TRANQUILITY

I am sitting in my new yard enjoying all the beauty around me; the trees, flowers, birds, and the blue sky. What a choice moment in time; to meditate on the Lord’s goodness, faithfulness, and patience. I say “new yard,” because I have just relocated to Indiana from Pennsylvania. The planning, packing, traveling, and unpacking are all behind us, but the lessons learned, the wise reminders, and the constant faithfulness of my Father in heaven are now the things that flood my mind and fill my heart

One would think that after being a Christian for many years, I would not need God’s reminders, that I should be “rock solid” in my confidence in Him, that He will supply all my needs. I wish that were so, but it isn’t. Through this whole process of selling one home and purchasing another, I often found myself anxious about almost everything! House showings, finances, and interstate moving of all I own in one 26′ u-haul! I know that may not seem like a lot, but you pack it up in a truck, it quickly becomes overwhelming.

Why do we worry so much about everything? The insignificant as well as the vital matters of life. Indeed, one answer to the question would be that we’re human, and as such, are finite beings who do not know with certainty what the future holds. I think another answer could be that we are not very good at applying past lessons learned in our new experiences.

I have been thinking about the latter for some time. How often do we find ourselves in a predicament; decisions need to be made; life changes require us to seek God’s face and trust His will. You can add many other scenarios to this as well, and the point I am making becomes apparent; at least it should be evident.

These particular situations are new to us, they are not the same situations we faced last week or even last year, BUT they require the same trust in God and the same commitment to follow His will, wherever that may lead us! I often find that I am constantly re-learning this truth each-and-every time I face some new trial, some new situation that requires me to make choices when I do not have all the answers.

Lessons such as: 

1. 1. Not to worry about the essentials: what I will eat or drink or wear because our Father in heaven knows our needs and provides for them (Matthew 6:25-34).
2. 2. To take “one day at a time,” because tomorrow will care for itself (Matthew 6:34).
3. Rather than give sway to our anxieties, we should PRAY! Prayer is the antidote to fear!
4. 3. Remember that we are not alone in our daily walk. God has given us (believers) His Holy Spirit as a pledge because he cares for us. Rather than act in fear and pride, we need to humble ourselves under His mighty hand (Philippians 4:6-7)!
5. 4. Our anxieties have ALWAYS proven to be a heavy weight to bear. (Proverbs 12:25), BUT casting these cares upon Him will give our hearts peace and life to our bodies (Proverbs 14:30)!

I know this. I have been taught these things. I had these struggles between worry and faith, pride and humility, and impatience and patience many times over in my life, and yet, when a new “unknown” befalls me, I become a student of His grace once again.

Some “Christian” authors write articles or books about “the secret of tranquility.” But it is no secret. God wants us to know how to experience true and lasting tranquility in this life, so He explained it to us in His holy Word!

The Psalmist tells us (Psalm 37:3-7) that we can experience true and lasting tranquility by being obedient to the Lord in these ways:

1. v.3 Trust in the Lord and do good.
2. v.4 Delight yourself in the Lord.
3. v.5 Commit your way to the Lord.
4. v.7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

As much of a challenge that all these life changes have been for me, I have happily found that I am doing better in casting my anxieties upon Him, but still have much room for growth!

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