Tuesday, July 5, 2011

P31W: Laughing at the Future

Worry. I've been plagued with it. One time, I was angry. The deepest part of my heart was restless. I was unhappy and tired a lot. People even told me I was acting different. I was. I was far from God, far from my family and far from happy.

I realized I was worrying about my future. At this time, big questions like, "What do I do after high-school?" were tormenting me and I chose to dwell on those big questions instead of give them to God. I wasn't taking life one step at a time, with faith. I was trying to plan it all out in a hurry, without prayer or much thought.

It was tearing me apart.

No wonder so many people in life are suicidal, harm themselves or just have problems in general. What do they put their faith in? Who do they trust? I get dry if I don't trust Christ and He is mine! What do the people without Him do? I can't imagine.

The Proverbs 31 Woman knows who to trust in, and the "what ifs" and future don't scare her. 
 "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25
I can honestly say that I can't always laugh at the days to come. Sometimes I let the unknowns bog me down so far. I let the mysteries of life turn my mind 'round and 'round till I can't even think anymore. Can anyone relate?

I don't have the answer or solution to this helpless feeling. I don't know how to alleviate that, but I know the one who can do it. Christ! When I bring my helpless self to Him, and lay my problems and worries at His feet, its...its like a burden is falling away. When I come to the place and accept that my life isn't in my control and that God is holding everything in His hands and that there is in fact a reason for everything, I begin to relax. When a believer comes to God, begging for relief from worries and fears, asking Him to heal their faithlessness...He doesn't turn them away.

The P31W is strong! Uncertain futures don't scare her! She loves them! She will see life's mystery as an unforgettable, wonderful journey with a protective Father! She will embrace the unknowns and count them as joys, not burdens. The P31W has strength and dignity! She is respected for her bravery, for the way she faces the future, laughing, daring it to challenge her and her Lord. She is worthy of respect because of her courage. Her courage puts the bravest soldiers to shame. Her quiet peace will turn the heads of any stranger - making the passer-by want to know where she's placed her trust. Her serenity before making decisions is inspiring to everyone around her. She has learned that whatever decision she makes, whatever path she takes, whatever situation she finds herself in...her Jesus is there.

And she laughs.

3 comments:

Lexi W. said...

This is just what I needed to hear!!!! Thanks Ashley!!!

Keziah said...

wow ashley, really good post. I can get like that sometimes and people can tell that somethings wrong. thanks ash!
Shiphrah

Daniel G said...

I do that quite often, trying to determine what classes to take what major i should go with and what I’m going to do after college, who am i going to merry, how will i know, and all that kinda stuff that really doesn’t matter right now, thanks for the reminder.
~Daiel Gregory