Having a God-is-in-Control Mindset

Thank goodness for the winners of the political races because now we can breathe easier. The ones who won their seats in the House and Senate proclaimed that they would fix the economy, solve the issues on immigration, health care, and give their supporters whatever they want from them. So, no concerns or worries! NOT! It's a fresh, new day to realize “God is in control”! I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know WHO holds tomorrow!

It may sound like a cliché but I assure you “God’s got this!” In a culture fixated on the present and ourselves, it's understandable that there are many who are ecstatic about the outcome of yesterday's elections and others who are disappointed and anxious. We are right to be concerned about our nation, but we are wrong to worry about our future: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). When we do, (verse 7) "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". We must remember this: Our mighty God, is in control.

I am so happy that my peace, well-being, and hope for tomorrow doesn't depend on what a man or woman promises in some political arena and, if elected, what my life will become. Here's what I do know and here's what I'm staking my life upon. I believe God's ways are so much higher than ours and His sovereign plans and purposes will be carried out. If we are people who live by faith, we will just keep overcoming because we know that God is in control -- no matter "the who" is in the White House, the schoolhouse, the greenhouse, House of Representatives, or a household.

Instead of being in that "I'm-so-worried-about-what-our-future-holds mode", how about us looking at a penny and stand by those words engraved on it that say "In God We Trust"?

This morning is another gorgeous day for us to say again “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I looked for a flag that depicted who we are as Americans. This one below is the one I found. I just added the words. I have a vivid picture in my mind: "THIS FLAG stands for freedom. I'm proud to be an American where I know I am free, and I won't forget the men and women who died who gave that right to me. And I'll proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today, cause' there ain't no doubt, I love this land, God bless the USA!" And as much as I love that song sung by Lee Greenwood, more than my beloved American flag, the cross of Jesus Christ is my statue of liberty. In GOD I Trust! With Him, our future is secure.

That Precious Rocking Chair of Peace

I no longer have a rocking chair because its usefulness was over, but it meant the world to me at one time. Oh, the joy I experienced in that rocker. I sat and rocked in it and sang sweet love songs to each of my babies. I’d kiss their soft cheeks and take deep breaths as I smelled that heaven-scent aroma on them. I’d pray for their little lives to be filled with the love and grace of God. They’d drift off to sleep as I cuddled them so close – and often, I’d fall asleep, too. It was almost a holy, sacred place of complete peace and serenity.

I’ve also ridded myself of the not-so-precious "worry" rocking chair. In the words of the great philosopher, Erma Bombeck ;-) .“Worry is like a rocking chair: It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.” From firsthand experience, I can tell you that statement is true. I've done my share of worrying, and it has NEVER gotten me anywhere! I realized that it is a time waster, energy sucker, stomach nauseater, and a depression maker -- not to mention, that I disappointed God when I was a "Worry Wart". Worry Wart: someone who worries too much. Worst of all, being a worrier is admitting that we’re not trusting God to take care of the situations in our lives.

God knows that one of the greatest "joy stealers" in our lives is worry. That's why He reminds us not to worry and to trust Him completely. Jesus said in Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT YOUR LIFE." That doesn’t sound like a suggestion, but a commandment from God.

Sometimes….as stalwart as we may be in professing to have great faith, and trusting in God implicitly, we are still vulnerable to the lies of the enemy. But thanks be to God, like rebooting a computer, we can do a “reboot” on our minds and remember what we know to be true. "Cast the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you." (I Peter 5:6, 7). I love that image! I know what it is to CAST for fish and reel that bait back in. In that scripture, it means CASTING the cares -- all of them -- on Him....and NOT reeling them back in. We CAST them to Him....and let go of them.

I'm learning my lessons well. When worry starts knocking on my door.....I do my best to quickly put mind on HIM who is my worry-bearer. "Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Me" (Isaiah 26:3). I quickly go get in my precious "peace" rocking chair and I cast the cares, the worries and pressures to Him -- after all HE is the Prince of Peace so why should I worry or fret? And why should YOU worry or fret? What rocking chair are you rocking in today? A chair of peace and serenity or the chair of worry – that gets you nowhere. I’m choosing the peace chair! How about you?