Rose-colored Glasses?
Theme of the Week: Walk Away from Worry
Friday, October 24, 2008
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many troubles and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Bonus Reading: Isaiah 43:1-4
Some people will tell you that the best way to overcome worry is to put it out of your mind. "Just don't think about it," they'll say. But you can't do that for long. The best way to overcome worry is to face the truth: You'll have trouble in the world, but God will enable you to get through it.
Paul wrote from a prison cell, "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need" (Philippians 4:12-13).
The providence of God isn't shallow. Jesus didn't say, "Nothing bad is ever going to happen to you; everything is going to be fine, so quit worrying."
If you think nothing really bad will happen to you, your peace is unrealistic and temporary. You're going to be devastated when hard times hit—and they will hit.
God's providence doesn't mean nothing bad will happen to you, but it does mean that God will reinforce and strengthen you through whatever tragedy you face.
—Bob Russell in Jesus, Lord of Your Personality
My Response: A threat I need to pray for the strength to face is ____.
Thought to Apply: The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble. —Tom Watson (founder of IBM)
Adapted from Jesus, Lord of Your Personality (Howard, 2002) by permission.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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You've told me, God, to give You my worries because You care about me. Help me hand them over.
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