Worry... Fear... Waiting on the Lord
Matthew 6:25-34 comes to mind as we think about not having fear or worry. Jesus says for us to “take no thought for your life” and goes on to talk about our food, clothing, etc. - the things of this world that affect us and that we tend to worry about. What do you worry about the most? What are you afraid of? What concerns you? (fitting in, the future, school, job, death, good-byes) In the Greek, the word “thought” means to be anxious about, to be distracted by, care, concern. The Amplified puts it this way- stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life!
This same Greek word is used in Luke 10:38-42, when Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things” What caused Martha to explode in front of Jesus? What causes us to explode at our family or friends? (expectations of others, lack of gratefulness, pride, wanting praise, focus is on self - wanting to be noticed, thinking only of what others are thinking of me). Mary didn’t want to miss out on the presence of Christ. She sat at His feet. She did the one thing that was needful. What distracts us from listening to Jesus? (sleep, school, working out, music, being too busy, sin... the WORLD is anything that alienates you from God) How can you remove these distractions... or change your list of priorities? (choose to get up early, choose to spend extra time in the Word, pray, memorize His Word). What’s most important to you? Would others agree as they observe your life? Don’t waste moments.
~side note: things that cause us to “explode”... Enthusiasm is God in us. Think of a tea kettle. When you’re boiling/in the midst of difficulty, what kind of whistle do you give? My life is to shout the existence of God (so that others say, God must be in her!). Let’s pray for this! May we respond under the control of the Holy Spirit!
The same Greek word is used in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon Him.” The Amplified put it this way, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him. Here’s what we can do with these troubles and worries. Take them to the Lord in prayer. You can come to Him anytime, anywhere! Prayer is taking your mind and focusing it on God, and then re-focusing! Pour out your heart to Jesus (Psalm 62:8). Phil. 4:6, Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours]. 1 Peter 4:12 - don’t be shocked at hard things. Satan’s goal - to harass and paralyze us into thinking that nothing will ever change.
And here’s the amazing part - the second part of the verse, “for He careth for you.” Amplified, He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. This word for care means to take interest, to care; concern; it matters. How greatly we are loved! Preach this to yourself: He cares for me. What matters to me matters to Him. Remember Romans 8:28 and the promise that if it’s not going to work for good (that’s God’s goal), He wouldn’t have allowed it. He is good. The safest place for us is right in the middle of God’s will.
~side note: protection and the Umbrella analogy - you don’t hold the umbrella, only God does! to the degree you let Him hold the umbrella, you will have peace. we cannot be in control! be yielded to His authority. peace comes with authority. Christ is our peace.
Here’s just another way how this Greek word is used. 1 Corinthians 7:32, 34 He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord... The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. In a positive way, we are to care and be concerned about the things of God, how we can please God, how we can pursue holiness and be wholly separated to Him. Where are your concerns centered? Do you even care about the things of God? Ask God to help you desire Him more.
Waiting on the Lord think of Jesus and His example of waiting. He was peaceful in the wait. He waited thousands of years to become flesh and dwell among us. He waited 30 years to begin His earthly ministry. He waited until Lazarus was cold and decaying before He raised him from the dead. We must learn to wait as He does. What profit is there in the wait? Isaiah 64:4 (He acts for those who wait for Him).
“The more fretful we get with God, the less likely it is that He is going to do something fast. He wants us to learn to wait” “impatience accomplishes nothing except to shatter your peace”- Elisabeth Elliot. Put yourself completely in His hands. His timing is right. Isaiah 40:31, But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Are we assured that we are safe in the hands that hold the stars? Can we wholeheartedly surrender to God, leaving quietly with Him all of our ‘what ifs’ and ‘but what abouts’? ALL can rest quietly in His very capable hands. ~Elisabeth Elliot
“don’t strain your eyes to see the future – for you will not be able to see clearly what God wants you to see now." ~Elisabeth Elliot
“It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what.” ~Joni Eareckson Tada
"Live each moment in such a way so as to bring glory to God. In Him we find our dependence - as we pray and seek God, He guides our daily choices. Not knowing the future, forces us to live in the moment. God has a plan for our life - but do we believe it enough to walk one day at a time. Faith like a child - not worrying about tomorrow, but having complete trust and faith in God. When we do not know the plan and are only able to see the steps before us, we need to look up and "see" God and where He is moving and blessing our efforts or what He is calling us to. The plan is kept from us - forcing us to walk in faith. Cherish and live in each moment God gives you. Be all there to live the moment revering God and bringing Him glory in all your thoughts, words, and actions. Live in the moment!" ~Mr. Jim Weidmann
"We may be missing the fact that it is here, where we happen to be at this moment and not in another place or another time, that we may learn to love Him - here where it seems He is not at work, where His will seems obscure or frightening, where he is not doing what we expected Him to do, where He is most absent. Here and nowhere else is the appointed place. If faith does not go to work here, it will not go to work at all." ~Elisabeth Elliot, The Path of Loneliness
Evaluation Questions to Prayerfully Ponder from StoryTime with Gina:
Supporting Scripture: Psalm 37:1-8. 23-34; Isaiah 40:28-31
· Who are the “wise women” in your life? Is there anyone speaking blessings and truth into your life?
· How have your parents sought to love and protect you? Is there anything that you need to talk to them about or tell them?
· Do you trust God with “Your Story”? Is there anything you need to surrender to Him?
· Whom are you trying to attract? Why?
· Do you resemble a Sleeping Beauty or might you better be called a Restless Beauty? What is keeping you from resting in the Lord?
· Do you journal? Consider beginning a journal, to record the blanks as God fills them in. This becomes an invaluable resource to boost and build faith as you look back at the great things He has done, recount today’s acts and anticipate His work in the future.
