Timothy and Ezra, nearing two, crave independence. They are big enough to walk on their own but resist holding hands when it’s necessary unless they’re sleepy, and then they prefer to be held. Observing them playing, you might call them fearless. Running headlong down our fairly steep concrete drive, their own momentum making it difficult for their little legs to keep up, you wouldn’t know it if they were actually afraid. The adults, on the other hand, are panicking while flat out sprinting to get ahead of them should they trip. They are learning their limitations one stumble at a time.
I picture them running and I cannot stifle a laugh. Timothy moves like a little freight train while what’s left of Ezra’s baby cheeks bounce with every step. They are as precious as can be and I love them more than I thought possible. As with my own children, I find myself borrowing troubles from tomorrow by worrying ahead of time over them, as if I could only anticipate whatever stunt they might attempt and spare them the injury.
When I catch myself slipping into worry wart mode, which I do more often than I care to admit, I confess how quickly I begin to fear, acknowledging my own lack of trust in God who loves them even more than I ever could. I ask Him to turn my thoughts of my precious grandchildren into prayers which accomplish so much more than anything else I could spend time doing.
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
James 5:16 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.5.16.NLT
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/php.4.6-7.NLT
More than anything, I want my daughters and sons, my granddaughter and grandsons to see me confidently trusting God. I want them to witness a sturdy faith that does not flinch when things get a little squirrelly. The truth is, babies do trip and fall and every good intention in the world cannot hold them up. We don’t fault the baby for lack of coordination. We accept falling as part of growing. We learn to get back up and try again, as many times as it takes, and eventually our creeping becomes a walk then a run.
“So I run with purpose in every step.”
1 Corinthians 9:26 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.9.26.NLT
Does this mean that I kick up my heels and relax, expecting God to do everything? Of course not. What a ridiculous notion. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus does not teach hands off complacency. Rather He cautions His followers to take note of what dominates our thoughts. I’ve read that worry is nothing more than repeatedly thinking on negative outcomes, most of which never come to pass. How do we combat these negative thoughts? We take every thought captive, making it obey Christ. We fix our eyes on Jesus. (II Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 12:2)
““That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.
Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
Look at the birds.
They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.
And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing?
Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.
They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.
Why do you have so little faith?
So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.
Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:25-34 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.25-34.NLT
I’m learning to catch myself more quickly now. Before I slip into that downward spiral of negative thoughts, I begin praying. I begin with thankfulness. It is near impossible to fear the future while reciting the goodness of God. When His praises flow freely from my lips, a weight lifts, one I did not realize I carried.
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.40.31.NLT
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.
At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.6.9.NLT
God is never surprised by our humanity. We are as much a stiff necked people as Israel ever dared to be but He loved us so much, He chose to live among us. He took the punishment due us on Himself by His death on a Roman cross, but He didn’t stay dead. He rose on the third day and He is alive forever, reigning Sovereignly from the heavens until the time of His return when His eternal Kingdom will be established on the earth.
You would never allow your little one to wander into traffic just because he stubbornly pulled away. You do not leave a small child to fend for himself. You clothe and feed them, provide them shelter, and guide them in right paths. Do you do it perfectly? No. Do you let fear lead? Never. We walk by faith, not by sight, until our faith becomes sight, and we do not hide these truths from our children.
“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children.
So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.
Then they will not be like their ancestors— stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God. for they did not believe God or trust him to care for them.”
Psalms 78:4, 6-8, 22 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.78.4-22.NLT
“When I’m afraid, I put my trust in you.
I trust in God.
I praise his word.
I trust in God.
I am not afraid.
What can mere people do to me?”
Psalm 56:3-4 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/psa.56.3-4.NIRV
“The Lord is my light, and he saves me.
Why should I fear anyone?
The Lord is my place of safety.
Why should I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/psa.27.1.NIRV
“So do not be afraid.
I am with you. Do not be terrified.
I am your God.
I will make you strong and help you.
I will hold you safe in my hands.
I always do what is right.
I am the Lord your God.
I take hold of your right hand.
I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’”
Isaiah 41:10, 13 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/isa.41.10-13.NIRV
There is no need to fear. You will never reach for your Heavenly Father’s hand and not find it waiting. He is your Refuge and Strength, an ever present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.”
Psalms 27:10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.27.10.NLT
“The eternal God is a dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms”
Deuteronomy 33:27 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/deu.33.27.NASB1995
Hold Me Jesus ~ Big Daddy Weave
https://youtu.be/JOon2xQNZX0?si=VCyTB0sKiQ9kyZ9j
Just Be Held ~ Casting Crowns
A Fitting Reply 