Well, today is earth’s last day. Or maybe it’s tomorrow. Or maybe it’s Sunday. Or it could be in 500 years. Who knows? When I was a kid I heard the Bible verse that says, “No man knows about the day or the hour that these things will happen” (Matthew 24:36), and I thought I had it figured out. I decided that I would announce every evening that Jesus was coming back the following day. I figured if I kept announcing it He couldn’t come back yet, since someone would “know” the day. Hey, I still had a lot of playground time I didn’t want to miss out on. “No trumpets today, Lord!,” I would pray, “I have a great game planned for recess!”
Today, on the day before the supposed end of the world, fear reigns. Anxiety is high. Worry is running rampant. In the wake of the worst crime most of us could have imagined, we are trying to figure out how God fits into the scheme of this life. We are scared for our children. We are sad that they will never know a world that feels safe. We are working out all the ways that we can control things. We are losing faith. I have been reminded of the words of Paul to the Philippians:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests before God. (4:6)
The Bible is filled with calls to give up worrying, to refuse to be anxious, to trust God, to pray.
The Bible is true. It is Truth. It has been Truth through all kinds of the worst atrocities and disasters of the human race. It was Truth during the Holocaust. When Christians endured torture as prisoners of war, it was true. When martyrs faced cruel deaths, it was true. When children were taught to huddle under their desks at school waiting for bombs to drop, it was true. When terrorists attack, it is true. When hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and fires rage, it is true. When mothers bury children, it is true. When the world is scheduled to end tomorrow, the Bible is true.
Whatever we face. Whatever happens. Be anxious for nothing.
God is still the One who spoke this earth into being. Nothing about His mighty, holy character has changed. He can handle the worst the world puts out there.
How do we do it? I don’t know. But, I know that God wants this from us. And, if He wants us to stop worrying, He will help us do it. How much time have we spent in prayer, asking Him to take our anxiety? How often do we try to “handle” everything, only to be reminded that we are weak and feeble? How do get there when the big stuff happens if we can’t even get there when the little stuff is going on?
Let’s start practicing now. When we are tempted to be anxious, let’s pray and see what happens. Whether we’re anxious about a dying child, a bad report from the doctor, or too many piles of laundry, God cares. And He will help us trust Him.
Who among you, by worrying, can add even one hour to his life? Luke 12:25
I love hearing from you!