Romans15:1-6
Now we who are strong ought to bear
the weaknessess of those without strength and not just please ourselves.Let
each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even
Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written,
"THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO
REPROACHED THEE FELL UPON ME."
For whatever was written in earlier
times was written for our instruction, that through preserverance and the
encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.Now may the God who
gives preserverence and encouragement grant you to be the same mind with
one another according to Christ Jesus; that with one accord you may with
one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans15:14
And concerning you, my bretheren,I
myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled
with all the knowledge,and able also to admonish one another.
When you worry
Dear One, you've been on
my mind and heart. I see you
struggling and planning, worrying and sweating, crying
and running, at a furious pace. You're trying to move
that mountain by yourself again, huh?
God asks that we cast all our cares on Him because He
cares. Think about what your worring says to God when
you refuse to give things over to Him.
When you worry about money, you're telling Him that He
is unable to provide for His children ... that although
He has riches beyond belief in Heaven, He is too stingy
to share them with you.
When you worry that no one understands you, you're
telling Him that although He has been with you since
before you were formed in the womb, and has carved
you into the palm of His hand, He doesn't know you.
When you worry that you will not have enough food,
you're telling Him that although He rained down bread
from Heaven in the desert to feed His children, you
are the one He's forgotten.
When you worry that your enemies will have victory
over you, you're telling God that although He has
given you spiritual battlegear to defend yourself,
that despite His track record of being a giant
slayer, Red Sea divider, lion mouth closer and a
furnace cooler, He can't handle your co-worker,
your neighbor or a former friend.
When you worry that your children have decided to
follow the world instead of your example, you're
telling God that He doesn't keep His promises ...
that despite the fact that you have raised them up
in the way they should go, they'll stray because
basically, He lied.
When you worry because the doctors told you that
children are impossible, that a cure is impossible,
that healing is impossible, you're telling Him that
this world controls your fate. You're saying that
prayer time with Him is nearly something to pass the
time. You're saying that although He can raise the
dead, make a virgin conceive, open the womb of a
woman well past eighty, heal a 12 year issue of
blood, make the blind see and the lame walk, He
can't help you.
When you worry that you won't be able to do enough
to earn forgiveness, you're telling Him "that's ok
Lord, no need for Your Son to die, I can earn my
own forgiveness." Let's just act like Jesus never
died, and tell Him never mind, that He doesn't need
to go to the cross.
When you worry that no one will love you, that
you'll be lonely for the rest of your life, you're
telling Him that His love is insufficient ... that
He couldn't possibly love you enough to ward away
lonliness. You're saying that although He has
promised life more abundantly, He was lying ...
that despite the fact that He started off saying
that it is not good that we be alone, He's changed
His mind.
When you worry and refuse to give the problem over
to Him, you're telling Him that although He could
create the world, He can't handle what's going on
in your world, so you will. You are saying that He
won't work things out, that obstacles cannot be
overcome, that mountains can't be climbed, that
healing cannot occur, that what is lost will not
be found, that joy does not come in the morning,
that He is not the God of a second chance, that
the promised land has been swallowed up by the
desert, that you have discovered the height, depth
and width of His love and found it to fall short of
your needs.
Think about all that you're saying to the one who
loves you the most and who has all power, really
think about it. Then open you hands and release what
you've been holding onto. Bow down on your knees and
ask Him to forgive you for doubting Him. Walk away
with a peaceful heart and note the footsteps that go
before you to make the crooked places straight, a
way in the wilderness, and water springing forth in
the desert.
"Stand in a stream with waters around your ankles.
The waters that pass by you at that moment, you will
never see again. So it is with the misery that has
challenged your life ... let it go, let it pass away."
T.D. Jakes
***
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously
look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen
you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you
with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10