I have recently been through some of the darkest days of my life during the passing of Dad. It is not that I loved him more than Mom, but it seems to me that the fact they are both not answering their phone compounds the matter. As a process in my journey, I developed this message that I preached at the Chapel. I know that this is not my “normal pattern” – I generally write especially for the paper, not just giving you things I have already developed for another venue. But, please know that I am keenly aware that my “pattern” is not presently normal – at least I trust that it is not!
Former Wyoming Governor, Milward Simpson, tells of flying in a plane that developed problems. When the pilot nervously declared they were going to attempt an unscheduled emergency landing, the Governor gently took the hand of his wife. Together they offered this simple statement of faith that they had often shared: “The light of God surrounds us. The love of God enfolds us. The power of God protects us. And the presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God is.”
The Governor and his wife knew the mere asserting of this affirmation would not make everything turn out right. Rather, repeating those sentences was their declaration of trust and confidence in God, because they knew whether they lived or died, ultimately, they were still in God’s care.
The reason Scripture exhorts us to trust is because it is trust in God which shrinks fear, displaces panic, offsets distress, reduces anxiety, and expels worry. Yet, there are many times when life events conspire together to choke out trust. In those times, it is important for us to find ways of cultivating trust in God. Here are four (4) sentences that will heighten our confidence in God, and help us replace worry with trust:
“When We Are Unable, God Is Able!”
A recent incident was reported to our congregation. A family, who had been estranged from their son, knew that he was to be graduated from Military Basic Training in another state. Wanting to go, for all the right reasons, but knowing that their finances were not sufficient, they prayed. The day before they should be departing for this event found them without the needed money, but they packed and prepared to go anyway. That very evening, a man knocked on their door and handed them a paper bag. They did not know the man, but when they opened the sack, $3,000.00 was discovered inside. God came through, yes at the last minute, but He was not late!
Those words are a clear declaration that God is capable of anything, is able to meet all of our needs, and is willing to do so! Our God is able to give us strength for our weakness, grace for our trials, peace for our anxiety, hope for our despair, light for our darkness, direction for our drifting, plenty for our poverty, and healing for our sickness!
“When We Are Unfaithful, God Is Faithful!”
Trust is not merely you holding on to God; it is God holding on to you! William Cowper, the 18th Century poet and hymn writer, struggled with depression all of his life. During one especially hard period, he became desperate and despondent. He decided to end his life by swallowing poison – that attempt at suicide failed. He hired a carriage and tried to hurl himself off the London Bridge, but was restrained. The next morning, he threw his body on a sharp knife, but only broke the blade. He tried to hang himself, but was found and taken down unconscious. Sometime later, he began to read the Bible. Only then did he find peace for his tormented spirit. Reflecting on his life, Cowper wrote: “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storms. Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill, He treasures up His bright design and works His sovereign will.”
“When We Feel Insufficient, God Is Sufficient!”
God’s resources are readily available and endless. When our need is highest, God is closest. It may not always feel that way, but if we can override our feelings and pause to ask for calm and guidance, God will come through for us.
Once when the lights went out as Thomas Butts was just starting his act with the tigers and lions in a cage, many were concerned that in the darkness, the animals might kill him. Reporters knew that while he was in darkness, the animals could not see him. He was asked how he managed to remain alive. He said, “I realized the animals did not know I could not see them, so I just cracked my whip and shouted commands.” Often, even in our darkest hours, we need to just go ahead and “crack our whips and shout out commands” at that which would cause us harm!
“When We Are Filled With Fear, God Is Always Near!”
Fear is the enemy of faith. Fear exaggerates our troubles, magnifies our doubts, amplifies our anxieties, and erodes our confidence. THE CURE TO FEAR IS ALWAYS FAITH!
In 1990, James Dobson, of Focus on the Family, suffered a heart attack while playing basketball. The initial report was that there was extensive heart damage. Dobson wrote, “That is when I uttered a brief prayer, ‘Lord, you know where I am right now. And You know that I am upset and very lonely. Would You please send someone who can help me?’”
A few minutes later, Pastor Jack Hayford walked into his hospital room. Dobson asked Jack, “Why did you take the time to come see me today?” Dobson did not tell Pastor Hayford about his prayer. Pastor Hayford said, “Because the Lord told me you were lonely.”
That is the kind of God we serve. He lovingly sends people to us even before we ask for His help!
Conc: The more we learn to trust in God, the more that trust grows in us. The more we depend on God, the more dependable we find Him. Through trusting God, we find our worry, anxiety, fear, and despair shrinking and disappearing. Let’s replace our worry with trust!
