Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Don't Fret

My Utmost For His Highest

‘It’s easy to say, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people. Is it possible to “rest in the Lord” then? If this “Do not” (Do not fret v 8) doesn’t work there, then it will not work anywhere. This “Do not” must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty, as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work for anyone else. Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself
Worrying always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God’s plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.’ CHAMBERS

When you don’t fret, it doesn’t mean you don’t care .. Jesus cared enough to die for us … it means that it is in God’s hands … and our life must be focused on Him.  Life will always provide opportunities for you to turn to your own wisdom and devices to deal with those things that come your way.  There are so many things that are beyond our personal control.  Especially what others do or don’t do.  We want them to succeed so badly … we see them take a wrong turn and then .. our stomach is in knots as we watch them make wrong choices.  Sometimes choices that will change their lives and the lives of others.

1 Peter 5:7 says that we are to cast all our cares on Him, because He cares for us.  Can you rest in that promise? You know the rest I am talking about?  Totally relaxed.  No tense muscles … no anxious thoughts … Philippians 4:6,7  says not to be anxious about anything  .. but in every circumstance  .. pray .. seek God .. and His peace will keep you .. sustain you … allow you to rest in Him.

Being in Haiti brings perspective on what, as an American, I consider problems.  Not having a cell phone or computer is such a limitation for American children .. not having a meal is a problem for most Haitian children.  Trying to get your kids to eat green beans is such a struggle at the dinner table.  Trying to find a bean for them to eat is a problem in Haiti.  Worrying about how they will pay their credit card debt is a problem for many American families .. wondering how they will survive another day is a problem for many Haitians.  I just can’t seem to worry about American problems anymore … but God says don’t worry about any problems .. American or not … just trust in Him.  Trust is not like a light switch that you can merely turn on and off.  It is a process that matures the more you do it … so the more you trust, the more you trust … God is faithful …He is trustworthy … worthy of our trust … Try it, you'll like it!

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

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