Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow...

It struck me that some of the time, I probably come across as though I have things figured out--like I'm trying to teach you (whoever "you" is) a lesson that I have down pat. Well, I have news for you people! Usually, I blog about something because God has just showed it to me and I can't keep it to myself. I don't have it all figured out and I probably never will.

Case in point: I am a worrier about money. I'm really pretty laid back about everything else, but I worry about money all.the.time. The kicker is--we have never been broke, never paid even one bill late, never had to go hungry. We've made sacrifices for me to be able to stay at home, but we've never had to go without anything necessary to our survival--and even many luxuries.

And still, I worry. Do you know what I worry about? This is my thought process--"What if so-and-so happens, we have to use our savings over a period of time, we have no more money, we can't pay our mortage, we have no house, and so on and so on?" So basically, I worry about months and even years far off in the future. It is so ridiculous when I type it out, but it is serious stuff when I am thinking about it.

It drives my husband absolutely NUTS. And it turns me into a miserable, impatient, sad....person. What lousy trust in God, right? I know what to do...and I don't do it.

I am so thankful at times like these that God's Word bubbles up in my heart and speaks straight to what I'm going through, right now. He says, "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own" (Matthew 6:34). Sheesh, ain't that the truth?! My brain and my heart can't handle the troubles of today and tomorrow, much less of today, tomorrow, the next day, and the next day, and the next day. In verse 33, though, Jesus says that if we seek His Kingdom and His righteousness first, all of the other things we need will be added to us. We don't have to desperately pursue them or covet them or worry; we just have to seek Him and serve Him and He'll take care of us.

Remember when Jesus taught His disciples to pray? Part of it was, "...and give us this day our daily bread". This day. Not because He won't provide for us tomorrow, but because we don't even have to wonder.  He will provide for us today. He will give us the strength to make it through today. He will give us joy for today. And because He can and will take care of us today, we can be sure He will do it tomorrow as well. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Unchanging. Faithful.

I know now why we're supposed to meditate on God's Word day and night (which means to ponder it and think about it, by the way). If we keep it in our hearts and minds 24/7, we never have room for doubt and worry to slip in.

"Don't worry, be happy" seems like a simple mantra. However, happiness is one thing and peace is quite another. Happiness is fleeting, but peace....God's peace can take us through the worst of times and the best of times. I'm still trying to get there--to the place where I relay only on God, and not the state of the government or the economy or the cost of groceries or health insurance. In the meantime, I am so thankful that time and time and time again, He proves Himself trustworthy, faithful, and good. So good.