Give It to God

My mother worked in a Paper Mill. Some people call them factories; I grew up calling it the Plant.

She worked in the same Plant for thirty-eight years. In and out the same doors and toting the same metal lunch box and thermos (which I still have). She did not make a good salary. In fact, we struggled financially, but what it did give her was a Pension Plan that, with Social Security, will provide for her til she dies.

Today, most of us have 401k Plans. Most of us wonder if we have enough, or if we will out live our money. It is a fear that consumes many Americans. I just this month increased a Life Insurance Policy to ensure that I will leave something to our children, for I believe Wanda and I will indeed outlive our money. A very sad prospect.

How many worries, fears, dreads, doubts, or just plain thoughts consume you daily?

Speaking of our children, by the way, how old does a child have to be before a parent stops worrying about them? Apparently my children have not reached that age yet. I want to get back to doing a weekly blog that might serve as a devotional. I might even attempt a podcast. Before I start any of that, or as we start, I might say I wanted it to blend in with my thoughts from the last several Sundays. Here it is, you ready?

We need God!

I know, right, you have heard it from VBS to Sunday School to last Sunday's service. Can't the preacher give us something more? Well, I hope I do, but that simple principle is the foundation of our religion, our faith, our salvation, our relationship to God. It is everything because He is everything. We do not make Him king. He is King. What we are to do is crown Him King of our life. Is He King over your life? If so, why worry? From our future to our parent's future to our kid's future, we are always planning and preparing. From the weather to politics, we are always complaining. From Christmas to summer vacation, we are always dreaming. Do we ever relax? Do we ever rest?

Isaiah 30:15 says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it."

As we begin this fall semester and new series of blogs, etc., I ask you this:
Are you fully trusting God?
I submit the reason so many people struggle with the pressures of life is because we lack trust in God. Worry is a choice, just as trusting God is a choice. You cannot do both at the same time. It is amazing how fears, doubts, worries, and dread disappear when we surrender to God.

The burdens of this life are just too much, but our God is more than enough to see us overcome and conquer. Anxiety is usually something the world, the flesh, or the devil has implanted in your life to intimidate you, taunt you into attempting to solve it on your own or drown under its weight. Simply, we cannot focus on God and on our trouble at the same time. The devil wants to make you feel isolated and all alone. He cannot take your soul, but he can hinder your faithfulness and fruitfulness. Remember, nothing pleases God more than for his children to be dependent on Him. Nothing is too small. Nothing is too large. He just wants to spend time with you, even if it is time spent working you through your trouble. do not squander another moment worrying. It solves nothing. Give it to God!

Read Matthew 6:25-34

Merely as an example:
Conservatives believe and are saying that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are the most radical a and liberal demonic duo ever to be nominated for President and Vice President of the United States. What should we do with that?

As yet another example: "U.S. Economist Issues Dire Warning: 'Painful Reckoning' Looms Over Markets" read one headline this morning. What do we do with that?

One more: "One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime. Either by having it or caring for someone with it." I read recently. What do we do with that?

I cannot tell you how to feel. I will not tell you that I am without fault. I hope you are concerned and prayerfully burdened over many of life's issues. What I want, however, is for me and you to decrease and for Him to increase. Do it for Him, of course, but do it for your own sanity.

The only rest and peace that I find from the information overload that has the potential daily of wearing me down is to totally give it all to God. I will repeat what I wrote in a previous blog on prayer:
I talk to God all day about everything. I have to, or I would lose it.

Someone might argue that I should just unplug more and be less informed, and, thus, less troubled. Perhaps, but I don't think my calling nor my personality would allow for that. Again, others might care less, i.e. they might say, "Just let your kids grow up." or "Just get done what you can and not worry about the rest."
I get it, but I am just not made that way. Therefore, my rest doesn't come from a nap. My peace of heart doesn't come from a finished task. My rest comes from letting God know I can't, but He has proven that He can, and I have learned to let Him.

How are you doing in this area? Is your dependence on God growing, or are you fighting to hang on?