“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” (Matt. 6:27)
I like this verse because when our Lord spoke it, He made it seem as if it should be a simple thing to do, and yet not one of us has ever been able to do it. We are indeed wonderfully and fearfully created, but we are in this and other regards extremely limited.
I have been told that certain ulcers can happen in a person who continuously worries, mere thoughts can cause disruptive things to happen within our physical bodies, but I have never heard of anyone who could make those ulcers go away by happy thoughts.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2nd Cor. 10:5)
But doing as that verse states is not going to keep you happy, it is not going to keep the problems of this world at bay, trials, tribulations, persecutions, suffering, pain and loss will happen to you. It is how you approach them after the initial occurrence that sets us apart from the rest of the world.
I personally believe, and I think the Scriptures will verify this, that worrying over a long period of time is a great affront, and a sin, before the Almighty. It reveals doubt as to His provision and care for us, it shows we do not trust His will for us in this life. I do not say that we cannot question Him, even Job said that he would maintain his way before Him. But there is a point where our questioning can become disrespectful if we are not careful in remembering just who it is that we are talking to.
Remember, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:22)
There are those that might say in those seasons, “We accept the will of the Lord in our lives, but we do not have to like them.” And Hebrews 12:11 may in a way back up those words.
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
But we are also told, perhaps even commanded to “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:12)
The world exclaims, “I could complain, but no one would listen.”
Unless you have brought any of these sorts of trials upon yourself by foolishness, it is your Father in heaven that has brought them upon you, and if you believe that you can find a viable reason why He should not have, then you are mistaken.
When Job thought he knew better than God, and that whirlwind began to approach, I envision those present with him running and hiding. Job had no place to hide. What do you think, do you believe that if Job would have listened to his wife that he would have died?
“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” (Job 2:9)
Our final great escape, so to speak, from all the cares and woes of this life.
I will ask a question of those of you that fully understand the context of this short letter, that are or have experienced suffering, in any or many forms. Have you been drawn closer to the Lord because of them? Has your trust, your faith, your confidence in His will for your life become unquestionable? Will you die as sanctified as He wanted you to be? Will you, without a hint of pride, be able to say, “I have fought a good fight?”
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1st Cor. 15:53)
Pain here, not there. Suffering in patient anticipation of the promises for His glory here, not there.
The days can drag on as if in thick molasses at times, but joy comes in the morning. You cannot do this without Him, but He will walk with you through it, no matter what it is. There will be moments of peace that pass all understanding in the midst of those trials, and one day a peace that will never leave you.
