 |
| NO FRETTING |
I have been a Christian for quite some time now, but yet all too often I find myself slipping back into those old habits of fretting. I commonly disguise this term by saying, “I’m not worrying, I’m just concerned over this matter.” As if in some way being “concerned” sounds more pious and holy! I mean, after all, I should know better. The Holy Spirit has recently given me direct revelation that all the “concerns” that I fret over are sinful and grieve Him. It implies that I don’t fully trust God concerning my circumstances, and therefore, must fret over them. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Not only is God sovereign over the entire universe, He is quite sovereign over every little detail of my life too! Why would I ever doubt that? I guess, in my frail human condition, I periodically need to be reminded.
Once again, I was led to the Scriptures…specifically the promises contained therein that the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me, that He is my Rock, my Refuge, my shelter in the storm. That He loves me unconditionally and forgives me continuously. I praise God for His many unconditional and conditional promises because they truly bring me hope and deep peace. They allow me to rest in Him knowing that He will always be victorious. When my focus is inward and not upward, I easily become overwhelmed. When I am overwhelmed, I become consumed with myself, and when I am consumed with myself, I fail to see God’s hand working in my life. Maybe just maybe He allows some of those difficulties to draw me closer to Himself. To seek after Him more fervently while down in the valley. To experience His presence even in the trials and hardships of life. He truly is the Only answer to all of life and everything that concerns me. I guess I just need reminders now and again.
Even so, I am thankful that God so graciously grabs my attention, especially when I become fretful, because I have learned that in my own strength I will always falter. When life becomes chaotic and my own strength wanes, it is then that I am always, always reminded to go back to the Source; the Living Water; the Bread of Life—Jesus. Ahhh, and when I do, He always delivers. I envision Him reaching out His loving hand for me to take ahold of, as He gently binds up my wounds with His heavenly salve. He does not desire for me to be weary and heavy-laden. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28). As I come to Him unloading all my burdens, I am reminded that He alone is the great Burden-bearer. Only His shoulders are strong enough to carry all that concerns me. Under the crushing weight of my own cross, I only stumble and fall. But when Jesus walks alongside me, helping me to carry my cross, my burdens become lighter. I am reminded of the One who walks with me, carrying me, comforting me, guiding me, and ministering to my weary soul. I am filled with new strength and vigor for the journey ahead.
If we fret and place all of our focus inwardly, we will lose out on the joy of the journey. We became saddled with confusion and doubt as to any future outcome. But the secret things belong to the Lord. And the future is the “secret” things. If we could just learn to walk with the Lord, step by step, day by day, not being so concerned about what has not yet even occurred, what peace would invade our souls! Why, we don’t even know if we will be here to witness all of our deepest fears and concerns! Jesus reminds us that we are but a mist that is here for a little while and then is gone. Why do we waste such precious time fretting and worrying about something that may not even happen? Why do we become so consumed with ourselves? When we do, we are not able to help advance the kingdom of God. I cannot help but think that the Lord is grieved when all of our focus becomes inward. After all, as Christians, the ultimate goal of our existence is to bring glory to God. How much glory can we bring to God when we doubt, fret, and are overcome with concern only for ourselves? Now, I am not implying that we don’t have legitimate cares and burdens that we carry. It is what we do with those burdens that matters. Do we complain and grumble and run to the phone? Or, do we take all of our burdens to the throne? “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life” (Philippians 2:14-16).
Jesus told us we would have troubles in this world but we are to take heart for He has overcome the world. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). I believe one of the best things we can do after we pour out our hearts to God and lay all of our worries at His feet, is to leave them there. That’s right. Once we give them to God, leave them there and don’t pick them up again. When the urge to fret comes again, and believe me, it will—immediately talk to God, reminding Him you believe that He is sovereign over your circumstances, and thanking Him in advance for working all things out for your good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). By continually rehearsing the same prayers over and over again, we sound like a broken record. Worst of all, our attitude indicates that we don’t believe God heard us the first time around. Instead of repeating the same requests continuously, can we start to praise God for the answers we know are already on the way? We may not see them with our physical eyes yet, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t working. In fact, He is always working behind the scenes. We just don’t “see” because we are looking for tangible evidence. But God often works in very intangible ways. We can’t see what is going on in our loved one’s hearts, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t at work. We may not see the outcome we desire, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t working overtime to prepare others and us to receive His answer. Let us do what we can do—pray, trust, and believe, and leave the ultimate outcome with God. He is not powerless, and nothing is too difficult for Him.
Our responsibility is to stay closely connected to God, stop fretting, and start believing. Yes, even in the seemingly impossible circumstances. For truly nothing is impossible with God. “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). He longs to bless His children, to reveal His glory in and through our lives, and to answer our requests. We must never forget to trust Him, commit our ways to Him, and delight ourselves in the Lord. And when we can do that with abandoned hearts, guess what? He will give us the desires of our heart. And maybe that desire is nothing more than a peace that surpasses all understanding, and a willingness to carry our cross, our burdens, with the greatest Burden-bearer of all—Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
