The reason why I could never accuse my Dad of being anxious or worrying, is because in what I saw of him, he genuinely did not let things bother him.
I remember him saying it on a number of occasions and more than that, he embodied the attitude that if you can do something, then do it. If you cannot do anything, then there’s no point in being worried about it because that will not do anything about the situation.
That’s something that I find very commendable about my Dad.
What I also discovered was commendable was being able to prayerfully channel frustration to action – productive action, constructive action, fruitful action. How that works is finding yourself in a situation where there’s a lack of movement on a pressing situation. Praying about the situation is not about demanding things from God in bitter anger, but appealing to God in anguished frustration. As ever the challenge about that is that there needs to be an openness to where God does give an opportunity for fruitful, constructive and productive action to take place.
Take the classic example of Nehemiah, who got news about the situation of the city of his people and their lack of defences and vulnerability to attack. For all of what happened in his telling of his action, it was all based on his prayerful response to the frustrating and agonising situation. While there was nothing he could do about it, he could pray. As he continued to trust God the opportunity was opened for him to act.
It is only too easy to allow frustration to turn to bitterness and rancour. Going around complaining and groaning about the situation and only adding toxic verbiage to something that’s already unpleasant. In that cycle of cynicism nothing changes for the better especially perspective.
Praying about the situation and pouring out everything to God reminds us of that crucial role of hope in everything we go through. It does not give a blank cheque to suggest everything will be alright in a moment. It does remind us that there is someone we can turn to, not just to hear us, but to also prepare us to be in the best place to make the most of whatever opportunities open themselves to act.
This is why there is no need for anxiety – why worry when you can pray and when you pray you can believe and trust that you are heard.
And maybe given an opening to act.
(Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 