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If you worry too much like me, then you know how crippling that can be to your well-being and happiness. And, even though I’m fully aware of Jesus telling me not to worry, as taught in Luke 12:25: “Who of you by worrying can add a single day to your life?” (NIV) I do it anyway. It’s hard not to fret over life’s challenges and concerns, and speaking for myself, I need to learn to trust God more and myself less. I see you nodding your head!
A few months ago, the house next door went up for sale. It sat vacant for quite some time, and as snoopy neighbors, my wife and I nervously sleuthed at our front window as we watched people come and go during weekly open houses. And, because some of the house hunters we observed appeared to be, how shall I say, troublesome—we began to worry despite the Bible telling us not to.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6 NIV)
And so, we chose to pray. “Please, Lord, could you send us a nice family or even an older couple like ourselves, even though we aren’t that old? Even better, a Christian family?
Another month drifted by, and the house remained vacant. Sharing a large front lawn, I kept mowing and trimming both my side and the side belonging to our future neighbors. Then one day, out of the blue, the house appeared to be occupied. We noticed two young African girls playing outside on a daily basis. We waved, and they waved. When we finally got to meet the whole family, our hearts rejoiced as we discovered they were, in fact, believers in Jesus!
This beautiful family was from Africa, and their harrowing journey to Canada is worth a novel in and of itself. The father, as he told us, was shot eight times trying to flee Egypt with his family, no less on foot. His survival is a miracle, and, as we talked to them on our freshly cut front lawn, we talked about Jesus and how, now more than ever, it seems his return is imminent. My wife and I also discovered that our new next-door residents had also prayed for good neighbors in their new home—Christian neighbors!
So, here’s to say that my wife and I stewed and window peaked for nothing, and all because we chose to worry instead of trusting God. I confess that even with this incredible answer to prayer, I’ve still got things that I’m worrying about. As human beings, we seem pre-wired to worry. But, despite my apparent lack of faith, I’m going to try to leave more things in God’s capable hands.
Adding to Philippians 4:6, verse 7 goes on to say this: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
In a nutshell, my friend, let’s vow to worry less and pray more. Trusting God equates to peace, and for me, that’s exactly how I want to live. Care to join me?
Paul Smyth
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