“When we are troubled, and can’t see a way out, it is only because we imagine that all solutions depend upon us.” (ODAT, 12 April)
Fear is calculating without God.
It is also predicated on the assumption that my experience of life depends only on circumstances around me plus the assumption that my reaction to those experiences is programmed so cannot be changed (or can be changed only very slowly and over time).
Fortunately, neither is the case.
Trusting God has certainly resulted in sweeping changes to my circumstances, and that’s agreeable.
But my experience really comes from my reaction to circumstances, and the programming can be changed.
What’s more, as soon as I turn to God, I find that relief is forthcoming, and radical changes in how I look at a situation can be brought about in moments.
It does not take years to change how I look at something. It takes willingness, and willingness is available instantly, 24 hours a day, as is the God who capitalises on that willingness to provide direction and strength.