By W. Thomas Smith, Jr.
I think a conversation with God might go something like this.
Me: Lord, I am so anxious and afraid.
GOD: “Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be dismayed” for I “will be WITH YOU wherever you go.”
Me: I know, God, but the world around me is scary and dark, and I fear things might not turn out so well.
GOD: But “I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.”
Me: Yes, Lord. But weren’t you saying that for the Babylonian exiles and not me?
GOD: “Whatever was written in former days was written for [your] instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures [you] might have hope.” That, and “My Word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Me: So then what should I do so I won’t be anxious and afraid?
GOD: “Trust” Me “with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding,” and “call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
Me: Yes, sir, but sometimes it seems like You are not there.
GOD: “I am with you ALWAYS.” And “you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you!” Remember, “draw near to” Me and I “will draw near to you.”
Me: Yes, Lord, but that’s easier said than done.
GOD: “Come to Me.” If you “are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Me: Yes, sir. I am so tired. And sometimes I wonder if anyone knows that, or even cares, or even knows who I am or what I am feeling.
GOD: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” And I am “near to the brokenhearted” and I will “save the crushed in spirit.” So “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Me: But how do I know you will always be there for me?
GOD: “I have loved you with an everlasting love” And “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Me: How do I know that for sure?
GOD: “I never lie” And “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” And “the sum of” My “Word is truth.”
Me: I will try to trust You and not be anxious, sir. Your Word says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
GOD: And “I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
– W. Thomas Smith Jr. is a New York Times bestselling editor and military technical advisor. Visit him online at uswriter.com.