Don’t Worry…
Years ago – Kia and I were on our way home from a vacation. We were returning from Colorado with friends (about a 10 hour drive). The trip had been great. Kia and I had connected deeper in our marriage. We bonded with our friends. The destination was beautiful. It was an easy, fun trip.
However, I was locked up with fear.
I was heading home. I thought of all the things on my plate and reality was setting in. After a week away, ignoring these pressing needs, I was on my way back. My week of rest was on the brink of being washed away with one worry-filled 10 hour car ride.
Ever have this feeling?
I was blowing up with worry in the back seat. There was no peace.
…Have Trust
The root of worry is trust, or should I say…mis-trust.
The question is,
“Do I trust God?”
Lack of trust produces worry, anxiety and fear. This is exactly what I experienced in the back seat on my way home from Colorado. Do I trust in you, God, to help me do ALL the things that need done? Locked up, the answer was obvious…
No.
I didn’t trust God was able to help me.
The 11th Son
It reminds me of the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis in the bible.
Joseph was the 11th son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham. He was Jacob’s favorite son, hence hated by his brothers. They sold him into slavery, and he ends up in prison. From prison he interprets Pharaoh’s dream, and finds himself promoted him from slave-prisoner to second in command of all Egypt.
Not bad.
Joseph oversees Egypt during a huge drought. Before this famine, Joseph sagely stores grain to save Egypt and the entire region.
Joseph’s brothers are included in this famine, so they come to purchase grain, but they have no idea who Joseph is. He tests them by sending them home with grain, and hiding their payment in the sacks of grain. They don’t discover this until their return home, and in fear, they do nothing. The famine continues, so they must go back to Egypt for more food.
Returning to Egypt, Joseph invites them to his house. While they wait for Joseph, the brothers approach a servant to explain the situation.
Will there be forgiveness?
Back Seat Listening
This isn’t much different than me sitting in the back of a car worrying about work. On a bigger scale, but it’s still the same. It’s not different than worrying about paying the bills, or anxiety over a micromanaging boss, or fear of past indiscretions. We ask ourselves the same basic questions,
Will their be hope?
Will their be change?
Will their be forgiveness?
So let’s look at the servant’s response. It’s the same response God has for you and for me.
Peace to you, do not be afraid. -Genesis 43:23
When God speaks into our lives, He always speaks, “Peace.” He never speaks worry, fear or anxiety. It doesn’t matter what we come to him with – finances, job, school, children, spouse, sin, addiction, pain, fear – God always speaks PEACE.
The situation may not change. Things may not improve, and they may get worse, yet He says, “Peace.”
Choices
So we have choices – two really. God always gives us a choice.
“Will I trust God? Will I not?”
When you trust, I can’t guarantee immediate change. I can guarantee eventual change.
I can guarantee hope.
I can guarantee forgiveness.
I can guarantee peace.
Why? God always speaks, “Peace.”
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