Prayer Works Better Than Worry
My daily devotions have been remarkably persistent lately. Trust God. Don't complain. Believe when things seem impossible. You know what that means, right? A test was coming!
Saturday was our annual community-wide family fun day, our biggest outreach event of the year. Picture bouncy houses, obstacle courses, carnival games, and excited children everywhere. It takes an army of volunteers to run each station smoothly.
As the coordinator, I'd been struggling with the volunteer roster. We were already at least two people short, forcing me to consider doubling up some staff. Several potential helpers responded with those dreaded words: "I might be able to help, but I can't commit."
The anxiety was building as the day approached. Then Friday evening, the phone rang. One of our core volunteers had a family crisis and needed to bow out. Completely understandable, but my heart sank. I took a deep breath, committed everything to God (again), and told myself I absolutely would not panic.
My daily devotions have been remarkably persistent lately. Trust God. Don't complain. Believe when things seem impossible. You know what that means, right? A test was coming!
Saturday was our annual community-wide family fun day, our biggest outreach event of the year. Picture bouncy houses, obstacle courses, carnival games, and excited children everywhere. It takes an army of volunteers to run each station smoothly.
As the coordinator, I'd been struggling with the volunteer roster. We were already at least two people short, forcing me to consider doubling up some staff. Several potential helpers responded with those dreaded words: "I might be able to help, but I can't commit."
The anxiety was building as the day approached. Then Friday evening, the phone rang. One of our core volunteers had a family crisis and needed to bow out. Completely understandable, but my heart sank. I took a deep breath, committed everything to God (again), and told myself I absolutely would not panic.
Then Saturday morning, we received another call. Another volunteer was coming down with a cold and couldn't make it. We were already short-handed, and now we were critically understaffed. As if that weren't enough, after weeks of sunshine, the skies were threatening rain. And then, a power outage. Seriously? How are we supposed to host an event during a downpour and a power outage!!!
At this point, I was fighting full-blown panic. But something in those devotion times must have taken root. Instead of my usual fretting and frantic reworking, I prayed. And prayed. And prayed some more.
You know what happened? The power came back on. The rain held. And people showed up! Some we'd never even asked appeared at just the right moment, asking, "How can I help?" By the time we opened the doors, we had enough volunteers to run every station. The day was a tremendous success, with countless families from our community experiencing our chapel's love and hospitality.
The entire experience reminded me of Philippians 4:6-7: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
How many hours have I wasted worrying when I could have been praying? How many stomach aches and sleepless nights could I have avoided if I'd simply taken my concerns to the Lord first instead of last?
Prayer works far better than worry, not just because it produces results (though it certainly did in this case), but because it produces peace. Even if God hadn't sent those extra volunteers, the peace I felt after surrendering it all to Him was worth the practice.
Perhaps you're facing your own impossible situation today. The math doesn't add up. The resources seem inadequate. The need feels overwhelming. May I suggest setting aside your calculator and picking up a prayer instead? God specializes in making a way where there seems to be no way.
The math of heaven often defies our earthly calculations. Five loaves and two fishes shouldn't feed thousands. Twelve ordinary men shouldn't change the world. And a small chapel in rural Wales shouldn't be able to host a community-wide event with inadequate volunteers, but our God specializes in the impossible.
Prayer works better than worry. Every single time.
Helpless But Hopeful
At the time of this writing, it is three days before our biggest community event of the year. I’ve been planning and preparing for weeks, hoping to iron out every wrinkle so the day will run smoothly and successfully. But you know what the Bible says about man's plans, right?
About a week and a half ago, my back decided to throw one of its fits. This wasn't its everyday pinch, sting, and ache. This was lying flat in the bed for an entire week! Yup, a whole week where I couldn't work on the mountain of things that needed to be done. Oh, how helpless and frustrated I felt.
After a visit with my osteopath, I finally started feeling some relief and could start pecking away at a chore here and there as long as I took long rest and stretch breaks in between.
At the time of this writing, it is three days before our biggest community event of the year. I’ve been planning and preparing for weeks, hoping to iron out every wrinkle so the day will run smoothly and successfully. But you know what the Bible says about man's plans, right?
About a week and a half ago, my back decided to throw one of its fits. This wasn't its everyday pinch, sting, and ache. This was lying flat in the bed for an entire week! Yup, a whole week where I couldn't work on the mountain of things that needed to be done. Oh, how helpless and frustrated I felt.
After a visit with my osteopath, I finally started feeling some relief and could start pecking away at a chore here and there as long as I took long rest and stretch breaks in between. Unfortunately, just as I was beginning to feel some relief in my back, I noticed a dry tickle in the back of my throat. Today, that tickle has developed into a full-blown chest cold, complete with brain fog, fatigue, coughing, congestion, and so much more.
As I think about the many things I still need to do and fret about what will happen if I don't, it takes everything in me not to break down and cry. But as frustrating and overwhelming as this situation feels, I know deep down that God is in control. His timing is perfect, even when things seem to be falling apart all around me. The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
When life throws us curveballs, and everything feels chaotic, that's when we need to lean on the Lord the most. He has a plan and a purpose, even if we can't see it amid our struggles. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Instead of fretting and trying to figure everything out on my own, I need to surrender my worries to the Lord. 1 Peter 5:7 instructs, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." And when I'm tempted to be anxious, I should follow Philippians 4:6-7, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Even though this situation feels impossible in my own strength, I have to remember that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). He can take my weakness and use it for His glory if I let Him. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."
How Can I Find Peace?
I love it when the Lord takes a familiar passage and opens my eyes to a truth I never noticed before. Take, for example, this passage:
“ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
I think most of us have heard it a million times and could probably even quote it in our sleep. The message of the verses is simple, yet profound, reminding us to turn our problems over to God with a gracious and thankful heart. Granted, living out these verses is not as easy as quoting them. I wish it were!
If you would humor me, I want you to read through those two verses again, paying attention to every word and every phrase. Go ahead. I'll wait.
Done? Good. I did the same thing this morning. When I first started, I rushed through, half reading and half quoting. But then, I paused. "Wait a minute! I just noticed that!" Oh, how I cherish these "aha moments" in God's Word. Verse seven tells us that the peace of God will keep our hearts and minds, right? But I want you to notice when it says this will occur. After God answers our prayer? After we're out of our difficult trial? After all things are made right in our lives? After we drown our sorrows in chocolate cake and Pepsi (or maybe this one is just me)? When will we get that peace for which we long?
According to the entire passage, that peace comes directly on the heels of turning our problem over to God in prayer with thanksgiving. We don't have to wait for the prayer to be answered or the problem to be solved. We can have a peace that passes understanding immediately!
Now, if you're anything like me, you read that last paragraph, and the word "but" formed on your lips. I get it. Sometimes I feel worse after I pray, not better. After pouring my heart out to God, I find myself in a deeper state of despair and discouragement. What gives? That's not what's supposed to happen, right? But it does happen, more often than I care to admit. So, is the Bible in error? No, I am.
The Scriptures tell me that I'll have God's peace when I give my situation over to God, but that's not what I'm doing many times when I pray. I'm not giving it to God; I'm merely rehearsing it in His presence. Instead of asking God to deal with the problem, I whine and complain about how difficult it is and pray for strength to deal with it myself. Don't get me wrong. There's nothing sinful about praying for strength, but there's something very wrong about me holding onto my problems and being proud enough to think I can handle them on my own. Is it any wonder I walk away from my prayer time feeling discouraged and defeated?
If we want to truly experience the peace of God, we have to follow the formula set forth in His Word. First, stop worrying about the situation. Worry solves nothing. Two, take it to Jesus and leave it there. Three, thank the Lord for what He has done and is doing. Four, accept the peace He offers willingly. It's really not complicated. In fact, it can be summed up in one familiar saying: "Let go and Let God."
Designing Your Own Roller Coaster
Best of the Best: Help! I'm Stuck!
Have you ever played with a Chinese finger puzzle (aka, Chinese finger trap, Chinese handcuffs)? Who would have thought that a simple braided tube could evoke both panic and laughter, depending on whether or not your fingers happen to be the ones in the tube?
The trick to the Chinese finger puzzle is that the captive must keep in mind that the trap defies logic. In other words, common sense tells you to pull your fingers away from the tube, but because of the way the trap is designed, your attempts to pull free only tighten the trap around your fingers. The trick is to relax and allow your fingers to go limp. Then, and only then, will you be freed. In order to free yourself, you must throw out common sense and your own vain attempts to pull free. Letting go and relaxing is the key.
Life certainly has its shares of Chinese finger puzzles, doesn't it? Things that ensnare us. Time and time again, we find ourselves prisoners of bodies that lack strength and energy, finances that spend far more time going than coming, deadlines that hover, storms that threaten, relationships that stress and frustrations that could fill the Grand Canyon. And the fact of the matter is that all of these things are just part of life, and there's not much we can do about it. What was can deal with, however, is how we approach these puzzles.
I am, by nature, a very logical and analytical person. If I weren't such an emotional basketcase, I'd make a great Vulcan (though I'd prefer to pass on the pointed ears). I have a tendency to attack any given problem or situation from a logical and analytical standpoint. Step one, assess the problem. Step two, create a list of possible solutions. Step three, choose and implement the solution. Step four, survey the results, then repeat if necessary. Steps five through ten, consume significant amounts of chocolate. Straightforward. To the point. Think it through, then act accordingly.
It sounds like a good strategy, but there's one problem--I've left no room for faith. And so I pull and thrash and expend time, energy and other valuable resources attempting to solve my latest Chinese finger puzzle. My logic says, "Pull, and if that doesn't work, pull harder." My faith says, "Just relax. Your Father can take care of this." Two different voices. Two distinct messages. But I only get one choice. To whom will I listen? Will I continue to struggle, always searching for new ways to make everything work according to plan? Or will I just relax and allow the Lord to have His will and way in every area of my life?
I wish I could say it is an easy choice. It should be, but the truth is, sometimes it's just so difficult to let go. But I've recently come to realize that I'll never be truly free until I do. Until I place my complete trust in Him, I won't be free of worry or anxiety or depression. Until I surrender everything I have and everything I am, I will be held captive by my own desires and ambitions. Until I learn to relax, I will be cut off from the real peace and joy that the Lord wants for me to have.
You know the best way to escape from a Chinese finger puzzle? Don't stick you fingers in there in the first place. Likewise, the best way to avoid the frustrations and discouragement of life is to not stick our fingers in the mix. Just give the problem to God. Don't get mixed up in it. Don't waste time and energy trying to find the solution. Just turn it over to the One who knows all and relax. He's working all things for your good, and unlike us, puzzles don't ensnare Him or stress Him out. Let it go. Just take a deep breath, and relax. God's got this!
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7
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