Have you ever prayed for something, and worry about it the next moment? I have. We pray for the health of our loved ones, safety, job, and many more, and the next day, we wake up finding ourselves worrying about it again.
What is worry? It is to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems. When I was facing difficulties at work, I worried that I was not going to deliver my work before the deadlines because there was so much to do. When I wanted to quit my job, I worried that I would no longer have that income I used to draw. When I quit my job, I worried that I would take a long time to find a new job.
However, each time I felt worried or anxious, I am reminded of God’s comforting words:
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).
It always helps after I prayed. I submitted my worries to God, and I felt free from the stress that has been boggling my mind; however, it was only temporary.
Why was it temporary? I did feel relieved at that moment, but why was it that when I am back to my daily life, I started to worry again?
“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).
Jesus told Martha that she was “careful” and “troubled about many things”. Careful in this regard means she was anxious, and she was certainly troubled over what to serve Jesus. Ah, wasn’t I just like Martha? I cared so much about the expectations of the world, and have neglected what is necessary, and that is, to hear what God has to say, and what God expects of me.
Is it not enough that I was trying my best at work? God said, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:10a). Will I lose everything if I quit my job? God said
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
Is God not going to answer my prayers if I asked for a job? God said
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7).
So what was I actually worrying about? I have obtained God’s grace and mercy when I obeyed him through the steps of salvation, and all I need to do is to make sure I live faithfully. This alone gives me strength, and is sufficient for me. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). What more do I need, other than God’s love for me? I know I have to put my trust in God, that no matter what happens, it’s the best for me. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
It is always a joy to look back in my life and see how God has blessed me through my life. Life is never a smooth sail for anyone, but I thank God for all the trials He has put me through in my life. In every trial that I overcame, I always feel immensely joyful in my heart because I have overcome it and am now stronger than before.
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2).
Although I had a tough time in my first job facing all the anxiety, crazy deadlines, tough clients and bosses who did not understand their employees, I am still very thankful that God had granted me that first job, where I learned, grew and matured in many different ways. And I thank God that when it was time to leave, He closed the door, and opened another door for me. I thank God that He placed David in my life to support me when I was out of job, and I thank God that He gave me a new job; one that I am interested in and has so far been very good to me.
I know that challenges will still come along my way, but as long as I trust in God’s way, God’s time, and God’s providence, I will always be God’s precious little daughter, and He will always be my precious Father in Heaven. And that is all that matters.