These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Memory of the Month: Psalm 33:4
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
Today's reading: ZECHARIAH 13-14 REVELATION 21
Right Or Not
A young man I know had covid through Christmas. He got the shots like they said to and had covid again the next Christmas. Some are so hard headed they won't get tested until someone has to call EMS. This is just one illness. The ads for flu and pneumonia shots have started to appear again. With all the fear that is being produced over these months of uncertainty, eternal truth is getting buried deeper and deeper. Folks are ignoring the real answer that is right here. Either they are right or not.
Mountains of prayers requests are coming in for healing and we pray for this healing, but are we praying for this healing as we should-with thanksgiving and the rest? What is the rest?
Philippians 4:6 ►Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
This passage says for us to not be anxious about anything. The sounds effects you now hear should be that of tires squealing the vehicle to a stop. Before we read any further, we should take care of the issue at hand-the elephant in the room that is never acknowledged. A lot of people feel the urge to pray or ask for prayer out of anxiety to begin with. The translation of anxiety here is 'being preoccupied'. So how do we not come to God when we are worried about someone we love-without the worry-without the preoccupation of anxiety?
If you show up to an emergent care facility 'all a flutter' full of anxiety-all loud and out of control-you will probably see more of the security patrol than medical care. Do you get the picture?
When going before God full of anxiety and fear, what spiritual gift-you know: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control-which of these do you exhibit with your behavior?
I know-I know how it is with me-when I want help, I want it now. I don't want some daily, devotional-hack to tell me I'm preoccupied-of course I'm preoccupied-someone needs help right now!
So how do we come to God with a very urgent prayer request without the anxiety?
There is no way to live out of anxiety short of the Lordship of Christ Jesus and this takes a lot of learning.
So, we must always be ready to learn. We must always be looking for what God is going to teach us next. This is part of loving God with all we are-we want to know what God knows. And so here comes patience. We must live patiently with the power of the Holy Spirit, our constant, patient companion. We must live in His patience for Him to reveal what lesson is next.
I know, nobody has time to think about all this when someone's life may be at stake. So, we all know someone or even a group who will pray immediately. Those folks who know how to pray in humility without the preoccupation of immediate family anxiety-because the anxiety will be there for most of us. It would be rather shallow for me to suggest that worry and anxiety are easy to control in an emergency.
Not easy-on the other hand, God would not have had Paul write instructions to not be anxious if He was not providing a way to that reality. So, while we are learning this discipline of no anxiety, what do we do? Call a friend who knows how to pray in peace and humility. This is what God's family around us is for. Get a breath and lean on God. He is absolutely right here all the time-nothing is stronger. Do what you can and keep leaning on Him. Give your emotions to Him. Throw your prayer requests on His mercy and learn to accept outcomes. This is the hardest. Things don't always end the way we want-but God will work all of it to your good as you love Him with all you are and as you are seeking to be changed into the image of Christ.(Romans 8:28&29)
Am I right or not? Is what I am feeling righteous or not? This is a question for all of us all the time-everyday-every waking moment. So ask your Father in Heaven and trust Him with it all. This is a life-long lesson. Learn it and it will serve you well.
Oh yes, do not judge those who seem to be out of control in emotional times. Love them with divine patience. This serves us all well.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me for 'going off' when trouble arises. Help me keep my focus on You. Have mercy on me.
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