Vol. 17 No. 05 | February 3, 2014
I read these words from Jesus, “Do not worry about your life.” I read these words from Paul, “Do not be anxious about anything…” And, I read these words from Peter, “Cast all your anxiety on him…” and I want to argue with them.
Before I get the objections out of my mouth Paul and Peter point to Jesus and remind me, “We are only the messengers! These are His words.” So, I argue with Him.
“Do not worry about your life? Are you kidding me? Have You ever been laid off from your job? Have you ever seen your hard earned paycheck disappear before you even get it deposited? Have you ever wondered where your next meal would come from, or when it would come? Have you have known something was wrong inside your body but found no answers from the medical experts?”
“Don’t be anxious about anything? Lord, are You serious?” I continue my case. “Lord, have you ever sat in a hospital waiting room as the person you love undergoes surgery to remove a tumor that may or may not be cancerous? Have You ever dropped your son off at his college dorm, hugged him, told him you love him, and drove home knowing that things will never be the same? Have You, Lord, ever been hundreds of miles away from your daughter, while she approaches and passes her baby’s due date? Have You ever been forced to watch as your son struggles to recover from his first true heartbreak?”
“Cast all my anxiety on You? All my anxiety? Do you really expect me to do that? Do you know what it’s like to give up the controls of your life and let someone else take control? Have You ever experienced what it is like to be totally at the mercy of someone else, knowing they could take advantage of you, hurt you, misrepresent you, and abuse you?”
He answers, while Paul and Peter stand nearby with their arms crossed and sly smiles on their faces: “Well, maybe not exactly those same circumstances, but I think I understand how you feel. I did send my one and only Son into the world to express my love for the people, only to watch as He was mistreated, ridiculed, judged, beaten, and killed. And, I have watched as my children have declared their undying love for me one day then turn their backs on me the next. And, I have witnessed my loved ones make promises and express vows of faith and faithfulness, only to watch them fall by the wayside when they experience opposition. And, I have been watching over you since before you were born and re-born clearing away dangerous obstacles, removing strong opposition, giving you strength and wisdom to handle the pressure, and going out of my way to express how very special you are to me. Let me ask you, did you know all that?”
Before I can shamefully slip away from His presence, He asks me to read the entire passage surrounding those statements. So, I read the entire passages.
(Matthew 6:25-27) “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
He asks me: “Are you not much more valuable than they?”
(Philippians 4:4-7) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
He asks, “Do you realize that I am always near?”
(1 Peter 5:6-7) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
He asks, “Do you realize how much I care about you?”
My argument is over.
Tom
© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.
well tom i needed all three verces,i have got wrote on a board beside my chair,dont be afraid god is with me,i was taking jingles(my dog)small one to the vet 10 minutes from my home he always stays on the passenger seat or in back seat he laid down for a little while got in the floor thenunder my feet,well dont know why i did not get off the road firsti reached down to get hinm and went in a deep ditch totaled my car just my luck i was not hurt (soar)after got to go to court the 26 of this mo.i didnt have full coverage haft to save up now,plus court cost,i thank god i did not get hurt and jingles to,not suppost to worry right?not easy,thanks for listening,nancy
Nancy, so sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you are healing well and can get all the details of court, etc., settled. Needless to say this article was written as much to me as anyone.
Tom