Everything’s Okay

Stress, worry, fear, sadness, guilt, anger, grief. There is so much misery plaguing human hearts, and these are just the tip of the iceberg. Worries like these can take control of our thoughts and make our daily lives miserable. We all deal with heartaches that threaten to debilitate us. We can’t avoid sadness, anger and fear forever. What matters most is how we choose to fight back.

People try all kinds of remedies, and lots of them are just terrible. I believe that Scripture and prayer should be the Christian’s first line of defense. Psalms 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Jesus knew that without a firm connection to God, we would be, “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

Sometimes worries make me nervous and restless. They even take over my dreams and wake me up in the middle of the night. That’s when I have to tell myself, “Everything’s okay. It was only a dream.” It seems to me that my mind does a lot of its worrying at night. I have to remember that, when I put my trust in God, everything really is okay. I remind myself that Jesus said, “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John14:27). And Psalms 4:8 says, “In peace I will lie down and fall asleep, for you alone, Lord, make me secure.” A good verse to remember in middle of the night.

Jesus often told His disciples that they should not be afraid. His final promise in St. Matthew’s Gospel says, “And behold, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). The Scriptures are full of reassurances like that one. Their message is wonderfully clear. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalms 23:4). God tells us to stop worrying long enough to hear His words of comfort. “Be still and know that I am God!” (Psalms 46:10). We have to learn to recognize His presence and to let the peace of God that we already carry in our hearts fill our minds and spread to every corner of our being. “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (Luke 12:25). Of course not!

There is a wonderful bit of advice in Deuteronomy 30:19-20. The people of Israel were coming to the end of their 40-year journey through the desert. Standing on the banks of the Jordan River, gazing across at the Promised Land, Moses said to them, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore, choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him.”

Though it may not feel like it when we are struggling through a bout of grief or stress or fear, we do have a choice. One year, when I was dealing with crippling back pain and my husband was undergoing chemotherapy, he gave me a large wooden sign for my birthday. It said, “Choose Happiness.” He understood what Moses was telling his people better than I did. We can choose to be happy even in our most difficult and stress-filled times. It’s not easy, not like flipping a switch. But remember, “all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13) Amen!

KEEP READING and SINGING

“Forever Jesus” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5kXMx1kkY8
“The Night Song” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBraI_mU1O4
“Jesus King of Angels” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myn8TdSNc4k

Trust in God. A psalm of David. Psalms 4:2-9 “Answer me when I call, my saving God. When troubles hem me in, set me free; take pity on me, hear my prayer. In peace I will lie down and fall asleep, for you alone, Lord, make me secure.”

Assurance of God’s Protection. Psalms 121 “The LORD will guard you from all evil; he will guard your soul. The LORD will guard your coming and going both now and forever.” Psalm 121:7-8

Footnote to Psalm 121 in the NAB: A blessing given to someone embarking on a dangerous journey whether a soldier going on a campaign or a pilgrim returning home from the Temple. People look anxiously at the wooded hills. Will God protect them on their journey (Ps 121:1)? The speaker declares that God is not confined to a place or a time (Ps 121:2), that every step is guarded (Ps 121:3–4); night and day (Ps 121:5–6) God watches over their every movement (Ps 121:7–8). (New American Bible)