ride to Chicago, get off the bus and walk more than a block with my luggage, to the Amtrack station, down all those steps. I bought my ticket, and found a place to wait, till it was time for my train ride to Milwaukee. Somebody told me I had lots of ‘guts’ to travel like that. I didn’t have a choice. I had Jesus going with me, in complete serenity, where Maxine came to get me. It was the ride from Muskego to Peshtigo, I was too sleepy to worry.
Thank you for sharing your story, Lois. It’s a good illustration of how peace in Jesus makes all the difference, no matter what we face in life. And that peace comes through prayer and thanksgiving. Bless you!
Another useful post, Beth. Thank you for your insight and willingness to share.
Chris
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Chris, and you’re welcome. Bless you!
This is a wonderful and strengthening post Beth! Thank you for sharing! <3
Hey, Sue! You’re welcome. Good to hear from you!
I’m so gad it blessed you, Sue. Thank you for letting me know.
I look forward to our November Zoom! So glad you will be a part of that! 🙂
Me, too. Can hardly wait to hear what DiAnn Mills has to share with us on advanced characterization. A big thanks to you and Becky and the Pens of Praise Christian Writers for hosting this event.