Day 309: Don't Anticipate, Live

2 Kings 20:1-6

About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the Lord says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.” 2 When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly. 4 But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the Lord: 5 “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the Lord. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own honor and for the sake of my servant David.’”

When I first read this story I was astounded, by the fact that God truly hears and honors the prayers of His people. I was also taken by Hezekiah's faith in God. But one thing I’d like to point out is that Hezekiah is one of the only people who had an idea of exactly when he was going to die. God told Hezekiah that He will add fifteen years to his life. Meaning that Hezekiah would die in fifteen years. Do you think he sat waiting for that day, he was going to die. Anticipating how he would die or having anxiety about not having more time? I do not think he did, while he loved his life I believe that he was in full knowledge that he would spend eternity with the Lord when his time here on earth was up.

Life is about so much more than living as long as possible it’s about living while we have it. Most of us have no clue of what is going to happen but we stress ourselves out worried about what could happen. Hezekiah knew what was going to happen and yet I’m sure that didn’t stop him from living His life that God had blessed him with. What a waste of time it would have been if Hezekiah sat anticipating what will happen after God has just given Him fifteen more years to live. What I’m getting at here is, we as people spend far too much time anticipating, and worrying, allowing our anxieties to stop us from living the life God has destined for us.  We stand there afraid to take a step because we don’t know what’s going to happen. We want to be in the know of everything before we do anything, but where is our faith. Where is the faith in God who knows everything so we don’t need all the info. God is greater and God is bigger. We cannot allow our fear of not being in control paralyze us. Living our lives this way is a waste of time. The beauty of living for God is that we don’t know what is going to happen we just have faith in whatever God is doing and wherever He is leading us. How many times have we professed our faith in God and asked Him to let His will be done in our lives yet we are afraid to take a step because we are not sure where our foot will land. When we truly have faith in God we will know and understand that He will not lead us anywhere that will harm us. We know that He will guide us to victory. We cannot sit trying to figure out what will happen, because while we’re doing that life is happening and passing us by. We’ve all sat at moments and watched life pass us by because we were afraid of what was going to happen next. If anything I know, the best moments in life are the spontaneous moments. The moments we just do something. God’s plan for us us very spontaneous, many things we never see coming but in the end we will understand why stepping out on faith is so important.

All this to say, live your life having faith in God, Walking every moment with Him, and not waiting until we know what is going to happen before we take a step. God reveals the plan as we go, so that way we cannot pick and choose and anticipate what is to come. Live life like we don't know what is going to happen because we don't and that's the beauty of it. Life is spontaneous, life is great but God is greater.

Reflection

1. How do you relate to what we discussed today?
2. Have you found yourself anticipating life?
3. How has this anticipation strained your relationship with God?

Prayer Time

Allow you answers to the above questions guide your prayer today. Have a conversation with God about what we discussed today. Pour your heart out to the Lord.

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening! Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 310!

Day 270: Why Worry?

Philippians 4:6-7

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.

Let’s talk about worrying.  This is all too familiar to many of us. Why do we worry so much? There’s so much stuff for us to be anxious about, so much to be worried about. So many things to get us in a frenzy. Especially in our twenties, we’re graduating from college and figuring out what we’re going to do with the rest of our lives. We’re still figuring out who we are, and we’re constantly changing. Or maybe we’re making life changing decisions, coming into life changing responsibilities. Things are constantly changing around us. We’re just trying to stay afloat (life is so much more than just staying afloat, but that’s another topic for another day). We’re trying to live a normal life, working, going to school, paying bills, keeping in contact with family and friends, marriages, kids, and for those of us who are single, trying to have some type of love life. Maybe we’re trying to find the one (they’re always at church or coffee shops lol). On a serious note, there is so much for us to be worried about, so much for us to be anxious about, and losing our minds about. Many of us find ourselves in these places. But the passage of above tells us not to worry about anything but pray about everything. Really? All of my problems can be solved with prayer? Yes they can! It’s that simple, I’m not sure why we as humans like to complicate things (But that’s also another subject for another day). The next line goes on to say, ‘tell God what you need’. Remember when Jesus came and said, come to Him so He can give us rest?

Matthew 11:28

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

He doesn’t want us carrying those worries around. It’s a heavy burden, He says let me give you rest, put that burden down and take mine, it’s light. When Jesus was nailed to the cross He took all of our burden with Him. We don’t have to carry them.  Pray about it and leave it with Him, trust me He can handle it better than we can. We worry so much and that often takes the place of prayer in our lives. But God is like, ‘no, tell me what you need. I got you. Don’t worry about it, talk to me about it and let me handle it.’ Instead of worrying, I’ve learned to thank God in advance, thanking Him for the things that He has done and the things He is going to. Putting all my faith in Him, because He sees far beyond what my eyes could ever see or imagine.

Sometimes we’re focused on what’s right in front of us that we kind of forget who God is.  We have to sometimes look at the grand scheme of things, the bigger picture.  We begin to worry because we cannot see past our situation, that thing staring us right in the face. But the thing about faith is that is gives us the opportunity to see through the situation and see God.  We get so caught up in what’s in front of us that we cannot see beyond that to see that God has it all under control.  I think of it this way, why worry when God already has it figured out. I can worry about what I’m going to do with my life, but I know that God already has a wonderful plan for me, and even though I don’t know what that plan is, I’m going to trust Him to lead me. I may not know exactly where I’m going but I know that where I am isn’t the end. I know He has gotten me thus far, so I’m going to continue to put my faith in Him. We worry when things don’t go as planned. Even in those moments we must realize that God is moving. This is why we must keep a loose grip on our plans, because even in our greatest dreams, God is always doing something greater and bigger. If we truly believe that God’s plan is far greater than ours, why are we worrying about the little things that we think we have control over? Why worry when God does far beyond what we can ever think, ask, or imagine? I have come to the conclusion that with this understanding I have nothing to worry about, God has already gotten it figured out and it took me a while to finally get it.

There’s something about being worry free that makes life so much easier. We enjoy life more when we’re not in a constant state of anxiety and worry. It’s a beautiful feeling. We see the beauty of life when we begin to understand that God is completely in control. He has it all figured out and He’s guided us through it all. There’s comfort and peace in that.  We may not know or understand what God is doing in that moment, but there is beauty in it all, even in the unknown. The mystery of it all keeps us following Him. Just as the scripture says, “...Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”

Well how do i just pray and not worry? Faith. Take a chance on God, leap and the net will appear. All it takes is a little faith to step out. Just take a chance and I promise He won’t let you down. Our faith cannot grow if it’s not tested, Our faith is tested most when we are going through hell on earth. It’s the moments when we feel like there’s no reason to pray or trust God. In those moment just trust Him, give Him a chance, jump, He will catch you. Trust me, He won’t let you fall.  

All this to say, have faith in God. Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything.

Reflection

1. Are you a worrier?
2. Do you sometimes focus on the situation at hand as opposed to God’s plan?
3. Are you willing to take a chance on Him?

Prayer Time

Allow your answers to the above questions guide your prayer. Talk to God about what we discussed today. Have a honest conversation with Him. Lay down all your worries at His feet and leave them there. Take a chance on God today.

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening! Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for day 271!