Help For a Heart That Worries
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3)
Friend to Friend
The prophet Isaiah said, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short
to save, nor is his ear too dull to hear.” (Isaiah 59:1) Though I know /
in my heart [this is true], I still sometimes go /back and forth /between
doubt and worry
3vt o
/as if God’s arms are short and his ears are dull. My friend Erica does too.
She came /to my door /with a package to deliver and a story to share. I
signed for the package and we began to catch up. Her kids are grown.
Mine are teens. Her daughter just got married. My oldest just went /to
college. Mama to mama we shared and cared.
* sign for something; 뭔가를 서명하고 받다
to sign a piece of paper indicating that one has received something.
“My daughter and her new husband might be moving /to Chicago. I have
to be honest, Gwen,” she said seriously,
“I’m not doing /well /trusting
God with this. I’m struggling /with anxiousness and worry.” I listened
and nodded /with understanding, knowing /full well [the strain of worry
and anxiety].
3vt o
Then she perked up and shared a story that went something like this…
* perk up; to become lively, cheerful, or vigorous, as after depression or sickness (usually followed by up):
God impressed a message /on my heart /this morning //that challenged and convicted me! I just have to tell you about it. I ride motorcycles. Have /for years. I love the feeling of being out /in the open air. It’s exciting and invigorating. When I ride, I feel vulnerable and alert. It’s risky and requires balance, it’s much more difficult /than driving my car, but I ride because it energizes me and makes me feel alive.
* a message //that challenged and convicted me
* Have (ridden motorcycles) /for years
This morning () I rode my bike to work /while it was still dark. I don’t usually do that /because the headlight is small, so the light is dim. As I was riding, I began to thank God for allowing me to ride my bike to work. I thanked him for allowing me to feel alive and energized along the way. And as I did, He spoke /to my heart. I sensed He was saying, “Erica!
This is [what I want my relationship with you to be like]: exciting, risky, and energizing, like riding your motorcycle!
But instead you take your car with me. You want to feel safe. You want to see with brighter headlights. You grasp /for more control, by worrying and fretting /about things () you can do nothing about.
In doing so, you miss out on [a faith //that is alive and energizing]… a faith that trusts me and takes risks.
*miss out on 기회를 잃다
To lose a chance for: missed out on the promotion.
She shared that story /with tears and conviction in her eyes. We were
both moved and challenged. It left me with a fresh longing /for deeper
faith.
I want to ride.
I want to take risks /with the star-breathing, mountain moving,
speak-through-a-burning-bush, unpredictable, and unsearchable
All-mighty One!
*the star-breathing, mountain-moving,
speaking-through-a-burning-bush, unpredictable, and unsearchable
All-mighty One
형 형 형 형 형 명
God does not call us to a safe faith. He does not promise that we
will have a clear view of all that lies ahead. He does not promise us
simplicity. Instead, He invites us to embrace a vibrant faith //that
trusts Him. A faith //that is alive and energized, in spite of the
unsteady unknowns. His arms are not too short to save and His ears are
not dull to hear. He is powerful, capable, compassionate, merciful,
holy, just, and faithful.
These truths should hush our noisy doubts and calm the anxieties //that seek to unnerve us.
God is sovereign and His ways are mysterious.
And in the center of all of my questions this one resounds:
who better to trust than God?
Myself? Hardly.
My paycheck? My medical chart? My emotions?
I might as well chase the wind. 차라리 바람을 잡지
In contemplating this, I journey back /to what the Bible has to say on such things.
“Live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God /for what
he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm
56:3-4)
“Trust in the Lord /with all your heart, and do not lean on your own
understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make
straight your paths.”
Is the Lord calling you to trust Him /with something or someone today?
Decide to ride.
*lean on; to depend on
* 도치문;
he will make
straight your paths
he will make your paths straight
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Please quiet my anxious heart. Give me courage to step out
in faith,
beyond what I can see or attempt to control. I bring these
heart burdens to You now ______________.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.