So yesterday I went turkey hunting with my best friend and we bagged one right at the break of dawn and were back at the house before most folks get up. I took that to mean that things were looking up and though my very large problems have not diminished all that much, my attitude yesterday greatly improved and remained positive in spite of things.
I used to tell people who would come to me with serious problems that we should just work our way out of it and not try to worry our way out. When you think about it, worry accomplishes nothing positive; it is wasted and harmful time. If the same amount of time is used towards working to find ways to resolve our problems, (which everyone experiences), then we can make progress. So we should work and not worry.
Nonetheless most people worry anyway; it is human nature. Jesus instructed us not to worry on many occasions. He said beginning in Matt. 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I believe it’s insulting to God for us to worry; it is as though we don’t trust Him to take care of us and supply our needs. It is a sin and one that is widely committed; (anxiety is the number one mental problem in the world).
We must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and our problems will melt away like snow on a hot day.
It is amazing how God works in our lives. Last night I had several phone calls; one was from a very influential and wealthy man who wants to help make my story into a movie. I told him that I have four movie producers that are looking at making it into a major motion picture. He told me that I should get a commitment from one of them, because “none of us are getting any younger and he would like to get it done in this lifetime”. I laughed and told him my preference of the producers that I’ve met, and related that I’d spent an enormous amount of time talking to this guy and felt that God wanted him to do the movie.
I went on to inform him that this particular producer was in Alaska meeting with some investors and I didn’t know when he might return, but when he did I would check his level of commitment and see if we could get something in writing. We hung up and literally as soon as I hung up the phone I got a text from the movie producer stating he was back and wanted to hear how the Renewal of America event went and he wanted to get started making my movie . . .
Gulp . . . Oh boy . . . Spiritual goose bumps popped up everywhere on that one I tell you. I called my friend back and told him what happened and he marveled at God’s confirmation of my choice of producers as being a good one.
Then the leader from what I would imagine to be the largest faith based organization in the world called. Earlier in the day I’d told one of my friends that we need to jump start our Renewal of America movement by signing up millions of members right out of the box and I hoped God would lead this particular organization to join our movement. This Spirit filled leader excitedly promised to do just that stating that he believed in our mission and is committed to “doing everything within his power” to make it happen.
After we hung up – more spiritual goose bumps.
Hmmm . . . I’ve decided that perhaps whining about poor little old me and my problems may actually be a good thing. First we bagged a nice turkey at the crack of dawn; then I received letters from all over the country offering an outpouring of encouragement that lifted my spirits immeasurably; and finally and most importantly, Jesus showed up in a big (spiritual goose bump) way to show me He is still around and is still my best friend.
I’m kidding about the whining of course, but it has been my observation that we all need encouragement on occasion. Satan does not want us to succeed; especially when we are trying to accomplish something counter to his dark goals and ambition. I appreciated all of the kind words, encouraging Bible verses, friendly admonishments, and prayer yesterday and it did lift my spirits.
Interestingly prayer and Godly friends are a vital part of putting on the full armor of God on a daily basis. If you are depressed discuss your problem(s) with your friends in order that they might pray for you.
Don’t have any Godly friends?
Then make some new friends. Go to a good church like the one at Honey Lake and you will find Spirit filled people who will welcome you with open arms and care about you and pray together with you.
Most importantly when you feel all alone and overwhelmed with heavy burdens, go to your God who loves you. In prayer and supplication, (petition, appeal, plea), ask that He intervene in your life to show you the way out of your misery. He will hear and He will heal.
Keep the faith my good friends!
1 Peter 6:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
March 27, 2014 – Click here to listen