Borrowing Trouble

SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 51:46

“Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.”

OBSERVATION:

There is no doubt that there is a lot to be concerned about in the world. There are many realities that are less than positive that we will need to navigate in our life time. The truth is that is normal life. The Bible says that God will not give us more than we can handle, and that when it is too much for us He becomes our strength. So the real hardships in life are doable - not easy or quick but doable.

I’ve found that most of the people I have counseled as a pastor, as well as observing my own life, that most people who are stricken with fear, stressed out, depressed (emotionally, not clinically), are so not because of the hardships they face but because of all of the possibilities that surround their hardship.

These possibilities are nothing more than rumors. It is funny how much weight we give these things as we draw conclusions regarding our circumstances. Most rumors and possibilities never come true. Some my not be based on reality while others may be real possibilities, but most are not probable. Yet we let those things cause us to lose heart or be afraid. It’s the borrowed trouble that usually takes its toll on us. It’s the borrowed trouble that overwhelms and distracts us from dealing with the real problems in life. It is the borrowed trouble that paralizes us with fear and stress and causes us to throw our hands up in defeat.

APPLICATION:

If I am stressed, it has to be becasue I am taking on more than God has given me. If my circumstances are too much to handle, it is because I have taken more than my share of the burden. If I am afraid I have most likely borrowed trouble somewhere along the way - trouble that may never happen or trouble that is God’s to cary. I need to concern myself with what I can do to navigate my circumstances today with God, and not borrow trouble for tomorrow.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for giving me what I can handle and for carrying the things that are beyond me. Help me to not borrow trouble by listening to rumors - whether they be from people who mean well or the enemy whispering doom & gloom into my ear. Help me to remember that every circumstance contains the potential for you to be glorified and for me to transformed into your image. Help me to face my days with faith in your word and not fear rooted in rumors. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!