By: Donna Martin
I am sure I am not the only wife who needs to remember Matthew 7:3-5, the verse about looking at the speck in your brother’s (or husband’s) eye and paying no attention to the plank in your own eye. We wives seem to be really good at pointing out our husband’s faults (not very respectful, but we’ll save that for another article).
I am always telling my husband, Mike, not to worry, God will take care of us and everything will work out. The things Mike worries about are big things like paying the bills, deciding what to do about fixing the old car or buying a new one, planning for retirement, and all the really important things in life that a husband has to handle in order to protect and provide for his family.
But I am really the world’s worst when it comes to worrying. Sure, I can completely trust God when it comes to having a roof over our head and food on the table. He has always provided. But the things that make my heart quiver and hands shake – the things that make me short tempered and cranky are all the things on my to-do list. Right now we are trying to plan a wedding, get ready for a trip to China, organize files on the computer to make more space for the memory…… the list goes on.
This morning I started my day rushing to get the 26 things done that were listed on my “to-do” list. Of course the interruptions began, and I added more items to the list. My heart began to race; my hands began to shake; I began to do what I tell Mike he should not do –WORRY!
So how does one stop this crazy worry cycle? I stopped what I was doing and opened up my copy of Jesus Calling – Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young. The first words of the devotion for today, August 26, on page 249 said, “Trust Me in the midst of a messy day.” One of the verses for today was John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Wow, I think Jesus really was calling me. Calling me to be still and know him, to trust him, to let him lead me through this day.
Perhaps you are having one of those crazy days with a “to-do” list that takes up more than one page. Ask God to help you know which things on that list are most important. Trust him to help you accomplish what needs to be done today. And put the things you don’t finish on tomorrow’s list. But more importantly, each time you are tempted to worry, stop, reach out to God, whisper the name of Jesus and ask him to give you his peace – the peace that transcends all understanding and guards your heart and mind in Jesus Christ our Lord. (Philippians 4:7)
The Martins currently present “Happy Together” marriages seminars for churches and organizations. To schedule a seminar call Michael at 940-735-1515. They also publish a weekly “Happy Together” Blog about family and marriage issues. You can order copies of their new books Dancing With Death and 366 Tidbits We Have Learned in 14,610 Days of Marriage, read, and subscribe to their “Happy Together” Blog by logging onto the Martin’s website at www.happytogethermarriage.com.