“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
I like to know what’s coming next, don’t you? How do you handle the unknown? Do you try to anticipate every possible outcome and strategize how to handle each scenario? Maybe you throw up your hands in hopelessness. Do you work hard to protect what you have?
There are a lot of responses we could have to an uncertain future. The future is always a question mark, but the current world situation makes it more clear than ever. How are you doing with your questions? Do you have a knot in your stomach as you try to figure things out or are you at peace with the unknown?
I have come to realize that I am a fixer and I like to plan. How do those things go together, you ask? Many times I make plans as a way to “fix” anticipated negative outcomes. In short, my plans are often an attempt to “fix” n advance. I would not have recognized that years ago, but I have learned that every one of us, including me, has a problem with control. Wasn’t that the real issue way back in the garden of Eden? “Eat the fruit, be like God, be in control!” That’s what attracted Eve and Adam. It’s the same trap you and I fall into, although we don’t always see it.
When we can’t control what we don’t know, we work on controlling what we do know. Save a much money as you can. Hoard toilet paper. Arrange the family schedule just so. Try to find out as much as possible by watching the news 24/7. You get the idea. Is there anything wrong with saving money or stocking up on supplies, making schedules or staying informed? Absolutely not. But what you and I need to evaluate is our motivation. If it is fear or control, then I am not trusting God. How can we learn to really trust God in uncertain times?
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