Neville Turley

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”  2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

Being a Christian does not guarantee one a trouble-free life on earth.  We have to wait a little longer for that.  However troublesome our worries may be, they pale into insignificance compared to the bliss that awaits us in eternity.

Jesus himself urges us not to worry.  “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me.” (John 14.1)

Our Lord is giving us sound advice but it is not advice our faint hearts find easy to follow.  So often we cast our burdens on the Lord in prayer, then in fearful anxiety snatch them back and begin worrying about the same things all over again. 

We need to be aware that whatever cares and worries we might have, there are other people worse off.  Helen Keller put it so well – “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”

Many people work themselves into a dither without any reasonable justification.  This is what happened to the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland.

“Are you content now?” said the caterpillar.

“Well I should like to be a little longer, sir, if you don’t mind,” said Alice, “three inches is such a wretched height to be.”

“It’s a very good height indeed!” said the caterpillar angrily, rearing itself upright as it spoke.  (It was exactly three inches high.)

This is what happens in everyday life.  We grow resentful worrying about material things and nothing makes us angrier than when people think or behave as though they are superior.  Our hearts fill with animosity and any potential fellowship with them is soured.

It is a great mistake.  We should neither allow ourselves to be distracted by material worries nor to be put down by offensive people. 

We were bought for a price and are precious in his sight.  God will help us through our crises and meet our every need.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of eternal life.  May the Holy Spirit empower us to live each day to your glory.  This we ask in Jesus name.  Amen