the whatif's

When thinking about / worrying about the future (which I found myself doing a lot more this past year as I'm almost done with college..), I'm always so in need to be reminded of trusting in God's provision. {James 4:11-15} was the verse that I read (and re-read and re-read some more), but girltalk (by the Mahaney ladies) mentioned some good points to consider in their post today (though the intended audience is mothers, I think we can all benefit from it =))

{Matthew 6:33-34 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own}

{James 4:11-15 – Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow, You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.}

The Mahaneys write:

There is no grace for our imagination. That’s why our fearful imaginings produce bad fruit: anxiety, lack of joy, futile attempts to control.

There is no grace for our imagination. But God does promise sufficient, abundant grace for every real moment of our lives. That’s why the Proverbs 31 woman can “laugh at the future in contrast with being worried or fearful about it” (ESV Study Bible note on Pr. 31:25)

There are few things that I've always highlighted within the prov31 passage {v 12, 15, 25, 30}. But I guess I never truly noticed/meditated on it enough.

{Prov 31:25 - Strength and dignity are her clothings, And she smiles at the future.}