by John P. Toomey
Have you ever been up all night worried sick about how the bills are going to get paid? Have you ever sat in the bed pretending to be sleeping when you are really trying to figure out how to get out of a mess? I admit, I have done all of those things and much more. However, when we worry, we are making ourselves our own god. We are telling God that we can take care of everything and do not need His help. We will always be concerned at some level, that is just in our human nature. What I am talking about is when we allow it to consume our thoughts, our actions and our lives. Ever wanted to know what God really wants from you? Here are some thoughts from the Bible!
Text: Matthew 6:25-34 KJV
God is concerned about our TRUST LEVEL
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
God’s designs are not to deprive us of our treasure, but to direct us in the choice of it.
The Bible says where our treasure is, there are heart also is. You can tell what matters to someone by taking a look at their checkbook and or bank account statement. We spend our time and money on the things that matter to us the most.
Our fallen human nature causes us to want to trust only in ourselves. Our sin nature causes us to want to know everything that is going to happen and when. Worry is a bi product of this sin nature and stress is it’s child.
Perhaps God just wants us to trust only in Him?
Perhaps God just wants us to stop trusting in ourselves. When we trust in ourselves, we are making ourselves our own god.
Trust is a choice, not an emotion.
Trust will have consistences just like any other choice
God is concerned about our COMFORT LEVEL
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Why are we so uncomfortable with the unknown?
Why must we know what is going to happen?
Perhaps our comfort level is tied to our devotion level. How is it mission
God is concerned about our DEVOTIONAL LEVEL
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Devotion to God just like in marriage, is work.
Can we be devoted to our spouse if we never spend time with them?
Can we be devoted to our spouse if we never serve them?
Devotion to God just like in marriage, is a choice.
Can we be devoted to our spouse if we never made a quality decision to do so?
Can we be devoted to our spouse if we keep changing our mind if we want them?
Devotion to God just like in marriage, is not a emotion.
(We can fall out of love, but God can not)
In marriage, you fight, fuss, make up, and do it all over again. It is okay to get angry, get mad, to blow your stack. It is not realistic to think you are not going to. The key is not staying angry or bitter.
by John P. Toomey
http://www.radicalfaithandhope.com
Article submitted to Independentbaptist.com