O Come All Ye Unfaithful
song by Sovereign Grace Music

O come, all you unfaithful
Come, weak and unstable
Come, know you are not alone
O come, barren and waiting ones
Weary of praying, come
See what your God has done

Hear the song at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-QHbpYjuIg

“Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
~ Matthew 10:29-32 Christian Standard Bible

I saw this quote last week and it struck me as a powerful (albeit less than traditional) reason to be thankful. “God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot #HappyThanksgiving!

“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.”
~ Psalm 37:8 (New King James Version)

“When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.”

Practical advice, indeed, although the real-life applications aren’t always obvious. And the proverbial hole-digging is likely to continue if I fail to make the connection: “Oh no! My actions are making things worse!”

Sometimes I need help making that connection, as with a recent pattern of worrying. In my exasperation over a troubling situation, I cycle through the details in my head in a near-constant loop, struggling for a solution. Other times, caught up in emotion, I feel completely overwhelmed, powerless to stem the tide of anxious thoughts.

More and more, whatever form my worry is taking, the above Bible verse comes to mind, letting me know what the outcome of continuing on this anxious path will be: only harm. Harm. Only! Even in a highly emotional state, I recognize the value in avoiding that, and so I know I must make an effort to “stop digging.” For me, that often includes the following steps:

* TIME OUT. Recognizing that my anxiety does absolutely nothing to solve the problem, carve out a few minutes in which I refuse to worry. Look away; count a single blessing and let that be my world for a little while.

* MAKE ROOM FOR MAYBE. Maybe it will all go as I fear. But maybe it won’t. Very often, this simple acknowledgement sparks hope that is strengthened as I recall multiple occasions in which I fearfully expected a disaster that never developed.

* PRAY. Accept God’s invitation to cast my cares on Him. Tell Him my fears and trust His promise to help, in His time and His way.

* FEED MY UPLOOK. God’s good answer to my prayer might include a season of imperceptibly slow change. While I’m waiting to see fruits of my faith, my unfocused thoughts can again drift toward worry; Biblical truths encourage an upward focus, especially when presented in the form of music.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7

The writers of scripture weren’t naïve about the human condition. Nor were they unaware or uncaring about injustice, political instability, disease, or suffering. And yet, here are some of the takeaways.

• We don’t put gratitude on a backburner because of our anxieties. Instead, we actually replace anxiety with thanksgiving.
• We can be thankful in spite of the “news” that’s scrolling on a billion screens. Because that news doesn’t tell the whole story, and we know it. But we can share it!

Read the full article at the source:
https://www.medishare.com/blog/thanksgiving-the-thing-you-cant-take-too-far

Then David said, “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and may the LORD be with you.”
~ 1 Samuel 17:37 Christian Standard Bible

As I’m walking through trying times, I have a tendency to become preoccupied with the details of my circumstances.

I must be hoping that such scrutiny will eventually make it all make sense. Instead, from previous ponderings, I should know to expect more anxiety and frustration as overthinking can magnify problems to larger-than-life proportions.

I recently heard a pastor say, “It’s not the specifics of the pain: it’s the purpose of the pain.”(**) David certainly exemplifies that in the verse above. When he recounts his experience, his focal point is what God did — not David’s emotions, David’s efforts, etc.

And since David chose an upward perspective, that pain did serve its purpose. David received a personal view of God that indelibly strengthened his faith. He drew on that example of God’s power and goodness to him when he faced greater challenges later in his life.

A few years ago, my reply to that might’ve been, “Well, sure! It was easy for David!” But now, no, I can’t hide behind that excuse. It’s not easy for anyone. But it is do-able. And, from the glimpses I’ve been seeing, God’s good purpose will be worth it.

(**) Lindsay Lane pastor, 8/23/2020 Facebook live service
https://www.facebook.com/lindsaylanebaptistchurch/

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
~ Hebrews 10:35-36

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.“
~ 1 Peter 5:6-7

Hear also:
“Cast My Cares” by Finding Favour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKuAMmTqUbs

See also:
5 Ways to Cast Your Cares on God
https://www.mylifetree.com/5-ways-to-cast-cares-on-god/

“Casting is an intentional act to relocate an object. Let this ‘throwing’ be your first response to bad news. As you sense anxiety welling up inside you, cast it in the direction of Christ. Do so specifically and immediately.”
~ Max Lucado @MaxLucado
https://twitter.com/MaxLucado

“Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.”
~ Isaiah 40:31 New American Standard Bible

According to one modern-day proverb, when we pray for patience, although we tend to expect an instantaneous transformation in which our impatience is completely removed, God responds by providing opportunities to put patience into practice.

I’m starting to suspect that it’s a similar process with learning to trust God. The answer to my heart’s desire for a stronger faith may include situations that can give my faith muscles a workout.

Lately, for me, those situations often take the form of a sudden change that initially sparks a rush of anxious thoughts. I have to push past my emotions and refocus, grab onto faith and let go of fear, as I wait expectantly to see the good way God is going to work in this.

And in those small steps, my faith is made a little firmer.

“Suffering provides the gym equipment on which my faith can be exercised.”
~ Joni Eareckson Tada

SEE ALSO
https://rainshine.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/find-new-strength/

HEAR ALSO: “Truth I’m Standing On” by Leanna Crawford
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQq1zEBk41E

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”
~ Galatians 5:13

“Freedom is liberty within bounds: liberty to obey holy laws, liberty to keep the commandments of Christ, to serve mankind, to develop to the full all the latent possibilities within our redeemed natures. True Christian liberty never sets us free to indulge our lusts or to follow our fallen impulses.”
~ A. W. Tozer

Read the full article at the source:
https://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer?id=1258

More quotes about freedom:
https://rainshine.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/quotes-about-freedom-2/

“In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.”
~ Psalm 86:7 English Standard Version

“Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”
~ Psalm 25:5 English Standard Version

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
~ Lamentations 3:22-23 English Standard Version

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
~ Psalm 118:24 English Standard Version