Leave it with the Lord.
Ponder: Why do we unburden ourselves in prayer only to shoulder the burden again?
Scripture: “Be anxious in nothing, but in everything by prayer an supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7 NKJV).
Do you ever get all worked up and worried over some pressing problem? I confess, I’m sometimes guilty! Added anxiety appears when we cannot come up with a remedy of our own.
Paul said to “be anxious in nothing” (Philippians 4:6). Peter said we should be “casting all (our) anxiety upon Him, for He cares for (us)” (1 Peter 5:7). But how are we to do this? An Old Testament example will help us to see more clearly.
Hannah used to get worked up over her inability to bear children. In those days, childlessness was looked upon as a great disgrace. Hannah’s husband, Elkanah, had a second wife, Penninah, who had children. Penninah “provoked (Hannah) severely, to make her miserable” (1 Samuel 1:6). Hannah used to cry and refuse to eat.
As most of us would do, Hannah prayed to God about her problem. Hers was a fervent prayer: “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish” (1 Samuel 1:10). She told Eli the priest, “I have poured out my soul before the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:15).
But, unlike so many of us, Hannah left her trouble with the Lord! “So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad” (1 Samuel 1:18). She believed the Lord would solve her problem. She was free!
We pray, perhaps even fervently; but then we pick up our burdens and carry them around some more. No wonder we’re exhausted! Don’t we believe God can deal with our difficulties? Why ask Him to help, and then not let Him?
“Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care?
“Precious Savior, still our refuge, Take it to the Lord in prayer.”
(And leave it there!)
Song: “What a friend we have in Jesus”
Prayer: We praise and thank You, our Heavenly Father, for hearing and answering our prayers. Help us to trust You more, and to cast all our anxieties upon You, knowing that you care for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)