While perusing old photos, I came across this one, taken when our middle granddaughter was a toddler.
E. loved to be buried under those pillows, then explode out of them like a jack-in-the-box. She’d stand tall with arms stretched toward the ceiling, and look up at me with triumph—all while giggling with delight.
It occurred to me: what if all those pillows represented our fears about the coronavirus? Our worries for family and friends? Our anxiety about losing income? Our uncertainty of how long self-isolation might continue? Our apprehensions about the economy and the added debt we’re accruing?
Altogether these concerns may appear to be a heavy, insurmountable burden. But just like E. under her pillows, we can cast off our anxiety, stand tall, and look up in triumph.
How?
We can cast off worry with prayer and gratitude.
When the realization dawns that we’re buried in worry, our best tactic is to follow Paul’s instructions in Philippians 4:6-7. You’re probably familiar with these verses already. Now might be a good time for us to post them around the house–even memorize them:
Did you notice the word thanksgiving sandwiched in the middle there? Now why would God consider that important?
Because gratitude expresses trust in him. It’s an affirmation that God is always at work, bringing hope out of despair, joy out of sadness, and peace out of turmoil (1).
It’s not that gratitude takes away our difficulties, but it does transform us for the better in the midst of them (2).
We can stand tall in Christ’s strength.
Let’s admit it. We’re weak. But the omnipotent One of the universe is our Heavenly Father. And what has he promised? First, he never assigns an overload, and second, his strength equips us for all circumstances (3).
With such firm promises as those to bolster our confidence, we do possess the wherewithal to stand tall.
We can look up in faith.
Way up–to Jesus. And where does he sit? In the highest place, at the right hand of God (4).
He is:
- Shepherd and Overseer of our souls (1 Peter 2:25)
- Head over every power and authority (Colossians 2:10)
- Ruler over all (Colossians 1:17)
Our circumstances can change overnight. One day we’re free to come and go as we please; the next day we’re self-isolating except to pick up necessities or handle emergencies.
But Jesus is our never-changing Hope. If we habitually make him our focal point, we’ll never walk in the darkness of ignorance and fear (5).
“Worry looks around but faith looks up.”
—Barbara Johnson (6)
Years ago, I heard Dr. Howard Hendricks (7) tell about this exchange:
He asked one of his students how he was doing, and the young man replied, “Well, under the circumstances, I suppose I’m doing alright.”
Dr. Hendrick’s response must have caught the student off-guard.
“Under the circumstances? What are you doing under there?”
Those words have stayed with me through the decades, reminding me that under the circumstances—buried beneath fear and apprehension—is not where I belong, as a believer in Jesus, and it’s not where I want to live either. I’m guessing you feel the same.
Let’s determine to put our energy into casting off our burdens with prayer and gratitude, standing tall in Christ’s strength, and looking up consistently with faith.
And then let’s add a flourish of joy—just like E. with her squeals and giggles as the pillows tumbled.
* * * * * * * * * *
I praise you, O God, for the joy of your comforting presence, your residing power enabling us to persevere, your hope-filled promises, and the joy that results from contemplating your magnificence. Thank you for providing the way to triumph through our Savior and your Son, Jesus. AMEN.
(Psalm 16:11; James 1:2-3; Psalm 119:162;
Psalm 92:4; Psalm 126:3, 1 Corinthians 15:57)
Notes:
- John 15:7; Psalm 42:11; Psalm 126:5; 2 Thessalonians 3:16
- David Vryhof, https://www.ssje.org/monasticwisdom/gratitude/
- Psalm 55:22; 1 John 5:5; Philippians 4:13
- Philippians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3
- Hebrews 12:2; John 8:12
- Joyful Journey Daybreak, Perpetual Calendar, May 20
- Professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, author and speaker (1924-2013)
Art & photo credits: Nancy Ruegg; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.uihere.com.
From the Inside Out 