I don’t think there is a more destructive mode in a human being than the one that is triggered by “What if?”. It is only a small thought that is needed to trigger a whole series of terrible scenarios that can be played a replayed over so many times in an hour that we are left numb with “brain pain”.

In Time Magazine there is a small article entitled “Your Time” that deals with a host of situations that we face in life. One of these situations is Health. One person that is asked for an opinion is Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon. He said the following about uncertainty…

Quote…
One of the toughest things I do as a physician is deal with uncertainty. Doctors are often only as good as their diagnostic tests, and these tests aren’t perfect. Too often we are forced to say, “You might have cancer” – which leads to lots of fear, anxiety and lost sleep. It is often the beginning of arduous process of more tests and in some cases surgical procedures. The only way to be absolutely sure about cancer is to examine of the suspicious cells under a microscope.”
End quote…

Excellent observations. I have found the same when it comes to family problems and difficult relationships. It is so important to know all the factors before decisions are made and course of actions are taken. I only wish that in the ministry I could order a biopsy of the suspicious cells that are causing the problem. I wish that I could send the ‘patient’ for a Spiritual C.A.T. Scan. It would make it so much easier.

Uncertainty rules in most everything that we do. That is completely in the face of faith… but it is a fact that it rules in our lives far too often. The thoughts that it spawns are just plain weird.

Example…
For the last few days I have taken some more vacation time to help my son-in-law and daughter to renovate their bathroom. We came down to the placing of a new tub. The tub is bigger than the one that was there before. Simply put – it wouldn’t fit! Grrrr! Home Depot said that I could do it… and they would help. Grrr! The space was 60 inches and the new tub is 59 and ½ inches… the same as the old one – but it was wider and deeper.

After pulling and pushing and snorting and puffing… I gave up. My son-in-law looked at me in my frustrated state and suggested – “Maybe we could go into the bedroom and saw a hole in the wall and then push the tub through.” At that moment it seemed like a real good idea. It was better than taking the bricks off the outside and making a hole in the outside wall.

Uncertainty ruled at that moment. I was tired, hungry and ready to run to anywhere that didn’t have this kind of problem.

A simple thought came, “Call Tim.” So with one push of a cell phone button, added to a few hours later in the evening Pastor Tim came to the rescue. Together we did some pulling and pushing and snorting and puffing – and the new tub was in. We cut another hole in the wall board to allow more breathing room with the pulling and pushing.

When uncertainty rules – calling for help to the right source is so vital to sanity.
A call and visit to a doctor will settle some fear. A call to a friend when stuff falls apart in our family’s world is absolutely important. Simply talking to someone when doubt mounts, will be the beginning of peace coming back.

This past week I have been fire fighting with three families that are overwhelmed with what they face. Actually you can add another six families to that list – all have mounting problems. It must be the season or this juncture of life – all are in crisis in one way or another. I only wish that I could place them in a Time Machine and then whisk them by this moment to the better one up ahead.

Great TV Programs are developed over the complications that I face daily with people around me. “Doctor House” would be stunned by what we face regularly. The TV Programs “Heroes” would be so busy that their super heroes would be tired at the end of the day. But that is why so many watch these shows – they need a saviour – a person to step in and take control.

I want to make a stunning, earth shaking and absolutely life changing statement here… God is bigger than any problem and is always there. He loves you and me. He in turn fortifies what he does by placing people that are “Jesus” with skin on…as one child I know stated.

There is a simple thought that I would like to prescribe for you… Please envision me sitting with you and pulling out my prescription pad… I click my pen and write the following…

Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version)
Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I need this thought today – God is in charge. And – each day has enough trouble of its own.

How about you? I am praying with you… and for you.

God rules – not Uncertainty!

~ Pastor Murray ~