Faithful Stewardship
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.—Proverbs 27:23–24 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.—PHILIPPIANS 4:6 NIV
A woman in her sixties cared for her husband as he battled lung cancer. Her thoughts bounced between his health issues and her fears of the future. What will happen if I lose him? she thought daily. A thousand scenarios played out in her mind, none of them with happy endings.
For the caregiver who struggles with such worries, the sky overhead can seem dark with clouds. It can feel like anxiety and trouble are constantly hovering above, always threatening to break loose in a downpour of despair. But even in the most difficult times, the Lord admonishes us to cast our cares on Him…to release those anxieties into His powerful hands.
If your heart is heavy today, if you’re fighting to keep your head above water, take time to “present your requests to God.” Spend serious time with the Lord, sharing your heart. Ask for His perspective and His will. And thank Him for what is good in your life. God is pleased to answer such prayers.
Dear Lord, I choose to approach Your throne with thanksgiving in my heart. In that state of mind, I offer up my worries, my anxieties, and my fears. I present them to You, knowing that You care for me.
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.—Proverbs 27:23–24 (NIV)
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.—Luke 6:27–28 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)