January 8, 1998
Dear Br. Robert:
I’m certain you know of people who prefer to dwell on or live in the past. They do this for many reasons, one of which is fear of the future which, without Christ in the heart, can be truly frightening.
If we allow it, the future may seem truly perplexing and cause
ceaseless worry and anxiety. Perhaps we fear some future calamity,
sickness, economic failure, job loss, bereavement, act of terrorism,
natural disaster, etc., and worry fills our lives with uncontrollable
foreboding and anxiety. How should we respond to these future
events. Should we adopt a devil-may-care attitude, live for today
only or should we make feverish plans and preparations to meet
all possible contingencies? The answer is neither.
While it is prudent to foreseen future events and make reasonable
preparations to meet them, ultimately we are powerless to control
the future. Therefore, our only safety is to trust ourselves,
our lives, our careers, our children, our spouses, our crops and
houses, to the Lord who foresees the end from the beginning.
He is never caught off guard by unforeseen events. From the calm
perspective of eternity, He surveys the world and its many cares
and perplexities and invites us to place our confidence in Him.
Do not make imaginary troubles or worries for yourself nor brood
over future perplexities, for we can worry yourself right out
of the hand of God. Our burdens are heavy enough without manufacturing
additional ones. Christ desires to lighten our burden, to ease
the cares and perplexities of the present and future. Worries
are heavy, for many, too heavy to bear, but Christ invites us
to place them on His broad capable shoulders that He may carry
them for us. Many people, burdened with fear and a nameless dread
of the future, unable to see relief or answers, resort to a cowardly
means or resolving these worries, and take their lives rather
then trusting themselves to the divine healer who understands
all about our problems.
Are we concerned about poverty, insufficient food, how to pay
the bills or the mortgage: are we concerned about our children,
a future promotion or potential job loss: do we fear ill health
or are we worried about an undiagnosed medical problem, take all
your worries and anxieties to Christ and leave them there. In
return He will gives us peace and joy that is a potent souther
of the frayed nerves. In Him is health and happiness. In Him are
all the resources of heaven that He offers you, without price,
on condition that we place our entire dependence and trust upon
Him.
He has never lost nor abandoned a soul who fully comites the keeping
of the life to Him. His strength and wisdom are not shortened
that He cannot resolve the most perplexing and troubling difficulties.
When all is darkness and despair, when everything seems hopeless
and lost, when not the faintest sign of recovery or resolution
seems to offer itself, then lift your head, still your quivering
and anxious heart and praise the Lord for the answer that is even
now on its way from the throne of grace. Do not wait for evidence
to praise the lord for answers to prayer. By your faithful thanksgiving,
you evidence your trust in His providence, thus freeing Him to
answer the very prayers that you offer in faith. It is faith that
frees the hand of God, it is worry and anxiety that closes the
windows of heaven so that Christ cannot pour out a blessing upon
your dry and parched soul. Trust him, He will not fail you.
Christ invites us to consider the lily. It does not worry about
the future, nor is it concerned over its growth, nor does it seek
a better place to grow, nor does it evince concern over future
circumstances, it confidently leaves all these concerns to the
Lord and simply grows. We would do well to imitate this beautiful
flower and grow up into Christ’s love through faith and confidence
in His keeping power. He will care for us better then we could
ever care for ourselves. Stop worrying, dear brother, and trust
your helpless soul to Christ.
There is sweet peace in trusting Christ, especially for those
nearing the end of life. Your life work is nearly finished, henceforth,
as Paul says, there is laid up for you a crown of rejoicing in
that day when Christ makes up His jewels. Be wise in all things
that your council to others may be prudent and full of grace.
May the Lord bless you, your brother in Christ.
Allen A. Benson