THINK ABOUT IT 6-30-22

It’s amazing how often we say something wise and then fail to practice it ourselves. For example, just about everyone has said, “Don’t worry”. But even as they are speaking they are worrying about something. Why? We read God’s promises and then treat them as though they aren’t true. Why?

As Christians, especially pastors, we want to be thought of as people of faith. Sometimes we even catch ourselves boasting about our faith even though deep within we know we’re not truly trusting God. Then we treat our doubt as though it isn’t dangerous. Rather than dealing with our doubt we try to cover it up, or we fall apart altogether, like we are in an impossible situation. Why?

We worry because we’re afraid that things won’t turn out the way we want them to. It’s as though we are saying, “I can’t be happy unless everything goes the way I want them to go. In other words – if I don’t get my way I’m going to worry, whine, and wilt. Why?

I believe we can get to the root of the problem when we read what is called “The Lord’s prayer” in Matt. 6:9-13. The first petition says, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven“.( vs. 9). I’ve often said this is the most difficult prayer of all. Let’s face it, God’s will is often the opposite of what we desire.

After preaching about the danger of doubt Sunday morning, and giving you the advice “Don’t doubt” I found myself being put to the test and failing before the day was over. Then on Tuesday I failed even worse when I learned that Bro. Kenneth had COVID. Having been close to him on Sunday you can probably guess what happened next. Since Bev and I both had nearly died from it, I started worrying “What if I get it and transmit it to her?” I tried to put on a brave face, as though I wasn’t worried, and I said “I’m believing God will protect us”. At the same time, even as I prayed, I kept worrying about the matter.

Being your pastor I’ve always wanted to be seen as being faithful and a man of faith, but I was plagued with doubts. I kept thinking “What if?” But this morning everything changed.

When I got out of bed I started reading the Bible and all the while I was reading I kept thinking about those words ‘thy will be done“. There is no telling how many times I have prayed that prayer over the last 55 years. But never have I been so powerfully affected as I was this morning. I started writing exactly what you’re reading.