God's Got This

We live in a fast-paced, high output society.  Our lifestyles place a gaggle of demands on our time, energy and resources.  We dance a carefully choreographed routine that allows us to navigate the minefield that each day presents us with.  These demands can be troubling, stressful, and cause us much anxiety.  

These anxious feelings are further exacerbated when times of trouble strike.  When we are hit with unexpected expenses, higher demands in the workplace, or domestic stress, it tends to send our carefully balanced routines into a tailspin.  Oftentimes, those extra burdens require more strength than we have left to give once the day to day matters are taken care of. 

We ask ourselves where the extra money is going to come from.  How will I get all of this accomplished?  What can I do to make this right?  I have found through countless trials and troubles that only one answer is worth focusing on; God’s got this. 

I am by no means a prosperity heretic or one who thinks that God will simply take away all of your problems.  In fact, Jesus says that there will be problems in this life.

“"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). 

These words were delivered to the disciples just before Jesus was arrested in the garden.  Imagine that!  Jesus—who knew the torture, pain, and suffering that lay ahead for Him, who knew the agony that awaited Him as He would hang on a cross, bleeding out and suffocating under the weight of His own body—tells His disciples to “have peace” and “take heart” even though they will have troubles because He has “overcome the world.”  He did not say “I will overcome the world,” but “I have overcome.”  It was already done!  Even though the crucifixion and resurrection had yet to happen, Jesus boldly states that He has already accomplished the goal of overcoming the world.  He knew it was God’s will and that nothing could stop it.  Therefore, He could speak confidently of it.   

We can be confident in the knowledge that even when troubles hit hard, God hits even harder.  Instead of asking God why we are going through something, perhaps we really need to ask what it is that He is preparing us for.

Jesus tells us not to worry about the things of this world, but to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33a).  This is not a call to be irresponsible or aloof of the future, but a call to rely on God and be faithful that His providence and will are going to prevail in our lives. 

Paul writes, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship” (Romans 8:15).  In another letter he writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).  Our anxieties are not the product of faith, but of fear.  We who believe on the name of the Lord are children of the one, true, almighty, living God who loves us and cares for our well-being. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).

We live in a broken world that continues to revolt against God.  The fact that any good can come of suffering is, in itself, evidence of God’s love and patience.  He cares for you.  He cares for us all.  To those that will trust in Him and be faithful, He will do the same in return.  In all you do, glorify Him.  Trust in Him.  Have faith in Him.  Don’t worry.  God’s got this!