I have loved ones who live on the coast of Florida. When Hurricane Matthew was headed that way, one of my loved ones lived in an area that called for a mandatory evacuation. The other lived near the river and there was concern of flooding. Three of them decided to ride out Hurricane Matthew in a town home 6 miles from the coast.
I had experienced Hurricane Hugo which was terrifying (I'm dating myself here) and I remembered what Hurricane Andrew did - flattened neighborhoods. And Katrina and Floyd. So I have a fear of hurricanes. They are powerful forces of nature that wreak havoc and destruction and kill people. I know what they can do and I think it is better to be safe than sorry, so I would have evacuated - even if it wasn't mandatory.
But these three decided to ride it out just 6 short miles from the coast. I was afraid for them.
The hurricane was supposed to hit their area at around midnight. And so I prayed. Off and on that Thursday I would think about how they were in the path of the hurricane and they should have evacuated and I hope they are okay. I could feel myself getting anxious and stressed. I lifted many prayers that day.
That evening I was meeting some friends for dinner and as I was driving there I was thinking about my loved ones. I was fretting. Again, I lifted up prayers for their safety.
And then it hit me. WHY AM I WORRYING?
HAS GOD NOT TOLD ME HE HEARS MY PRAYERS?
This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 John 5:14
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29
But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me.
Psalm 66:19-20
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
John 15:7
"And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Matthew 21:22
AND WHAT IF THINGS DIDN'T TURN OUT THE WAY I WANTED?
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
GOD'S WORD TELLS ME TO BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.
IT TELLS ME TO NOT FRET OR WORRY.
IT TELLS ME TO TRUST HIM.
WHAT WAS I DOING?
I say I believe God's Word.
I say I trust Him.
I say I accept His will.
DO I OR DON'T I?
I DID AND I DO.