Has anyone ever told you, “Don’t worry about it”?
Sometimes that’s hard to swallow when the person dispensing such advice has little influence in your present circumstances. How can they tell me not to worry about it? It’s not like they’re paying my mortgage!
But when Jesus says it, I have to believe it’s cause He’s up to something… in a good way. (“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…” Matthew 6:25a.)
Typically I tend to waffle somewhere between indifference and anxiety. I believe that middle ground is labeled Strategy & Control.
This morning I was reading in Romans, and I came across a passage I’ve read a hundred times.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” ~Romans 12:9-13
It’s easy to rattle off this list that’s been known as “marks of a true Christian.” But in all the rattling, I’ve flat out missed something wedged there in the middle.
Rejoice. In. Hope.
Rejoice. Celebrate. Delight in. Look forward to.
In.
Hope. Belief in something good that is yet to come. Faith in His promises to love. Faith in His promises to remain the same. Faith in a Father who knit me together in my mother’s womb. Belief that I can trust the One who is sustaining my every breath for a reason.
Rejoice in hope?
Yes.
Celebrate the unknown, because He has already made Himself known! And His intentions are good.
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~Jeremiah 29:11
What amazes me about that verse from Jeremiah is that God spoke that promise to His people WHILE they were in captivity, a captivity that He said would last 70 years! and yet, that “captivity” (aka “trial in life”) would end with blessings that would prosper them and give them hope … and a future.
Doesn’t matter what His plans are (captivity, fibromyalgia, cancer, child with down syndrome …) … they are plans that will bless us.
I have been having the worst end of world dreams this week. I thought it was from watching the news…
I am very blessed to read square piece today and find your words and the included scripture. My grandmother always tells me to worry about nothing and pray about everything!
I am so thankful to have you, I appreciate your ability to teach and point out things to me in scripture I would miss otherwise.
I’m going to post Hope on my fb status today to remind me of this blog xoxo
I needed to read this verse today. It seems I’ve taken a hit of some sort daily since Feb. 25 from my father’s wife, now widow, and I know I’ll probably take more. I worry and cry and worry and cry some more daily, and it’s all out of my control. Thank you.
My personal problems are so plebian, I would hesitate to ask the Lord to help. Being without major obstacles is a blessing in itself.
I’ve often felt the same way, but I just try to think about it from a father/daughter perspective. Don’t parents just want to know about what’s on their kids’ hearts?
I love this post Suzy!!! Thank you so much for writing it. I needed to hear it!!!