20/20 Faithfulness

Matthew 6:34 [NIV]

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own"

I am an anxious person.  I worry too much about things beyond my control and the stress I burden myself with is not healthy.  Do you ever worry about ridiculous things happening?  Do you have trouble falling asleep at night because you can't clear your mind?  Regardless of finding our church, getting baptized and becoming disciples, I still stress.  I suffer from "nearsighted faithlessness".  

2 Kings 6:15-17 [NIV]

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.  "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered.  "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see."  Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

I had a revelation this morning about my anxiety and stress filled life.  Not only do I worry about thing beyond my control or the "unknown", but I also worry about the stress already in my life.  Our finances.  Our son.  My health.  My schooling.  My job.  The list goes on.  The common saying that came to mind this morning was that "God never gives us more than we can handle".  The idea is that God is watching over us and doesn't burden us with more than He knows we can deal with.

However, I have a whole new outlook on this.  I think God gives us just a bit MORE than He knows we can handle.  For those of us who are strong in our faith, we will turn to Him in these times of worry.  When we feel like we couldn't possibly handle what He has put before us, we pray and give up our stress and worry to Him.  This 20/20 faithfulness allows His followers to then be a lamp post for everyone else who is also struggling and don't know where to turn.

So when the going gets tough, get God and get on with your life.