There is a lovely little addition behind our house so covered in Virginia woods I didn’t even know it existed until the leaves dropped. The first autumn we lived here, I saw a light from a kitchen window barely distinguishable through the balding trees. As more leaves fell, more house and lights showed. In full winter, I can even see people moving about across the way.
Almost daily now I risk life and limb on our road with its fast flying cars and trucks, to walk to the turn in the road that leads into the back woods settlement. I find quiet there in the hidden roads where almost no one drives except for the people who live there.
I walk and talk to God in a whisper cause it is so quiet and beautiful I don’t want to shatter it.
“I wish we had just a little more money so we didn’t have to worry about it,” I whispered to God the other day.
“Well, that was all wrong,” I answered my own offhanded remark to the One-Who-Owns the cattle on a thousand hills.
A response inside said, “You never HAVE TO worry Sylvia, no matter how much money you have or don’t have.”
Photo by Hello I’m Nik on Unsplash
In these pinched days where only chickens seem to be making a killing, and retirement funds turn to vapor, God looks down from heaven and desires my worries to be His own.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
This verse pops up a lot in my life. It has confounded me and bothered me. Where is this peace in my life I wonder at times?
Merimnao, translated in our English Bibles as worry, anxious, concern or care, means, “To be drawn in different directions,” like someone pulled two ways. It corresponds to our word “distraction.”
It reminds me of the story in Matthew 14 when Jesus walked on the water toward a wet bedraggled and frightened group of disciples sailing across the Sea of Galilee. Tossed by wind and waves in the dark night, caught up in the miracle of this astounding, supernatural act of God, Peter responded to His Master’s invitation. He climbed down from the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
But, Peter took His eyes off of Jesus and in so doing saw the wind and the waves. The reality of his situation, walking on water, (are you kidding me?) came into focus. The tempest drew His attention away from His Lord. Fear consumed him and he began to sink.
Photo by Molnár Bálint on Unsplash
No one, no thing is greater than God. Worry fragments our focus on Him. Diverted by little niggles of life or big tempests, our eyes shift to them, rather than staying fixed on a Sovereign God Who is the Blessed Controller of All Things.
It’s a bit like the hidden house behind ours. When the pathway cleared, the light, once obscured but always present became visible. Worry blocks our sight from looking to Jesus alone for all our needs.
“You don’t have to worry, Sylvia,” He reminds me from His Word.
“…in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God…”
God desires my complete attention. One with Christ, I am meant to belong to Him completely. No one, no thing is greater than God Share on X
The Apostle Paul, from a dank prison wrote the church in Philippi, don’t “be drawn in different directions.” It robs your peace.
The disciple Peter walked on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus. He felt the winds and saw the waves. He cried, “Lord, save me.” And Jesus heard him call in the tempest.
I am so like Peter. How about you?
Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught Peter from drowning.
“O you of little faith,” Jesus said to Peter, “why did you doubt?”
Lois S.
Thanks, Sylvia! A good reminder.
sylvia schroeder
Thank you Lois!
Laura Lee Leathers
Sylvia! Excellent article. I loved the quote from the Apostle Paul. A wonderful reminder to me. Blessings,
Sylvia Schroeder
Laura Lee, so good to hear your thoughts! The Apostle Paul’s words are such a comfort. I love the idea of Him guarding my heart and mind. Those thoughts alone need another post! Thanks!
Kristin
This is a beautiful reminder to trust God. And what a visual–being pulled in many directions at once! Better to trust fully in our God. Thank you for writing this lovely piece.
Sylvia Schroeder
Kristin, Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. That visual should remind me more often of where I’m going! God’s Word is a wonderful stabilizer, and I need to pour it into me when I begin to worry.
Martha H.
I do that- say a prayer that I know isn’t scriptural and I answer my own comment. It’s part of speaking truth to yourself.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Martha. That so true! I hear my own words and God’s Spirit corrects me as I say them I think! Thanks so much for sharing that thought. David often spoke truth to himself in the Psalms.
Barbara Latta
I too find myself covered in worry that creeps in like a poison ivy vine. I don’t even realize I am worrying until the vine gets so thick I can’t think. I then rely on Philippians 4:6-7 which tells my not to be anxious about ANYTHING. He often has to remind me that it does mean ANYTHING. Thanks for sharing with us and for the reminder of our great God!
sylvia schroeder
I like the emphasis, Barbara! Anything pretty much takes care of everything, doesn’t it!
Katherine Pasour
It’s easy for us to say we’re not going to worry, but so much harder to actually stop worrying. Your scripture is reassuring and your words inspire me to not worry about finances, my family, or whether anyone likes my writing. Thank you for sharing these words from your heart. Peace and blessings, my friend.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Katherine. So true. I find my “distraction” needs constant re-focus. Sometimes God uses others, friends like you to speak truth into a crazy cycle of fear. And, by the way, you are a great writer!
Brenda Griswold
I see in this article how God IS walking you through so much. Isn’t it great to know that every time a Scripture pops into your mind, that it is our loving Father guiding you? He NEVER leaves us.
Sylvia Schroeder
Scripture is like a hand reaching down into the water, isn’t it? The truth of God’s Word (as you remind me often) is what I must hold on to. Thanks for encouraging me to hand on to the Hand that holds me up!
JD Wininger
Such truths Ms. Sylvia. We don’t HAVE to indeed, but it seems it’s in our fallen human nature to do so. Oh, the courage to rise above our humanity and instead seek His deity.
Sylvia Schroeder
J.D., I love that thought: “to rise above our humanity and instead seek His deity.” Thank you for sharing that!
Cleo Waters
I’ve been here (worry) so many times Sylvia and you are 100% correct – when my eyes have stayed focused on Jesus, HE always took full charge.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Cleo. Training my eyes and heart against distractions seems to take a lot of practice and discipline for me! I always enjoy hearing from you!
Carolyn E
I appreciate the insight into what worry does and means—it distracts me from keeping my eyes and focus and energy where my all needs to be…on Jesus.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Carolyn. You know me well enough to know how much I need to look only on Him. Thanks so much for reading and I loved hearing from you!!