It seems that every time I talk to someone they are worried and concerned about something. They want to have the kind of faith that simply trusts all the time, and they are good at quoting all the scriptures that speak about worrying like, Philippians 4:6-7 which says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Sounds easy, doesn’t it? However, the actuality of it is much harder. Is it that these people just cannot muster enough faith to move their mountain? Maybe they are in sin and they know that God must be angry with them. I do not think so. We each have the amount of faith God wants us to have and He grows it at the pace we can follow. Some people seem to be victorious over the mountains in their lives all the time, but why not us?

The Lord tells us in Luke 12:24-26 that we should consider the ravens: “They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” So, God cares more for us than birds, yes and that is a good place to start.

We need to remember that we are His creation, we are His children and He longs to give us good things and to make us more like him. He does this by sometimes saying yes to a prayer, sometimes saying maybe/wait for a prayer and other times by a resounding no! We, of course, want what we want when we want it, but that does not make it good for us or the right thing. As we sit in His presence and ask him to fill us with more of him, we begin to see more clearly as He does. We find it easier to be in His will resting in His Sovereignty over a situation.

If we could just understand that God is not a slot machine, or a scratch off. He wants to give us the things in life that move us toward him and eternity with him. Changing us as we make our way through this life. We are promised in his word trials and tribulations, not just a fun easy life of ease. We must remind ourselves daily of God’s Sovereignty over everything and our absolute dependence on him for everything, even our very breath! It all belongs to him. When we take the time to study his word and spend time with him in prayer we will find that the worry just seems to dissipate and our faith begins to grow. We find ourselves waiting with expectation for the answer to those things of life that trouble us and give us cause for pause.

The Lord hears us, Jeremiah 33:3 tells us this. He also says in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Do you see it? The answer to your worry is to come to him! He promises us if we come we will get rest and the burden he has is light.

God wants to give us peace. He wants to make our burden light. He is a gentleman and he will not force you to come and surrender your worry. It isn’t that other people’s lives are free of stress and hardships, but for those in Christ, maybe just maybe they have already learned the art of resting in Jesus and receiving the peace that comes from it. Why don’t you try it, who knows it may be addictive and you can walk around with that faith and peace you so desperately desire!