What is the final outcome?

I was talking to my father yesterday about his health problems. He was telling me that he felt bad almost all of the time and that his health was deteriorating. Unfortunately he recently read a book about the disease that he has and then he dreamed that his health had evolved to the absolute worst condition listed in the book. He has been worrying to the point that he is even dreaming about what terrible things might be. I reminded him that he is nearly 87 years old and at that age, chances of his living long enough for the disease to evolve and progress to the point that he would develop those symptoms was very unlikely. I asked him to just settle in and concentrate on the things that he could control, enjoy life as best he can for whatever time he is allotted and leave the rest to God.

It is amazing how worry can sneak into our minds. We must try our utmost to keep in our minds that God is in control and it was determined by Him prior to the beginning of time as we know it exactly the time, place, and manner in which we are going to be born and when we will die. There is nothing we can do to change that situation and worrying about what might be will do absolutely nothing to improve the situation and will just make us miserable. It is a GOOD thing that God is in control, because He alone knows what is best for us and what we need and we know that we are His children and He loves us and will take care of us. Alas, it is easy to say all of this, but exceedingly difficult to do.

Jesus talked extensively about worry. He said it was a sin and was a useless exercise because worry will not accomplish anything good and was an indicator that we did not put enough trust in our Creator. My father is a devout Christian and sincerely believes that when he dies He will go to heaven. These should be exciting times for him; knowing that in the not too distant future he will be joining Jesus. I talked about how he will be in paradise and in 10,000 years will just be getting settled in and enjoying the scene. The Bible states that “a thousand years is as a day to the Lord”. I can relate to that passage as it kind of reminds me of living with my wife; (just kidding of course). I told my father that eons and eons from now he will not even remember this little “thorn in his flesh”, and the victory celebration would just be getting started.

I tape record football games because I do not want to go through the agony of watching my favorite team lose. If my team wins, then I watch the game in peace because I already know the outcome is going to be just like I want it to be. Similarly, anyone who is a Christian knows how the game of life will end and that we will all be winners and will reap glorious rewards untold. The Bible plainly tells us the outcome and it is VERY good. Read the Bible, believe it, and trust in God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and body.

Is this difficult for you to do? Then keep asking, seeking, and knocking on God’s door and asking Him to reveal this message to you in such a manner as for you to have complete faith which yields complete peace of mind.

Luke 11:9
So I say to you, ask and it will
be given to you; seek and you will
find; knock and it will be opened to
you.

For everyone who asks receives,
and he who seeks finds, and to him
who knocks it will be opened.