Turn it over

                It has been a tumultuous couple of weeks with all the political nonsense going on and then the indoor monsoon in the nursery area.  It seems like there is bad news on top of bad news. But it is in these times that we have to take one of the strongest steps of faith and do the one thing that brings us peace and comfort: we have to “turn it over to God”.  And, honestly, that’s not easy, is it?
Yet, God tells us that we can do that, even in the worst of times.  Remember the verses in 1 Peter 5 where Satan is described as a roaring lion looking to devour us? Here is the verse immediately preceding that warning: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Can we truly turn it over to God? Absolutely! But there are a few steps were have to take.

First we have to truly do our best. Peter said that we have a role when he tells us to be alert and have our mind under control.  That means calm down and do the right thing according to God’s direction. That leads us to the second thing. We have to be students of God’s Word.  There are some many promises in there that can and will bring comfort. Claim those promises by believing that God keeps His promises. Next we have to realize that at a certain point we have done all we can do. We are limited in many ways, and controlling people’s thoughts and actions is certainly one of those ways. Only when we recognize that can we begin to rely on God. Please understand, realizing that we can do nothing else isn’t giving up; quite the opposite.  It  is the necessary part of finally being able to turn it over to God. And we can do that when we take to heart one more promise: “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) Go ahead.  Turn it over to God. Experience some of that peace that Jesus gives.   Bro. Tony