Trust

I am a worrier by nature. I hate it! Hate it! Hate it! I am constantly battling the creeping anxieties of the mind. I want to put to death those parts of me…and I am always in process with God in doing that.
My mind can get fixated on conversations, people’s choices, decisions I have to make, how I come across to people, finances, sharing the gospel, my own sin spiral.
I woke up this morning in that state of mind. And, I thank God that He met me once again in his faithfulness. How do I get so caught up in me that I forget his Sovereignty, His faithfulness, His power, His sufficiency? I spent some time reflecting on who He is. I read in Isaiah 55. I was reminded that His ways are so far above ours–so good–so merciful–so lovely. I benefit in my soul because He is so far above.
When I choose anxiety instead of trust, I think it is up to me to make things happen, to grow people, to convince, to discipline, to solve all the problems. Then, when I am reminded in His word of Truth, I am reminded that I am called to remain in Him–apart from Him, I can do nothing (John 15:5). I am reminded to rest in Him. I am reminded that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6). I am reminded that nothing can separate me from His love (Romans 8). I am reminded that He works all things for the good–conformity to Christ (Romans 8:28-29). I am reminded that I am called to love Him with everything and love my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22). I complicate things well by striving in me to earn something that is not mine to earn. I complicate things well by trying to convince others in my own power instead of resting on Him and His word.
In Isaiah 55:11, I am reminded of this blessed truth and the blessed character of God:

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

I am reminded that He is more faithful than I can imagine. He is more about Himself than I could ever be. I am reminded that it is not up to me to frame God’s word to be more palpatable for the hearts around me. It is not up to me to make God seem to be what He is not…to couch the presentation of who He is in comfort. Who He is in His word–who He IS will change hearts and that Truth will not come back void. He has and is doing that in me, and He is doing that in others. May I take my eyes from the anxiety of my “affairs” and place them on the magnificence, the gloriousness, the faithfulness of Father God. May I evaluate every affair, every practice in my life by His word and not human practicality or tradition. Today, I remember to praise the One, Jesus Christ, who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead. The old dead way of life, anxiety, is replaced with the freedom to rest and trust in the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ. May Truth transform my heart as those anxieties battle to creep in.