JPF
2005-02-01 17:06:29 UTC
When you worry about money, you're telling Him that He is unable to provide
for His children, that although He has riches beyond belief in heaven, He is
too stingy to share them with you.
When you worry that no one understands you, you're telling Him that although
He has been with you since before you were formed in the womb and has carved
you into the palm of His hand, He doesn't know you.
When you worry that you will not have enough food, you're telling Him that
although He rained down bread from heaven in the desert to feed His
children, you are the one He's forgotten.
When you worry that your enemies will have victory over you, you're telling
God that, although He has given you spiritual battle gear to defend
yourself, that despite His track record of being a giant slayer, a Red Sea
divider, a lion mouth closer, and a furnace cooler, He can't handle your
co-worker, your neighbor, your former friend.
When you worry that your children have decided to follow the world instead
of your example, you're telling God that He doesn't keep His promises, that,
despite the fact that you have raised them up in the way they should go,
they'll stray because, basically, He lied.
When you worry because the doctors told you that children are impossible,
that a cure is impossible, that healing is impossible, you're telling Him
that this world controls your fate. You're saying that prayer time with Him
is merely something to pass the time. You're saying that although He can
raise the dead, make a virgin conceive, open the womb of a woman well past
eighty, heal a 12 year issue of blood, make the blind see, and the lame
walk, He can't help you.
When you worry that you won't be able to do enough to earn forgiveness,
you're telling Him, "That's okay, Lord; no need for Your Son to die, I can
earn my own forgiveness." You're acting like Jesus never died, or like there
was no need for Him to go to the cross.
When you worry that no one will love you, that you'll be lonely for the rest
of your life, you're telling Him that His love is insufficient. You're also
saying that, although He has promised life more abundantly, He was lying,
that despite the fact that He started off saying that it is not good that we
be alone, He's changed His mind.
When you worry and refuse to give the problem over to Him, you're telling
Him that although He could create the world, He can't handle what's going on
in your world, so *you* will. You are saying that He won't work things out,
that obstacles cannot be overcome, that mountains can't be climbed, that
healing cannot occur, that what is lost will not be found, that joy does not
come in the morning, that He is not the God of a second chance, that the
promised land has been swallowed up by the desert, and that you have
explored the height, depth and width of His love and found it to fall short
of your needs.
Think about all that you're saying to the one who loves you the most and who
has all power. Really think about it. Then open your hands and release what
you've been holding onto. Bow down on your knees and ask Him to forgive you
for doubting Him. Walk away with a peaceful heart and note the footprints
that go before you to straighten the crooked places, prepare a way in the
wilderness and make water spring forth in the desert.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will
uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
for His children, that although He has riches beyond belief in heaven, He is
too stingy to share them with you.
When you worry that no one understands you, you're telling Him that although
He has been with you since before you were formed in the womb and has carved
you into the palm of His hand, He doesn't know you.
When you worry that you will not have enough food, you're telling Him that
although He rained down bread from heaven in the desert to feed His
children, you are the one He's forgotten.
When you worry that your enemies will have victory over you, you're telling
God that, although He has given you spiritual battle gear to defend
yourself, that despite His track record of being a giant slayer, a Red Sea
divider, a lion mouth closer, and a furnace cooler, He can't handle your
co-worker, your neighbor, your former friend.
When you worry that your children have decided to follow the world instead
of your example, you're telling God that He doesn't keep His promises, that,
despite the fact that you have raised them up in the way they should go,
they'll stray because, basically, He lied.
When you worry because the doctors told you that children are impossible,
that a cure is impossible, that healing is impossible, you're telling Him
that this world controls your fate. You're saying that prayer time with Him
is merely something to pass the time. You're saying that although He can
raise the dead, make a virgin conceive, open the womb of a woman well past
eighty, heal a 12 year issue of blood, make the blind see, and the lame
walk, He can't help you.
When you worry that you won't be able to do enough to earn forgiveness,
you're telling Him, "That's okay, Lord; no need for Your Son to die, I can
earn my own forgiveness." You're acting like Jesus never died, or like there
was no need for Him to go to the cross.
When you worry that no one will love you, that you'll be lonely for the rest
of your life, you're telling Him that His love is insufficient. You're also
saying that, although He has promised life more abundantly, He was lying,
that despite the fact that He started off saying that it is not good that we
be alone, He's changed His mind.
When you worry and refuse to give the problem over to Him, you're telling
Him that although He could create the world, He can't handle what's going on
in your world, so *you* will. You are saying that He won't work things out,
that obstacles cannot be overcome, that mountains can't be climbed, that
healing cannot occur, that what is lost will not be found, that joy does not
come in the morning, that He is not the God of a second chance, that the
promised land has been swallowed up by the desert, and that you have
explored the height, depth and width of His love and found it to fall short
of your needs.
Think about all that you're saying to the one who loves you the most and who
has all power. Really think about it. Then open your hands and release what
you've been holding onto. Bow down on your knees and ask Him to forgive you
for doubting Him. Walk away with a peaceful heart and note the footprints
that go before you to straighten the crooked places, prepare a way in the
wilderness and make water spring forth in the desert.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will
uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)