“Pray, and let God worry” are the words of Martin Luther, who was a great theologian and one of my personal heroes of the faith. Although this professor, composer and priest spoke these words 500 years ago, they retain their power for all of us who live in the first part of the 21st century.
One of my dearest lifelong friends has been in a horrific battle for her very life. She discovered a growth on her gums last spring and immediately went to her dentist. This friend, who in the past three years has sent her husband, her sister and her father to heaven, has a faith that is rare and extraordinary.
When Diane was diagnosed with oral cancer, she was referred to one of the top oral oncologists in our region. As he walked into the examining room that spectacular spring morning, he pulled his chair up as close as he could in order to look in Diane’s face.
Would you like to know what words came out of the mouth of this learned man of science as he looked into the weary face of my sweet friend?
“Diane—you don’t get to worry anymore. You must trust me, and if there is any worrying to be done, I will do it. The cancer that has invaded your body is treatable and even curable. When you wake up in the middle of the night, I want you to remember that you don’t have to worry, because I am taking care of you.”
Every time that I picture that vivid scenario, I am in awe of the goodness of God. We have a great physician, a healer and a loving Father who has pulled His very presence as close as possible to you and to me. He is looking in our faces this day and is lovingly reminding us that we don’t have to worry, because He is taking care of us.
When we wake up in the middle of the night and are tempted to worry rather than to trust, we must remind ourselves that we, too, have someone who is an expert in the field of humanity, and He is accomplishing what concerns each one of us. He is able to cure every disease, to answer every prayer, to right every wrong and to encourage every discouraged soul.
So, today, my friend, I want to remind you that your job is to trust, and God’s job is to take care of you. My prayer for you today is that every worry, every care and every concern will disappear as you determine to trust your good, good Father.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. … God’s peace … will guard your hearts and your minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7, NLT). {eoa}
Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written 10 books, including The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart, Defiant Joy!, Holy Estrogen!, No More Ordinary, Refined, Joy For All Seasons, Let There Be Joy! Pass the Joy, Please! Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue and Stormproof, which releases on March 1, 2019. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart, won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. You can also listen to Carol’s “Jolt of Joy” program daily on the Charisma Podcast Network. Connect with Carol or inquire about her speaking to your group at carolmcleodministries.com.
