Trust in the Lord
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)
The Oxford dictionary defines trust as a “firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something”. On the contrary it defines worry as, to “feel or cause to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems”.
As human beings we like to “sort things out” or a least have them sorted out. That is exactly why we have most of the professions around at the moment. Doctors to sort out your health; lawyers to sort out your disputes; accountants to sort out your finances; psychologist to sort out your emotions; Engineers to sort out all sorts of physical problems from computers to bridges and the list goes on. We are always glad when we can call on a professional to sort out any problems we may encounter in the course of our daily activities. No wonder we tend to worry whenever such help is not forthcoming.
It’s a no brainer why we worry. If things don’t get sorted, then they will soon turn into a problem and nobody likes having problems. They are quite frankly, something to worry about!
The word of God gives us the antidote for worry – Trust. Trust is a firm belief in the reliability of something or someone. In essence, it’s a belief in the competence of someone or something to do what it says on the tin. If we are honest however, we know we are all aware of having been disappointed and sometimes misled by others posing to be something they were not at all or promising something they can’t deliver. Thankfully the bible doesn’t just ask us to trust, but tells us also, who to trust in – God, and who to trust – with all our heart. Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5).
Make no mistake, it doesn’t come naturally. We must consciously remind ourselves not to worry but rather to trust. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians telling them “Don’t worry about anything”. Thankfully, he doesn’t stop there but goes on to tell us how. Paul teaches that the way out of worry is to pray instead..unto God (Philippians 4:6-7). Jesus had a similar view, he advised his disciples not to worry about everyday things like what to eat, drink and wear or indeed their lives because worry could not add even a moment to it. He tells them instead to trust God because he knows they need these things (Luke 12:30; Luke 12:22-34).
There is a joke about a woman who was given to worry who answered when asked “why do you worry so much?”, ” Well, most of the things I worry about don’t happen!” Worrying might make us look concerned, but worry doesn’t really help. Instead, it can cause even more problems especially for your health.
So make a point not to worry again. When those anxious thoughts come your way remember
- Your heavenly father knows your needs (Luke 12:30)
- Trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5)
- Pray about everything (Philippians 3:6)
Here’s to a worry free life. Cheers…
Are you edging towards Hopelessness? read this
I read an article yesterday here, that almost brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I struggled to understand the unfortunate incidence.
A man who had worked at Heathrow Airport, London, UK, was found hanging from a de-icing vehicle in full view of passengers and staff – dead. So why did this man kill himself? The article tells us that he was afraid that “he could be made redundant after 23 years of service”. He had battled with anxiety following the news for about three weeks before sending an email to his bosses who had given him the “bad news”, and then ending his life. The report goes on to state that “the prospect of financial woes proved too much”. He left behind, three children.
A few weeks ago, I asked my husband this question: “What makes a person become hopeless? What makes a person consider his life circumstances and decide that the only way out is suicide (not considering the suffering they inflict on those they leave behind)?”
I am no psychologist so don’t expect an academic treatise. What I want to talk about instead is the claims the bible makes about how God has wired human beings, and why living contrary to God’s design is like living like a time bomb. To start with, the bible says in Acts 17:28, “for in Him we live and move and have our being”. This verse adds to the words of Jesus in John 15:5 when he said “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
There are forces at play in our world that we as human being have no control over. Some people call it fate, some call it destiny. I believe it is God’s sovereignty. God made the entire universe and all the creatures and stuff in it. He runs the universe by his infinite power and orders it all according to his will. This all-powerful God tells us that our very being is in him and without him we can do nothing. He doesn’t tell us that because He is out to spoil our fun and make life horrible for us if we refuse to acknowledge him. Contrariwise, He gives us this loving instruction because He who created us knows us best. He knows how we are wired and what makes us thick.
When we leave God out of the equation of our lives, we are left with a massive void that nothing else can fill. The pursuit of various theories of extra-God fulfilment (careers,family,money,fame,drugs,sex etc), is what I believe causes hopelessness especially the type that leads to the kind of fatality I relayed above.
God created us to derive our self-worth in Him. Without him we easily slip into hopelessness. Every person can know God in their lives today so, don’t continue living without him.
Toeying's Place 