T
hanks Planning, imagining and worrying can go hand-in-hand. That is, planning can trigger anxiety instead of the peace that it promises from being prepared…
A friend offered some nice furniture that was going to be discarded. The only problem was that 1-800-JUNK was coming to get it if I didn’t get there first.
I needed an able-body and a truck - neither of which I had.
I also had to get just the right table that would fit exactly into the six-foot section of the exam room.
Besides the time crunch, all of the furniture was already disassembled and was too complicated for my pea-brain to figure out. I tried calling an engineer friend who could certainly figure where the bolts and pieces would go. He was not available.
I had become so anxious over the situation that I was left with only one option: prayer.
I literally sat down and prayed, “Father God, somehow make this easy.”
The improbable answer to the prayer came through a friend who just happened to have a brand new truck and a couple of extra hours. The further answer came when my friend who offered me the furniture ushered me away from the disassembled pieces and into his lab room. Sitting there was a six-foot table with three legs which would be ideal for avoiding knee-bumps in my exam room.
This scenario of planning-worrying-praying has repeated itself more often than I’d like to admit. But every time I sit in that perfectly-fitted-out exam room and don’t bump my knees, I bump into the reality of God’s providential care.
PORTAL TO HEAVEN: God’s exacting care in terms of time and space are portals that add security and peace to our lives - not to mention a little of His intentional humor.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV