Wednesday's Two-Minute Takeaway - Worried Sick for What?

I'm sure you've had the same experience, more than once! We worry ourselves sick, spend endless hours running scenarios in our mind and figuring out ways to control an outcome —- and then things don’t go as planned!? They go much better!

In Gen. 32-33, Jacob wrestled with God about a serious concern only to find himself surprised at the outcome, even though it was a direct answer to his prayer (Gen. 32:11, 33:1-11).

When we wrestle with God because we're worried sick, we're going to have to answer a question when we get our answer:

Will I walk after the flesh and trust myself, or will I walk after the faith and obey God? Two options only on the shelf, trust in God or trust in self.

Gen. 33:1-11. In Jacob, find yourself. Vacillating from faith to flesh and courage to cowardice. We ponder, plot, plan, pray, panic! And God had other plans!

Our worrying reveals our worship (Phil. 4:6-8). We're either going to trust God and put the problem on His plate in prayer and leave with peace or continue to plot, pray, and panic!

Jacob was given a new name: Israel. Now he has a choice - just like you and me: Walk after Jacob (the "old nature" / flesh), or the new  and trust God by the faith of Christ: Israel.

Let's Take the Message Home:

Don’t be surprised when your spiritual triumphs are followed by significant tests. Jacob has met with God face to face and will now reveal what he’s learned from the experience:

He still trusts — self.

Jacob shows us what walking after the flesh might look like: Trying to control outcomes, favor-itism (who’s loved least-most), sowing hard feelings, and trusting self not God. Sound familiar?

In what ways do you tend to walk after the flesh by attempting to control outcomes, be fearful, show favoritism, or trust self more than God?

Maybe it’s something else. Identify it, give it to God in prayer, and ask Him to keep it on His plate trust He is worthy of your trust (you'll know because you'll have peace).