Our world is in a real pickle. Wars, rumors of wars, global conflict, rising crime, protests, arguments … I could go on and on. People everywhere are restless, irritable and discontent. It is estimated 60% of Americans suffer from stress and worry, and approximately 40 million suffer anxiety attacks. Wow!
Last week’s sermon told me my peace is directly proportionate to the amount of worry I have. Worry distracts from trusting God. When that happens, I have to remember to shift my focus (routinely from my health, finances, marriage, kiddos) and re-focus on God and what He has for me. The world is not fulfilling. When my priorities are placed on worldly things, I become unstable and obsessively worry about the things in life that are fleeting. This stops the peace I so desperately seek. Re-focusing is not impossible.
My pastor told us a story about John Wesley (theologian). Wesley was on-board with a congregation of Moravian missionaries in 1736. While on the ship bound for America, he observed the Moravians during life-threatening storms. Wesley made several journal entries telling of their incredible faith and lack of worry:
“At seven I went to the Germans. I had long before observed the great seriousness of their behaviour. Of their humility they had given a continual proof, by performing those servile offices for the other passengers, which none of the English would undertake; for which they desired, and would receive no pay, saying, “it was good for their proud hearts,” and “their loving Saviour had done more for them.” And every day had given them occasion of showing a meekness which no injury could move. If they were pushed, struck, or thrown down, they rose again and went away; but no complaint was found in their mouth. There was now an opportunity of trying whether they were delivered from the Spirit of fear, as well as from that of pride, anger, and revenge. In the midst of the psalm wherewith their service began, the sea broke over, split the main-sail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up. A terrible screaming began among the English. The Germans calmly sung on. I asked one of them afterwards, “Was you not afraid?” He answered, “I thank God, no.” I asked, “But were not your women and children afraid?” He replied, mildly, “No; our women and children are not afraid to die.” From them I went to their crying, trembling neighbours, and pointed out to them the difference in the hour of trial, between him that feareth God, and him that feareth him not. At twelve the wind fell. This was the most glorious day which I have hitherto seen.
John Wesley
What John Wesley observed during that voyage directly impacted his conversion experience which led to his work in the Methodist church. The faith of those Moravian missionaries is truly inspiring!
Let’s face it — we live in a broken and fallen world and there will certainly be times that worry creeps in and tries to steal our focus away from God and the peace that is ours as His children. Bringing our worries to God in prayer, pondering on things of eternal value as well as God’s grace and goodness in our lives, and giving Him all the praise, then we can defeat worry and grow in our faith and trust of a loving, providing God.
While none of us can control what happens in the world around us, we do have control over our actions and reactions. As we search for peace (of mind, heart and/or soul), we can certainly trust that God does provide all our needs, including the peace that passes all understanding!
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdinistries@gmail.com. Visit her at the Second Mile blog at https://debbyefurd.com.
Tagged: fear and worry, missionaries, peace, trusting God
