Anxiety is my number one enemy. I struggle daily with it. For so many years I have molded my life with anxiety built in to it. I associate anxiety and stress with success and hard work. My journal is full of prayers and scripture about my struggle with anxiety, contentment, and fear. Now that I am married I have learned the hard way that Anxiety not only effects me but it also effects my spouse and potentially my daughter.
And the report came back: “Elisha is at Dothan.” 14 So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.
16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
Neely and I went through a very challenging transition period in our marriage a few years ago. It was one of those times when the Lord took away all of our comfort and all of our security. I remember feeling helpless and lost as well as carrying the burden of being a husband and soon-to-be father. It was one of those times in life that really stretch you. A time when you either mature and grow or you fold. I remember during that time I was journaling and struggling with what the future would hold and extremely anxious about a new beginning and the Lord gave me these simple words.
Rest...
God knows what He's Doing
While your anxiously waiting
He's meticulously leading you
His ways are high
His plans Still good
Just know that sometimes
He leads us blind
The idea that God was working in our situation with his total attention even though we felt we had no evidence of that gave me a little room to breath. It was like the Lord said to me I am making Precise plans for you both but I am choosing not to reveal them to you "yet".
One of my favorite stories in the bible takes place in 2 Kings 6. Its the story of Elisha and his servant. A quick summary is the King of Aram was at war with Israel. He would make a plan to defeat Israel and the Lord would warn Elisha ahead of time so Elisha could tell the King of Israel. This frustrated the King of Aram and he obviously thought someone on his side was warning the Israelites. The King of Aram's men finally told him that Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel tells the King of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom! continued...
2 Kings 6:13-17 (NLT)
13 “Go and find out where he is,” the king commanded, “so I can send troops to seize him.”
And the report came back: “Elisha is at Dothan.” 14 So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.
16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
I was just like that servant. Scared, afraid, overwhelmed, and anxious. Little did I know the Lord had already come prepared for my dilemma. I don't pretend to know what any of your situations might be, but I do know that whether you or I can see it...The Lord has already defeated your trouble before you've even recognized it. Your perspective may be limited like the servant of Elisha's was...no less, remember this promise...
Isaiah 46:4
4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.
