Why do we spend so much time worrying about things? Why do we stress ourselves out over things that we have little control over? On second thought, we really do have control over most things, it’s just how we choose to attack each situation. These days I have come to place my worries at the foot of the cross. I choose to have faith….faith that things will go right, faith that my day won’t be as bad as it may have started….and faith that God is always there…even when I may not feel Him there.
My sons, on the other hand, have yet to figure these truths out. We take them to church, they listen to sermons when they are in the car with me, but they are still a little too young, I think, to fully grasp the awesomeness of what God can really do for us.
My oldest worries about everything….he worries when I go get the mail….he worries when his brother has been down the street with his friends for too long. He worries at soccer when he is trying his best, but his best isn’t good enough for his coach. He gets discouraged when others may talk down to him.
My youngest has issues with not thinking he is good enough. He gets worried at soccer when he thinks he isn’t performing as well as the other children. He gets upset and worries when others may make fun of him.
Tonight, I just couldn’t take it anymore. We got home from soccer and I wanted to find something to encourage them with. I’ve tried before to sit down and go over something from the Bible, but it usually just turns into me getting angry because they won’t listen. Tonight was going to be different…..and to my surprise….it was.
Their mother went out for a walk to finish her steps for the day and I sat down with them in the living room and opened my Bible to Joshua. I told them that Moses had just died and it was now Joshua who was to lead the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promised Land. I told them that I’m sure he was nervous…..he had never done this before. I’m sure he questioned himself, and heard the whispers around the camp. “What does this guy know, who picked him to be in charge?”
But I also told them that God was with Joshua…..just like God is with us all the time. And at the end of our talk, I handed them each a card I had made for them to pull out whenever they felt discouraged, when they were worrying about something….whenever they felt like they were alone. On that card I wrote:
“Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
They thought that was the coolest thing. My youngest put it in the side pocket of his backpack, my oldest put it on top of his phone, so he would know where it was tomorrow when he woke up. I think they may have learned something tonight….and I thank God for finding the right story to help me get the point across.
So, when it comes to our worries….know that we aren’t alone. Know that God is always there, and Jesus is always walking right next to us. It’s like the poem, Footprints. In our toughest of times, there was only one set of footprints in the sand, because in those times, it was Jesus that carried us.
As Jesus says in Matthew, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30.)”
So tonight I pray for my children…..I pray for them to be encouraged. I pray for you as well, for you to not grow weary….to not let your worries take over your life. I pray that you can find peace in Jesus Christ, and know that he is there….always….to take your worries away.
Tetelestai 