What Goes to God, Stays with God
Dear Friends,
Have you ever felt like a guinea pig running around and around on a wheel in a cage, getting nowhere and never moving forward? I know there are times when I feel like I’m “spinning my wheels” without getting much traction. Boy, that can be frustrating.
What a blessing it is to know that I don’t have to “spin my wheels” when it comes to my anxieties, concerns and worries! Once I have thought about them, tried to resolve them, and finally cast them to God through prayer, He accepts them into His care and I no longer have to dwell on them. Finally, I can let go, jump off that spinning wheel and move on.
Many will say that’s easier said than done, and I agree. It’s normal to be worried about a whole host of things, those near to us and those half a world away – the economy, our business, our families, or the plight of so many people around the globe. I’m not advocating that we simply pray to God to “take care of everything” and take no action of our own. We do have the responsibility to use the resources that God has entrusted to us – our time, talents and treasures - to enact change according to His word.
So yes, pray for God to feed starving people or rescue a mother and child from an abusive relationship or help a man find a job so he can support his family. Then go one step further and consider what you can do to help improve or resolve some of those situations. Take action. Do what you can. Be a responsible steward of God’s resources and use them to bring His Word to life.
When you have done all you can, then it is time to cast those worries, anxieties and fears to God through prayer, with the assurance that He hears you, He accepts your worries, anxieties and fears and He will take care of them in His time. Then… stop. Relax. Take a deep breath. Take comfort that you have done all you can do and turn it over to God. As I’ve reminded you in previous blogs, He is your provider and protector and He will always guide you and take care of you. Psalm 23 says, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.”
So when you cast your cares to God, take the time to listen to what He says to you in reply. Unfailingly, He will open the door to a path that brings you relief from your anxieties. Has this prayerful release of your worries helped you get through an especially pressure-filled time? Share your story and inspire others.
Blessings,
Ron
Well spoken Ron. When I was listening, I was thinking again about the importance of meditating on and memorizing passages like Philippians 4:6-7.
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Hi Brent,
I have a coaster in my office with Philippians 4:6-7 on it so that when my memory gets overwhelmed it still stays front and center as a great reminder.
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Thanks Ron,
This was a timely reminder for me. Today began with simply a feeling of being overwhelmed. Not completely, just a heaviness. Its not one big challenge but many yet to be resolved little ones. So I agree and sometimes we need to be reminded, that when we've done all we can, the only thing left to do is turn it over to our Lord. I do know this, He always, eventually comes through with an answer.
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