Help For a Heart That Worries
Today’s Truth
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
~ Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
Friend to Friend
The prophet Isaiah said, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor is his ear to dull to hear.” (Isaiah 59:1) Though I know in my heart this is true, I still sometimes go back and forth between doubt and worry as if God’s arms are short and his ears are dull. My friend Erica does too.
She came to my door with a package to deliver and a story to share. I
signed for the package and we began to catch up. Her kids are grown.
Mine are teens. Her daughter just got married. My oldest just went to
college. Mama to mama we shared and cared.
“My daughter and her new husband might be moving to Chicago. I have
to be honest, Gwen,” she said seriously, “I’m not doing well trusting
God with this. I’m struggling with anxiousness and worry.” I listened
and nodded with understanding, knowing full well the strain of worry and
anxiety.
Then she perked up and shared a story that went something like this…
God impressed a message on my heart this morning that challenged
and convicted me! I just have to tell you about it. I ride motorcycles.
Have for years. I love the feeling of being out in the open air. It’s
exciting and invigorating. When I ride, I feel vulnerable and alert.
It’s risky and requires balance, it’s much more difficult than driving
my car, but I ride because it energizes me and makes me feel alive.
This morning I rode my bike to work while it was still
dark. I don’t usually do that because the headlight is small, so the
light is dim. As I was riding, I began to thank God for allowing me to
ride my bike to work. I thanked him for allowing me to feel alive and
energized along the way. And as I did, He spoke to my heart. I sensed He
was saying, “Erica! This is what I want my relationship with you to be
like: exciting, risky, and energizing, like riding your motorcycle! But
instead you take your car with me. You want to feel safe. You want to
see with brighter headlights. You grasp for more control, by worrying
and fretting about things you can do nothing about. In doing so, you
miss out on a faith that is alive and energizing… a faith that trusts me
and takes risks.
She shared that story with tears and conviction in her eyes. We were
both moved and challenged. It left me with a fresh longing for deeper
faith.
I want to ride.
I want to take risks with the star-breathing, mountain moving,
speak-through-a-burning-bush, unpredictable, and unsearchable All-mighty
One!
God does not call us to a safe faith. He does not promise that we
will have a clear view of all that lies ahead. He does not promise us
simplicity. Instead, God invites us to embrace a vibrant faith that
trusts Him. A faith that is alive and energized, in spite of the
unsteady unknowns. His arms are not too short to save and His ears are
not dull to hear. He is powerful, capable, compassionate, merciful,
holy, just, and faithful.
These truths should hush our noisy doubts and calm the anxieties that seek to unnerve us.
God is sovereign and His ways are mysterious.
In the center of all of my questions this one resounds: who better to trust than God?
Myself? Hardly.
My paycheck? My medical chart? My emotions? I might as well chase the wind.
In contemplating this, I journey back to what the Bible has to say on such things.
“Live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what
he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 56:3-4)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make
straight your paths.”
Is the Lord calling you to trust Him with something or someone today?
Decide to ride.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Please quiet my anxious heart. Give me courage to step out
in faith, beyond what I can see or attempt to control. I bring these
heart burdens to You now _________.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
READ Isaiah 41:10,
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your
God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand.”
Consider what your day would look like if you believe this to be
true. Spend a few moments in responsive prayer, write in your journal
about it or post a prayer or response on the wall of my blog.
More from the Girlfriends
SPECIAL OFFER: If today’s message is where you are and you need more practical help, we have a resource called Trusting God. For a limited time, Gwen is offering a 20% OFF discount on the Trusting God book from her site when you use the coupon code: 20OFF. Click here to get yours now.
Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
She came to my door with a package to deliver and a story to share...
No comments:
Post a Comment