Do you, like me, struggle with fear and anxiety, feeling like you need to know what will happen so that you can make sure it will be okay?
Gradually, I am finding more and more peace in life, and the reason is simple: knowing I am loved, and that I have a heavenly Father Who can be trusted.
I am forgiven. Because of Jesus Christ, my slate has been washed clean. I came to God by faith in Jesus, asking Him to forgive me. I gave my life into His hands, to follow Him, not to earn anything but because I am His. I am following Him. And now I have His promise to take care of me. Not because of anything I have done, but because of Jesus. And that security is available to all who will come to Him and follow Him the same way.
And something the Lord has encouraging me in recently is this: knowing the Father’s love through Jesus can really help with anxiety.
You know, so often I think I need to know the answers: that I need to know why or how or what… or what will happen next…
But something has been clicking recently: I don’t need to know.
I am so, so loved. I can rest in my Father’s arms, and trust His heart when I don’t have the answers; when I don’t understand.
No, I don’t know the answer to that.
No, I don’t know why. No, I don’t know what. No, I don’t know how.
But I choose to trust my Abba Father. I choose to trust His heart.
I don’t need to know. I don’t need to understand.
All I need to do is trust.
Because some things just don’t change.
God is good.
God is trustworthy.
God has promised to provide for those who trust in Him (and He also responds to our faith: to our trust!)
Ok, so it doesn’t always look like He is control- not at a superficial glance.
Ok, so it’s not always easy. Trust, and peace, are things we grow in. It doesn’t always come all at once.
But I chose to trust my Abba Father. I choose to trust His heart.
When I look ahead to the future, it doesn’t need to be in fear. Because fear does not take into account the loving heart of my Father God, Who has promised to give me all I need.
Living in the moment, from His arms.
Choosing to rest in Him.
Choosing to know Him now, because it’s only right now that I can know Him for right now.
Choosing to rest in His love.
Now, that could really simplify life!
What has God called me to do now? Then why am I worried about tomorrow?
’33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’ Matt 6:33-34
I’m not saying I’ve got this! I haven’t! Actually, whilst writing this post, I fell far short with it again. But it’s what He’s teaching me. And I think it’s the way of very deep, very precious peace!
I can commit my burdens to Him and He will carry them for me, and He will provide.
‘Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.’ Ps 37:5
And He will carry my burdens for me, and give my heart His rest.
(Whether you know Him or not, He is reaching out to you right now. Come to Him through Jesus, receive what Christ did on the cross, turn from sin, surrender your life, your burdens and your cares into His hands and find the way to abundant peace).
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Caroline Abblitt 