Permission Granted. Stop Worrying.

OK. So I got a big wake-up reminder this morning from Oswald Chambers.  (My Utmost for His Highest is one of my favorite devotionals.)

Chambers is writing about Matthew 6:25…
“Do not worry about your life.”
What a simple statement / command.  Right?
Not too hard to misunderstand what Jesus is telling us here.

“Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances.  Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and he says we must not think about these things so as to make them the one concern of our life.  Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first.”

Wow.  Double Wow.

I so get this.

It’s way too easy for me to let my worries become my focus.  You too?
An elderly parent’s aging needs…
Disease that is relentless…
Unpaid bills with threatening words…
A fight that has left your heart raw…
Wanting to be married.
Wanting not to be married.

Our circumstances take over our lives.  The worrying, the pain, the fretting, the whining…they take center stage while we forget there is a God who knows exactly how this scene is playing out.  A loving, compassionate, POWERFUL God who wants to have a relationship with ME.  A God who is standing right next to me, waiting for me to take His hand and invite Him into my story.

“Do not worry about your life.”

This morning these words gave me permission to stop worrying.

God doesn’t ask me to take control of my frustrating situation.  It is impossible for me to control it, right?
God doesn’t ask me to be the fixer of my problems.  That’s His job.
God doesn’t ask me to fret, fret, fret…worry, worry, worry…wring hands, wring hands, wring hands.  He asks me to rest in the shelter of HIS wings.

He wants me to keep HIM in the center of my world.
He wants to give me Peace. Joy. Strength. Sleep. Hope.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.

Oh, dearest Jesus, thank you for reminding me that I do not need, nor should I, worry about my life.  Thank you for knowing every single detail about my circumstances.  Please forgive me for putting my “stuff” before you — for fixing my gaze on my circumstances rather than on Your beautiful face.  Thank you for taking care of my [family, finances, children, parents, job…].  Jesus, thank you for taking care of my life.  I invite You into my story.

 

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