Wonder vs. Worry: Part 2

Posted On August 15, 2021

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust;
I shall not be afraid.”

Psalm 56:3-4 ESV

The very first post I wrote for this blog when I started it over a year ago was titled “Wonder vs. Worry.” I wrote it in response to the scariness of COVID. I was hoping all of that would be behind us by now, but it looks like Here we go again is a more appropriate description of the current situation. First of all, let me just acknowledge along with everyone else, that yes, this really stinks! I mean, come on! Haven’t we all been through enough?

But as I often have to remind myself, I am not in charge. I wish that none of this had ever happened, but that is not for me to decide. As J. R. R. Tolkien wisely wrote, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” I began my first post with that quote, which comes from Lord of the Rings. I thought it would be appropriate to begin with it again, but this time with the movie version. Here is a clip from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring . . .

“There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you also were meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.”

Gandalf in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

We live in scary times, but if you think about it, who hasn’t? This world has been a broken, hostile, scary place ever since the first sin in the Garden of Eden. So we are not unique. Everyone who has ever lived has had to face hardships and fears tied to the world situation they were born into. We cannot decide when to be born or what the circumstances surrounding us will be. All we can decide is what to do with the time we are given. God is in control and He doesn’t make mistakes. He chose to place each one of us here at this particular time in history because He has a specific job for each of us to do. Just like Frodo, we were meant to have this life, here and now. And we can be encouraged by the thought that there are other forces at work in this world besides evil. God is still in charge, and He has a plan. We just need to trust Him and do the work He has for us to do.

That doesn’t mean we won’t still have worries and fears coming our way. But it does mean we don’t have to let those thoughts control us. In Psalm 56:3-4 (shown at the top of this post), David doesn’t say he is never afraid. He says when he is afraid, he chooses to put his trust in God. He replaces his fear with faith and his worry with wonder. God calls us to do the same.

My first “Worry vs. Wonder” post included some steps we can take to keep our anxiety under control. These come from one of my father’s old sermons: “Face the Worst. Believe the Best. Do the Most. Leave the Rest!” I won’t repeat everything I wrote before, but the following summary I included at the end of the post is still true: “I’ve found that when I face my fears, stay optimistic, do what I can, and turn the rest over to God, I can free myself to live the life He has in mind for me. For me, focusing on the wonders of God — His love, His creation, His blessings, His power — makes all the difference.” My friends, we can do this! I really believe that. God will give us the courage and strength we need if we just trust Him.

“Godly strength comes from deciding to rise above the hard and pursue the holy.”

Nicki Koziarz in Guideposts

“I believe that some obstacles . . . work out for the better because God knows that without those you wouldn’t be as strong as you are.”

Simone Biles in Guideposts

Everyone who has ever worked out at the gym knows that you have to push yourself to get stronger. Muscles that aren’t challenged will grow weak. The same is true of our faith. We must persevere through tough times in order to grow. Often, it’s not until we are made painfully aware of our helplessness that we truly learn to rely on God. That’s hard, but true. However, once we finally learn to turn to Him and trust Him with all aspects of our lives, He can do amazing things. When we shine with God’s strength and peace during hardships, others notice and are drawn to the Source of our power. This means that even if God doesn’t intervene in our circumstances, He can still show others His miraculous work in us.

“Sometimes God has to let the sun go down so that his glory can shine through our lives. The darker it gets in your situation, the brighter God in his goodness and grace can shine through you for the world to see. . . . I urge you, trust your heavenly Father. Stand still and see his strength as he fights for you. I heard a wise, older pastor say it this way: ‘Sometimes we get to see the miracle; other times we get to be the miracle.’ In other words, sometimes God’s strength is demonstrated in what he does around us — the external effects of our faith and tangible answers to our prayers. Other times his strength shines in us, enabling us to endure devastating setbacks with remarkable strength.”
~Steven Furtick, Sun Stand Still

So don’t be too tempted to wish away the hard times. God often uses them to accomplish His wonders. When we stay connected to God and let Him guide us every day, He will give us everything we need to do His work. And He may let us see — or be — a miracle!

” . . . we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Romans 3:3-5 NET

“When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified and said, ‘It’s a ghost!’ and cried out with fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them: ‘Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.'”

Matthew 14:26-27 NET

I read an interview with Max Lucado in Guideposts magazine about the times we are living in. When asked what prayer he has been praying lately, this is what he said:

“Lord, I ask, what are you doing? By permitting this pandemic, by showing us these racial issues? One morning I prayed, and I heard the word calling. I understood that to mean that God is calling people back to himself. Calling us to walk more closely with him. Calling to those who don’t know him, getting their attention. We are being reminded of how frail we are. I turn to the story about Jesus walking on the water. The whole idea of it. Coming to his disciples in the middle of the storm. He could have kept that storm from ever coming, but he let it. He let the storm come, then showed up. Jesus will show up in the midst of this storm.”
~Max Lucado in Guideposts

God is calling. He is calling His lost children home, and He is calling us closer to Him so that we can help. Without Him to hold us up, this world is a terrifying place. But in His arms, we are safe. Let’s have the courage to reach for God with all our might and let Him lift us up. Then others will see Who it is that holds us. By showing them the peace we have in our Father’s arms, we help draw them closer to Him.

“As the big waves roll toward us, God promises to do the heavy lifting. He only requires that we have the faith to wade in as deep as he leads and keep reaching up to him. . . . Grab on to God with all you’ve got. Have faith that he can lift you high above your circumstances and fears. I’ve noticed that he usually doesn’t do it until the wave is just about to wash over us. That’s what makes it faith. And that’s half the fun.”
~Steven Furtick, Sun Stand Still

When worries and doubts threatens to wash over us, let’s fight them with faith. Let’s deliberately trust God and push through the fear. When we do what He tells us to do, even when we don’t understand it, we allow Him to work through us. And then He can do amazing things! Don’t doubt it. Believe it.

“Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?'”

Matthew 14:29-31 NET

“Look among the nations, and see! Be surprised and full of wonder! For I am doing something in your days that you would not believe if you were told.”

Habakkuk 1:5 NLV

If I’ve learned anything over the past couple of years, it’s that God loves to blow our minds! He has things in store that we can’t even imagine. The Bible is full of stories of God working in surprising and wondrous ways. Our day and time is no different. God is always at work. The all-powerful Creator of the universe continues to watch over His creation. He continues to weave His will into all circumstances. He can use all things — good, bad, or ugly — to accomplish His perfect plan. So don’t give up hope. In fact, let’s do the opposite. Let’s expect to see Him do amazing things in our day. Let’s keep looking for evidence of His light in the darkness. Let’s keep listening for His voice. And let’s keep believing in the goodness of our Lord. Let’s keep the faith!

“I remember sitting at the kitchen table, watching the news and coming up with the opening lines to a song. . . . The day I wrote those words, I went for a drive. I got stuck in traffic. I was thinking of those lyrics to my new song ‘Alone With My Faith’ when I noticed the license plate of the car in front of me: FAITH 1. It took my breath away ’cause it was true. Faith won. It always does.”
~Harry Connick Jr. in Guideposts

“Goodness isn’t hard to find, especially when you’re on the lookout.”

Anna E. Rendell in Guideposts

This week’s Scripture passages remind us to be strong and trust in the Lord. He has called us to do His work by shining His light to the world. But we can’t do that if we’re overcome with worries and fears. Let’s let others see the awe and wonder that fills us when we have faith in God. Let’s show them that God is good. Let’s be a part of the work He is doing in the midst of this storm. This storm will pass, but in the meantime, we are called to persevere in faith.

” . . . don’t panic. Don’t give up. Just be patient and let God remind you he’s still in control.
It ain’t over till it’s over.”

Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

References:

• “All You Have To Decide.” YouTube, uploaded by ImmaGandalf, 27 January 2012, https://youtu.be/hdAN0o3oqB8.
• Connick, Harry, Jr. “Alone With My Faith.” Guideposts, August/September 2021, pp. 38-43.
• Furtick, Steven. Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible. Multnomah Books, 2010.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Dir. Peter Jackson. New Line Cinema, 2001.
• Lucado, Max. Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. J. Countryman, 2000.
• “Q&A: Max Lucado.” 3 Questions. Guideposts, June/July 2021, pp. 20-21.
• “The Up Side: Inspiration from Today’s Positive Thinkers.” Guideposts, August/September 2021, pp. 10-11.

Images:

• Mountain Sun featured image by Josep Monter Martinez from Pixabay
• Cave Moon image by mollyroselee from Pixabay
• Aurora Borealis image by Noel Bauza from Pixabay
• Beach Cave image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
• Sunset Tree image by Bessi from Pixabay
• Tree Reflection image by Bessi from Pixabay