Dear One,

I have been struggling recently to remember that God is in control. I don’t mean to say I forget that He controls the world and greater points in history. That is somehow easier to admit. What I lose sight of is the fact that He is also in control of my life and the little daily things that can happen to me. Jesus told the crowds in Matthew 6 that since God provides for the birds and the grass we should know that He will also provide for us. It is easy to worry about the things that can go wrong, and there are a great number of things that can. In your lifetime you have no doubt seen many. The Lord may be saying that just because something can go wrong does not mean it will and worrying about it will not change tomorrow anyway.

[epq-quote align=”align-right”]As unpleasant as it is to endure trials, they do draw us closer to God, and prayer is our tool in getting there. This is casting our cares upon Him. Maybe He has a purpose for allowing problems that goes beyond our own personal strength.[/epq-quote]We must not allow worry for tomorrow to rob us of the joy of today. Even when today is hard, there are still pleasures to appreciate if we look for them. God has given us what we need and there is much even beyond that for which we should be grateful. We must not allow ourselves to revert to the child who cried when she opened a present with a beautiful doll inside because it was not a pony. The apostle Paul faced many hardships, but he learned to be content with what he had, according to Philippians 4:11-13. Even when he suffered with a “thorn in the flesh” that he thought was slowing him down from preaching the Gospel the way he wanted to, he could use it to rely on himself less and God more (2 Cor 11-12). Your thorns can do the same for you, so perhaps we should learn not to resent and dread them. They can help us remember not to get too comfortable with this life. Every time we see our limitations we need also to see the home waiting for us where they will be taken away.

So, as sad as it would be, what does it really matter if bad things happen? I would not love you less and you would not love the Lord any less for letting it happen. As unpleasant as it is to endure trials, they do draw us closer to God, and prayer is our tool in getting there. This is casting our cares upon Him. Maybe He has a purpose for allowing problems that goes beyond our own personal strength. He might be using us to cause others to consider their spiritual state and wouldn’t that be worth it!

The more we trust God, the less we worry. May your days be filled with the desire to thank Him for blessings and “blessings in disguise” which we tend to call trials. Then you will know peace–the greatest peace of all that only God can give.

your loving friend,

Laurie Moyer

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7