Have you ever
laid in bed at night, unable to sleep because there is so much on your mind?
It’s been like that for me recently. I crawl under the covers, tired from a long
day and ready for sleep, but my mind is as active as ever. Worry creeps in as I
wonder what my Fall schedule will look like and how busy I’ll be. Will I have
time for everything I want to do? What if I wear myself down?
Yesterday as I
was looking over my schedule (since I started my college classes for the
semester), I learned that this Fall isn’t going to be as busy as I expected. The weeks when I thought I would have too much going on, I found
that those were the weeks when a certain activity stopped. I was amazed. And I've been sleeping better.
As I think about
how prone I am to worry and stress about the future (even the very near
future), Jesus’ words come to mind:
“Therefore do not be
anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Sufficient for the day is
its own trouble.” ~
Matthew 6:34
I like that. We don’t know what’s ahead, but
God does. He calls us to trust Him. In context, Jesus is teaching the people
not to be anxious about their food or clothing, for He will provide. God is the
provider and He is in control of our lives, so we can trust Him and not be
anxious.
Whatever
perplexities we are facing, we can remember that God is in control. He is at
work. He is doing all things well and working all things together for good in
our lives. Even if we can’t see around the “bend in the road”, we can walk by
faith.
“For we walk by faith, not
by sight.” ~ 2
Corinthians 5:7
In the book Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery,
the heroine (who is one my favorite storybook characters), red-headed,
imaginative Anne Shirley was planning to study at Redmond (a college). But she
realizes the need to stay home with Marilla Cuthburt, the woman who adopted
her and raised her, whose eyes are failing. When she tells Marilla about her
decision she says,
“When I left
Queens’ my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I
thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I
don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe that the best
does. I wonder how the road beyond it goes – what there is of green glory and
soft, checkered light and shadows – what new landscapes – what new beauties –
what curves and hills and valleys further on” (Page 303).
I don’t know
about you, but when there’s a bend in my road which I can’t see around, I get
worried. Unlike my concerned spirit, Anne has an
attitude of faith. She doesn’t know what’s ahead, but she trusts that there are
good things on the path.
As
Christians, we know that God has promised that
“for
those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called
according to his purpose.”
~ Romans 8:28
There may be
difficulties ahead. But God has it under control. We can go to sleep in peace
because God is holding us and our lives in His hand. Whatever you're worrying
about, whatever is bringing you stress, and whatever makes you lie awake in
bed, bring it to Jesus, walk by faith, and fall asleep.
I hope you sleep
well tonight, resting in the knowledge that God is in control.
“In peace I will both lie
down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make
me dwell in safety.”
~ Psalm 4:8
Love in Christ,
Christina
Soli Deo
Gloria – To God Alone Be the Glory!
