God Speaks Today…Literally, Part Five

“But make up your mind not to worry beforehand…” (Luke 21:14a)

A few days ago, this verse jumped off the page of my Bible and smacked me in the forehead. Then it invaded my brain where I’ve been rehearsing it ever since.

Make up your mind not to worry beforehand…

In the context of the passage, Jesus was instructing His disciples about the persecution they were sure to encounter because they were followers of Christ: betrayal by friends and family; delivery into the hands of the government and church leaders; death. Heavy stuff.

Make up your mind not to worry beforehand…

But in my case, I think Jesus was instructing me about simplifying my thought life. Maybe it also involves persecution or something equally as heavy. But I’m positive it involves how I process the daily ins and outs of life within my crazy little brain.

I’ve got a long list of weaknesses, but I’ve honestly never considered “worry” to be one of them. (I said this to my friend Cindy the other day, and she about fell out of her chair. Apparently, I appear more worried than what I feel on the inside.) I deem worry to be a waste of my time and energy. A futile reaction to life’s inherent difficulties. When a situation arises where I could be tempted to worry, I remember that God is in control. Even if something bad does happen, I know God promises to use it for my good. See? No reason to react in worry. God’s got my back. The end.

Make up your mind not to worry beforehand…

But God doesn’t want me to REACT to life’s inherent difficulties at all! He wants me to make my mind up BEFOREHAND what I will say, do or think. He wants me to wake up each day knowing—really, really knowing—He will give me words and wisdom that none of my adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Whether I’m betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives or friends. Whether they *gasp* put me to death (literally or just by their words). God promises not a hair of my head will perish (they won’t mess up my hair!?!). By standing firm I will gain life. (Luke 21:15-19)

Make up your mind not to worry beforehand…

He wants me to wake up tomorrow and make up my mind beforehand not to worry about

If I’m going to get a book contract

If I do get a book contract, how I will manage to meet deadlines

If my house will sell

Where I’m going to live

If I even want my house to sell

If we should build a new house or buy a new house

If I get a book contract AND my house sells at the same time (!)

If my kids would thrive more on acreage or in a neighborhood

If we should sell everything and just help poor orphans overseas

If I’m overloading my kids with activities

If I’m not presenting my kids with enough challenges

If I’m being the wife Jon needs

If I’ve been a terrible friend

If I’m using my gifts, talents and resources for God’s glory

If I’m making the best use of my time

PHEW!!!

Make up your mind not to worry beforehand…

I know I’ve always got a lot swirling around in my brain, but it never dawned on me how much I mull over (i.e. worry) about all of that, every waking minute of the day pretty much, until God highlighted that verse for me. It’s a delicate balance between giving important matters adequate consideration and falling into the trap of worry.

So with God’s mercy today, I will not mull, stew, analyze or thoroughly consider each and every option, because those are just fancy words for “worry.” Today I will rest in God’s loving grace, knowing with full assurance that He’s way more concerned that I approach Him with a pure and humble heart than He is about acreage, deadlines or perfectly executed time management. Today, I will make up my mind not to worry beforehand.

The end.