My Journey With God

Chapter 8: Be anxious for nothing

“Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” Psalm 33:20-22.

“And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.” Psalm 39:7

I have had a problem in the past with making rash decisions. I would often make quick decisions because I was anxious and wanted a decision made right away. God has taught me to be anxious for nothing and to bring all my problems, needs, and wants to him and then wait for his direction.

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” Psalm 62:5

Now when I have a problem, need, or want, instead of making a rash decision and acting upon it, I go to a room alone and talk to God about it. I have noticed that while I am talking to God, my spirit calms inside me.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”Isaiah 26:3

There is nothing too hard for God. We just need to bring it all to him and then stand back and wait on him. Several years ago at work, I was calling the airlines to confirm a reservation for my boss. When I called to confirm his first class seat, the airlines told me they could not find his reservation. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I always made all of my boss’ airline reservations several months in advance to ensure that he would get a first class seat and then every few weeks I would call to confirm the reservation. After I regained my composure, I asked the airlines to again book him on a first class seat, but they said there were no more first class seats available. My heart sank. I went ahead and booked him in coach, hung up the phone, and had a talk with God. I told God I needed help. I needed a first class seat for my boss. While I was talking to God about this, I heard a still small voice in my heart say that he would get my boss a first class seat if I told my boss that God did this for him. I started to get very nervous, but I needed the first class seat so I told God okay. I called the airlines every half hour to check if a first class seat became available. A few hours later I, or rather God, got my boss a first class seat. Now came the hard part. I was waiting for my boss to walk in the door. When he walked in the door, I told him the whole story of what happened and what God did for him. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. My boss then walked into his office but he had a first class seat and I was happy.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:6-7.

We must be anxious for nothing. If it is God’s will for our life, it will happen. One year in February, I was feeling really depressed. I had never felt this way before in my life, but I assumed it was depression because I literally wanted to crawl in a hole and not come out. I would come home from work and go to my room. I didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything. I wanted to quit all the activities in my life. Along with working full time, I was attending weekly Toastmaster meetings and attending the local university. I felt like I needed to get away from it all. Visiting my mom in Texas came to mind, so I talked to God about this. I asked him that if this is what I should do, then to please let there be a mileage ticket available for me to leave in two weeks. I knew that if I could get a mileage ticket to leave in two weeks, then it was from God because you have to book mileage tickets several months in advance. You guessed it, I got my mileage ticket and flew to Texas for a visit with my mom. It was just what I needed.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.”Isaiah 40:31

Another reason that we should be anxious for nothing is because God is good and often gives us the desires of our heart even if we didn’t ask him.

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:4-5

Several years ago, I had a coffee pot with a thermos carafe. I dropped the lid to the thermos and it broke. I called the company to see if I could just purchase a new lid, and they said I had to purchase a whole new thermos for $34. At the time, I didn’t work and had three small children at home. I didn’t want to spend $34 for a new thermos. That weekend I went garage saleing and on a table I saw the very lid I needed for $2. I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t asked God for help, probably because I was a new Christian then and didn’t think about it or maybe because it wasn’t a big enough problem for God, but nonetheless I knew in my heart the moment I saw the lid that God had put it there for me. God loves us and he loves to give us things that we need or even just want even if we don’t ever ask him. Yes, God cares if one of his children has a problem, any problem, even a problem as small as needing a new lid for a coffee pot.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7